AC powered by On-board Onan 4000 vs Portable Honda 2000i

[mhopkins]

I have a 2014 Forest River Sunseeker 7130DS. I will be dry camping and want to use the air conditioner. It is rated at 13,500 BTUs. To supply power, I am wondering if I should use the on-board Onan 400 generator or am I better to use a portable Honda 2000ui 2,000 watt generator? I have been counseled to keep an eye on Onan generator hours used, so thought to consider the Honda. I know the Honda doesn't produce enough power to run everything in the RV at the same time. Still, might it be the way to go? Any wisdom to share?

[lbrunning]

Run your onan hard and long keep up on the scheduled maintenance and it will serve you well. these generators have more problems when you do not run them much.

[Hoglou]

X2, run the onan. Add a min 1 hour a month under load (IMHO 10 amps or better). Carbs do not do well with extend storage (gumming up), plus the issues of the 10% eth attracting moisture. And lastly do atleast a yearly oil change.

We can do the service at my house for rib eyes and makers mark....

[Total Loss]

The 2000 Honda will have a problem starting the A/C Compressor...Even if it does, it will be working...HARD.
I ran a 9600 BTU A/C with one for a time. 13500- may work if you have the 30 amp Honda...but it will really work.
And you cannot run anything else.

[Total Loss]

Use the Honda after you shut off the A/C. That's what I do. I use both.

[mhopkins]

Originally Posted by mhopkins

I have a 2014 Forest River Sunseeker 7130DS. I will be dry camping and want to use the air conditioner. It is rated at 13,500 BTUs. To supply power, I am wondering if I should use the on-board Onan 400 generator or am I better to use a portable Honda 2000ui 2,000 watt generator? I have been counseled to keep an eye on Onan generator hours used, so thought to consider the Honda. I know the Honda doesn't produce enough power to run everything in the RV at the same time. Still, might it be the way to go? Any wisdom to share?

Thank you one and all ... very helpful! Mark

[Rookiewood]

Originally Posted by lbrunning

Run your onan hard and long keep up on the scheduled maintenance and it will serve you well. these generators have more problems when you do not run them much.

This is a true statesman. Try to run it at least 30-60 minutes per month.
You will have none or very little problems.
Also use ONLY marine fuel to avoid problems.

[Cold Lake Kid]

I have an on-board Onan 4000 in my Forest River 2300 and I run my AC on it.
I only use my little Honda 2000 when I don't need the AC and just want to run lights and TV etc.
As Ibrunning mentions, use the gennies to keep the carburetors happy.
(I store mine in the motor home all winter, gas topped up and gas line stabilizer added, but I also run them and the truck engine for a bit every couple of weeks.
Solar panels on the dash to keep a small current running into all the batteries.)

[CHICKDOE]

run the onan! as said before run it monthly and change oil yearly. they are built to run and be used. i'm sure the honda is also. but the onan is built it, doesn't need to be carried out, and if you have an automatic transfer switch, doesn't require hauling out a cable.

[garbonz]

Get a micro air easy start module and you can use the Honda or reduce stress on the onan.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by lbrunning

Run your onan hard and long keep up on the scheduled maintenance and it will serve you well. these generators have more problems when you do not run them much.

Ditto

The reason I have a toy hauler is to never have to drag a generator around with me, or carry a can of gas for it.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by lbrunning

Run your onan hard and long keep up on the scheduled maintenance and it will serve you well. these generators have more problems when you do not run them much.

Ditto

The reason I have a toy hauler is to never have to drag a generator around with me, or carry a can of gas for it.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Rookiewood

This is a true statesman. Try to run it at least 30-60 minutes per month.
You will have none or very little problems.
Also use ONLY marine fuel to avoid problems.

What is marine fuel? Mine runs off my gas tank, the same gas as the M/H engines does. Just start under full load once a month like you said, even the dealer says that, and change the oil every 150 hrs.

[Rookiewood]

Marine fuel is gasoline without ethanol. If you don’t use your generator or any other internal combustion engine constantly the ethanol will evaporate. This leaves water that can rust and also helps to gummed up the carburetors.
Also ethanol has 28% less energy density than gasoline.

[Witch Doctor]

That would be pretty expensive to fill my gas tank with it holds 58 gals and that is what feeds the generator, just starting it once a month would stop your generators carburetor from varnishing.

Originally Posted by Rookiewood

Marine fuel is gasoline without ethanol. If you don’t use your generator or any other internal combustion engine constantly the ethanol will evaporate. This leaves water that can rust and also helps to gummed up the carburetors.
Also ethanol has 28% less energy density than gasoline.

[Rookiewood]

That is for generators that do not share the gas tank with the RV.
Other than that you will be constantly using de gas ....!
Sorry for the confusion.

[swuebbels]

Originally Posted by garbonz

Get a micro air easy start module and you can use the Honda or reduce stress on the onan.

+1. The easy start works great but after a month I sold the Honda and gas can because I didn’t want to lose the storage space. It required.

[RECONUSMC]

The honda will barely run the AC alone unless yo get an EASY START on your AC. I think you should look at the 3500 unit and allow yourself some spare wattage. Check these out. https://www.microair.net/products/ea...nt=30176048267 and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJWdSfmUDKQ