……our original On an Power Drawer was a cutting edge generator when our coaches were assembled. A “pancake” block design, a wwII APU design has been very reliable…..but that was 45 years ago! When any mechanism made by man ages, quirks and issue cause things to not work. Add more age and more parts get closer to their envelope of life enough issues cause the generator to not be as reliable as when it was new.
Generators need to run long periods of time flawlessly…….. That’s hard. So when we put so much into bringing the motorhome drive train, interior and body…….something must be done to make power as useful and fresh as the rest of the coach.
You COULD try and bring the Onan back to a useful state…….some will but usually a different unit needs to be considered.
For the past 20 years and still the Honda EV-6010 has been our go to unit
here’s another one going into a 26′ coach (putting one in a 23′ coach is a bit more involved and the 4000watt EV-4010 is the one to use).
Yes, the Honda units ARE discontinued and now aging themselves but with good parts and expertise support thru Pinellas Power Products…..look them up……these machines have the reliability put in to have them still viable.
Onan IS building a 2.8 and a 4k unit both “box style” units will fit. I’ve just not made the jump to that style of unit. Many have had good results. It’s hard to work on and maintain to me but hey…..who am I …..opinions differ.
I know the draw is hard but I will tell you those low cost “stand by” generators found even at Costco. Generally they are loud and need open air flow to keep them from overheating. A “standby” unit is not made for continuous duty….its to run a staple gun or a saw not to cook a turkey! I couldn’t resist the low price myself trying to make one of them work…actually I tried 2…….nope, just wasn’t as good…..would not do what’s needed. Good luck if you wanna try…..
With lining the generator compartment with a sound deadening material
the higher rpm (3600) is quiet inside. The Honda fits well, does not need a slide with all serviceable items on the facing side of the unit…..really nice to maintain.
We’ve been doing this mod as I said for 20 years with very good results……..but progress moves on so, what’s next?
Today, all ideas are being investigated. Soon we are investigating some of these new solar/ battery/ inverter systems. It’s said today…..the technology works. We need to see…….stay tuned but until proven I’d still rather have a Honda……..hey but that’s just me.……..
“Gone with the Wind” seats……the curtains were used to cover them! Is this original….retro…..odd….well it would be hard to see stains! Santos sitting there at his sewing table has his work cut out…..see him there way in the back of his stacked space
it takes professionals like him to do this work
so from all the guys here we hope you have a good day……together, these guys will make things happen here…..and that beat goes on. Thanks for dropping by…..talk to ya tomorrow
Check the door side of the lower entry door hinder……if yours has a crack between the 2 bolts…….stay tuned for our door straightening video coming soon………
I’m wondering if some GMC RV folk aren’t starting to get like a LOT of Oldsmobile folk. If you belong to the Oldsmobile Club of America, or the Hurst/Olds Club of America, and say, you have a Cutlass 442 and want to modify it to bring it up to current standards of power, braking, etc., and do other “resto-mods” to it, I guarantee that you WILL be CRUCIFIED by most of the others online, number one, for even suggesting it, and, number two, if you dare DO IT, it will be “wrong” somehow!! I say KUDOS to what you and your Crew do, and that you all understand that certain things HAVE to be done, if these “Magnificent Beasts” not only survive, but THRIVE! I don’t even own one of these, but my son does, and you have helped him start his Project and probably don’t even remember. He hopes to bring his 1977 back to you just before he goes on to hike The Pacific Crest next year. You’all gutted his RV, now he’s not only totally converted everything inside, but now everything (and I mean EVERYTHING!) is either “voice activation and/or proximity sensor” activated. Even his large-screen TV pops up from a counter-top. I think he’s going to bring the RV back to you for some other “upgrades” that he only trusts you to do next year, so I hope you can fit him into your “Queue”. Thanks for your integrity and for striving for continuous improvement for these vehicles!
I hear you, I was into fat fender Molar in 1991 when I jumped ship. Yes, this is a vintage classic but it’s also your house…..do you listen to 8track? Avocado sink, green plaid …..no, the value in a house is how well appointed and comfortable it is to live in but still feel you are doing the hot rod classic tho goto. Cost the same to do it but will be worth more and be more enjoyable which is why you got it in the first place. You did not get a motorhome as an investment…..the investment is in your enjoyment and pleasure …….