onan fuel consumption

S

skip hartline

Member
Sep 9, 2011
518
5
18
Evening all,

I know this topic has probably been hit a few times but could not find a definitive answer in the search. Since my onan will be used if we loose power
with Dorian coming our way I'm curious what to expect in consumption with say a medium load like one roof AC or the lights and frig and tv in my house
running off of it. It really seems to be very little when using it going down the road. Any numbers would be welcome.

Skip Hartline
--
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
 
> Evening all,
>
> I know this topic has probably been hit a few times but could not find a definitive answer in the search. Since my onan will be used if we loose
> power with Dorian coming our way I'm curious what to expect in consumption with say a medium load like one roof AC or the lights and frig and tv in
> my house running off of it. It really seems to be very little when using it going down the road. Any numbers would be welcome.
>
> Skip Hartline

Skip,

The actual numbers are in the book out in my coach (123' away, but it is the end of a long day) and as I recall, my BF(4kW) ran the 15.5kBTU carrier
for 0.46 gallons per hour. Unloaded it burned 0.23GPH.

I know that this is real close and I will correct it tomorrow if it matters.

Matt

--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
From total way back memory, the number .8 gal /hr on a 6kW at 50% load is I what I remember. Based on Matt's 4k numbers that seems plausible.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
I always figured a gallon or less per hour with my 6000 watt Onan.

Emery Stora

>

>> Evening all,
>>
>> I know this topic has probably been hit a few times but could not find a definitive answer in the search. Since my onan will be used if we loose
>> power with Dorian coming our way I'm curious what to expect in consumption with say a medium load like one roof AC or the lights and frig and tv in
>> my house running off of it. It really seems to be very little when using it going down the road. Any numbers would be welcome.
>>
>> Skip Hartline
>
> Skip,
>
> The actual numbers are in the book out in my coach (123' away, but it is the end of a long day) and as I recall, my BF(4kW) ran the 15.5kBTU carrier
> for 0.46 gallons per hour. Unloaded it burned 0.23GPH.
>
> I know that this is real close and I will correct it tomorrow if it matters.
>
> Matt
>
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I have found out from our customers that the MSD CDS or the Pertronic units
we supply lowers the consumption as the stock system is on the weak side.

On Wed, Aug 28, 2019 at 7:42 PM John R. Lebetski via Gmclist <

> From total way back memory, the number .8 gal /hr on a 6kW at 50% load is
> I what I remember. Based on Matt's 4k numbers that seems plausible.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Evening all,

I know this topic has probably been hit a few times but could not find a definitive answer in the search. Since my onan will be used if we loose power
with Dorian coming our way I'm curious what to expect in consumption with say a medium load like one roof AC or the lights and frig and tv in my house
running off of it. It really seems to be very little when using it going down the road. Any numbers would be welcome.

Skip Hartline
--
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
———-1
 
Yep I agree, I installed the pertronics kit I got from you a while back and definitely made a big difference.
Skip Hartline
--
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
 
Years ago I did a consumption test on the stock Onan 6K in my GMC. Using a somewhat precisely measured quart of whatever gasoline I had in the mowers
gas cans, I warmed up the Onan and then I put the fuel supply hose from the Onan's fuel pump into the measured fuel container and, using a timer app,
measured the time until the quart was gone.

If I remember correctly, the consumption was 1/2 gallon/hour running one A/C and 3/4 gallon/hour running two A/C's.

I tried to find my original thread on this subject but it apparently was so long ago that it's gone from the GMCNet archives.

--
Bob Heller
1974 X-Canyonlands 26ft
Original 455 except for timing chain, Rockwell intake, valve covers.
Ferrara air bags. 147k miles.
Winter Springs FL
 
Thank you all for your replies.

Skip Hartline
--
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
 
Bob,
A good test, but not that close as we do not know how often the compressors
were kicking on,etc.
Just a BS that was drilled into our head in engineering.

On Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 5:54 PM Skip Hartline via Gmclist <

> Thank you all for your replies.
>
> Skip Hartline
> --
> 74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
> 3.7 FD, Manny Tranny,
> Springfield Distributor,
> 2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
"Bob,
A good test, but not that close as we do not know how often the compressors
were kicking on,etc.
Just a BS that was drilled into our head in engineering."

Jim,

Central Florida in the summertime is hot and really humid, the compressors never stopped. I left the GMC door open and the stats on full cold trying
to get maximum fuel consumption. What I should have also done that day is a no-load test to see how much fuel the Onan uses just to keep itself
spinning. That's a project for another day.


--
Bob Heller
1974 X-Canyonlands 26ft
Original 455 except for timing chain, Rockwell intake, valve covers.
Ferrara air bags. 147k miles.
Winter Springs FL
 
Ok, now that I know. thanks.

On Fri, Aug 30, 2019 at 5:06 PM Bob Heller via Gmclist <

> "Bob,
> A good test, but not that close as we do not know how often the compressors
> were kicking on,etc.
> Just a BS that was drilled into our head in engineering."
>
>
> Jim,
>
> Central Florida in the summertime is hot and really humid, the compressors
> never stopped. I left the GMC door open and the stats on full cold trying
> to get maximum fuel consumption. What I should have also done that day is
> a no-load test to see how much fuel the Onan uses just to keep itself
> spinning. That's a project for another day.
>
>
>
> --
> Bob Heller
> 1974 X-Canyonlands 26ft
> Original 455 except for timing chain, Rockwell intake, valve covers.
> Ferrara air bags. 147k miles.
> Winter Springs FL
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GMCMI Fall 2026 Rally
Get your shine on at www.cruzingear.co

Share this page

Share this page
Top Bottom
Back