Generator replacement options

[Billygoat]

So my old Onan is starting fine but at this point not supplying any voltage to the interior or air con. I will go through the trouble shooting but I’ve been eying new ones. Is there any reasonably priced generators for replacement? I really don’t run the generator often but thought I could keep it portable so I could use it in other applications. For instance, HF carries some reasonable priced generators with a 30amp plug and are portable.

 

[Jimkanomata]

I prefer to not needing to move around when Grace wants to use a microwave when we prep for lunch or other things when were crossing the states.
We have the knowhow on these Onan units and can help you should you need any trouble shooting or parts.

 

[RvRev2]

From what I have read here on the Forum, a common issue for those wishing to replace their Onan with a different brand generator is the height of the generator compartment. The Onan is short, and fits. Most other generators are too tall to fit in the spot. Jim Bounds fixed this issue in his GMC by modifying the compartment to make it taller, which in turned made his rear bed sit much taller in the back.
It might not be a bad idea to measure the compartment dimensions, especially the height, and then compare with the HF generator you were looking at.

 

[Billygoat]

From what I have read here on the Forum, a common issue for those wishing to replace their Onan with a different brand generator is the height of the generator compartment. The Onan is short, and fits. Most other generators are too tall to fit in the spot. Jim Bounds fixed this issue in his GMC by modifying the compartment to make it taller, which in turned made his rear bed sit much taller in the back.
It might not be a bad idea to measure the compartment dimensions, especially the height, and then compare with the HF generator you were looking at.

Yep, was wondering about the height of the generator compartment. May just turn that into storage and carry the generator some other way.

 

[RF_Burns]

Keep in mind that portable generators are not designed in to be in a compartment and especially not an enclosed compartment, so you can't use it to power the roof AC when running down the road. RV generators like the Onan pull in cooling air and blow it out of the compartment.

 

[Marco K.]

We have a water-cooled Honda EV6010 generator in our 1973 GMC. There's about 2 inches of clearance from the top of the unit to the top of the compartment. There's also about 6 inches of clearance at the back.

Our house battery was moved to the front of the coach on the driver's side and a second Marine grade AGM deep cycle battery was wired in-parallel with the first. Although it's not seen in this picture, we have a screwed-in plywood partition with a large hole to allow the cooling fan to circulate air. I store our spare coolant, ATR, and other fluids back there.



The unit weighs 202lbs (92Kg) and is bolted to the floor of the compartment. Servicing or repair involves removing 6 bolts and the exhaust/muffler assembly and removing the unit from the coach. I use a Vevor scissor jack as a support after I've slid it out of the compartment to work on it. It's a lot easier than using a static staging platform, I found.

View attachment motorcycle-lift-tvc2.m4v



Working on it is straightforward. In the USA, new stators from Honda distribution channels are no-longer available, however, most parts are available as used, reconditioned, or new from other sources.

Paul at Pinellas Power Products has an excellent YouTube series on troubleshooting and repair of the Honda EV6010. I have also found that the shop manual is quite useful when dealing with the occasional no-start issue.

 

[Kendra]

Set of 23 EV6010 installation photos by jsharpe, GMCPhotos.com