I'm about to do something dumb...

[vocoder]

I'm going to dry camp in the Southern California desert this weekend. Highs during the day are going to be about 110, falling to about 80 at night.

My RV has never been in conditions like that, and I'm curious if the Onan 4KW generator will have any problems running during the day and night in that heat?


Thanks!

[TURBS]

You should be fine.
With the heat you may only be able to run the a/c but that's the plan right?

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "24 nights"

[Canadiancrew]

I would be shading the generator to keep the sun off it and therefore help it to stay cooler. Assuming you don't have it in a compartment.

[oldgold]

I would keep generator access hatch door open ( NOT the green actual generator cover, but the trailer door) while running and change the oil per the manual to whatever it calls for for above 100 degree temps. I can't remember off the top of my head what weight oil it called for for above 100 degrees.

[B and B]

Here at the Goshen Rally they were running the Onans on the Berkshires, they pulled them out on sides to give them more air circulation in close quarters.

[RandyLee]

My built in Onan discharges all the hot air straight down and in hot weather I lay a couple boards on the ground at an angle to deflect the hot air to the rear away from where the air intake is up front. Not sure how much it helps but sure can't hurt.

[j free]

Don't forget extra oil When you run it for long periods they will burn oil. Also make sure the cooing fan on the Underside is clean.

[Tom48]

Be sure to keep your Electric water heater OFF and the Turn off AUTO on the frig to keep that off the Generator too. In that kind of heat I doubt you will even need any water heater, but that takes some of the load off the Gen to be OFF electric and if needed then on LPG

[vocoder]

Just wanted to follow up on my original post and thank each of you that responded. The generator worked great, and ran under the load of the A/C for probably 10 straight hours each day before it cooled enough to cycle off. And Tom48 was right - the ambient heat and probably some of that generator heat blowing by the fresh tank all day made for a warm shower without the heater!

[oldgold]

vocoder, how much fuel did it burn in a ten hour period? We are going to Bristol this weekend and it will be our first trip solely depending on the Onan instead of my old faithful Hondas. Just trying to gauge and conserve my fuel.

[vocoder]

Oldgold - I don't have an exact number since it runs off my fuel station tank, but based on the gauge I'd say it took about 6 gallons to run it for 12/14 hours a day.

I took an external generator too, and ran the A/C on that during the night to 1) give the Onan a break and 2) so I didn't have to listen to the Onan which is right below my bed. That one ran for about 10 hours at a time on a 4 gallon tank.

[oldgold]

That's actually what I needed to know. Thanks! I was going to take one of my Honda 2000s as well and swap over for the same reason. I'm thinking a single 2000 could take over the HVAC if I keep it from cycling on and off.