"permanent" install of "portable" generator

[1derer]

Is anybody using their backup/portable generator while mounted in the vehicle?

Since I am presently without a genny but do have a genny compartment and figure I only need 3000 watts to handle startup of one roof AC or one side-by-side refrigerator, I thought maybe a gas Honda EU3000iSA would suffice. Gas gennys can be made to run on propane with an after market kit. This particular genny has elecric start, and apparently the manual choke isn't needed for propane. So it sounds feasible to me that it could be mounted in the vehicle, but Honda says it needs 3 ft of airspace around it. (They also said they're not into making their genny's work on propane.) Be that as it may, has anybody overcome whatever obstacles there may be to running a portable genny as a "grown up RV genny" in their RV? Since it's light, it's nice to be able to take it out of the RV to run with minimal noise/vibration, or to take it out to use elsewhere for other things. Or even just to have along as a backup. But it would also be nice if it could actually be the genny in an RV. (This line of thought was inspired by the thread "Do you use a spare/backup generator?" at
http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.co...ead.php?t=6972 )

[Turbokitty]

With propane over $4.00/gallon here, I would nix the propane idea... Plus propane is not very efficient either. I have two 12.5 KW diesel Kohlers possibly for sale... Shipping would be murder to AZ though.

I just picked up a 7500W commercial ONAN diesel. It is like brand new and very quiet. It was virtually spotless inside. Came out of a mobile broadcast van that had caught fire and burnt up the inside dash area. Gen. was untouched. It is what I had been looking for for quite sometime It was a STEAL for $1000.00 and it wasn't even stolen!!

You should see the digital full auto control panel that came with it too!

Can't wait to redo the gen. bay on the FC and put it in.

[rwoody]

deal!!!!!!!!!!!

[DTW1086@cox.net]

The previous owner of my 80 FC-31 SB had a Porter-Cable 10KW Generator powered by a 20HP Honda V-twin installed in place of the original.
When it runs it is fine. I have done quite a bit of rewiring to get it to work like it is supposed to and am still having problems with the engine, but those are mostly carburetor/fuel related.
It has a 14 inch electric fan installed at the radiator opening to bring air in and a squirrel cage blower to take heat out.
I'll try to post some pics later today.
Dave

[Turbokitty]

The most important thing is to insure that no matter what generator is installed and/or how, it is imperative that the exhaust is routed out from under the bus no matter what.

[DTW1086@cox.net]

That is one place mine was done right. Connects into the original exhaust out the drivers side.

[Turbokitty]

Dave,

It is amazing to me to hear from and talk to people that have significant fuel/carburetor problems all with the advent of ethanol tainted gasoline. I would use the word enhanced but I think tainted is mo fitt'n . Them Honda engines are pretty well bullet proof (can I use the word bullet here?). I have found that fuel line degradation is frequently the primary culprit.

How is the noise factor with your current installation?

[DTW1086@cox.net]

Not sure where it went but I lost a reply someplace.
I'll try it again.

Ryan,
I think you may be right about deteriorating fuel lines, and I may be getting some gunk out of the bottom of the tank too.

Noise is not too bad and is better since I re-insulated the compartment cover. I think when I get the rest of the compartment re-insulated it will be better yet.

[Gene Mehr]

I have heen trough every thing with my factory 6.5 and hate it. I have new radiator fuel pump, feul lines replaced, cleaned the feul tank, and plumbed it in to the main engeine radiator. done this done that and it still will dye when you have the ac on when u need it most in the heat in the cold it will run for days , I will get it just cant figure out how it made it this long and im the guy that has to figure it out. I can say it has got better evey time I put cash in to it but my paicence is runnig out.

[Ed Wimberley]

Gene

Runs when cold shuts down hot.
Sounds like maybe a vapor lock condition possible fuel line to close to hot exaust. Just a thought