Posted 2013-05-15 9:40 PM (#152025) Subject: Last Generator question... I hope.
Member
Posts: 37
After weeks of research and getting super high prices I have one last try at trying to get a generator mounted in our trailer.
Manager mounted, rear tack mounted is out of the question and looks like a roof mounted unit is too since everyone thinks I need to buy a 1000.00 hay rack to mount the generator.
We have a escape door on the first stall (where my portable generator sets) with no manger. We mainly use the first stall for storage when going to shoots or camping.
The question is has anyone every mounted and hardwired a generator in this location? I am thinking of mounting it right in the door and having a local metal fab shop build me a box to completely inclose it like a 3rd manger. I spoke with fab shop about doing this and he claims it can be done and would not cost but a couple of hundred bucks using alum. and he also said he would be able to add me alittle more storage above the gen. box... Pretty much from the inside of the trailer the front stall will look to have a manger just like the back 2 stalls.
I am going with an LP unit, because we already have an LP line running half way down the frame to the RVQ grill.
Posted 2013-05-15 10:20 PM (#152031 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Member
Posts: 37
I agree.... They are telling me that in using the front stall and building a box around the genset would be the same as mounting it in the manager other than the generator would be mounted on the floor instead of 16" above the floor like they are in the mangers. The gen I am looking at is already fully enclosed and the exhaust exits out the bottom, which would be routed through the floor....
Just do not have the money to buy a new trailer right now and trying to make do with what we have.
Posted 2013-05-16 8:55 AM (#152044 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
I do have a question.Will the genset be behind the escape door? And will the door have louvers or vents put in it?Seems to me the genset would run out of oxygen if in a closed box, and the closed area with a vapor like LP, makes my hair stand up. It could accumulate and be a problem. It seems that the exhaust going down underneath works, as that is how ours is fastened. But ours is isolated from the main part of the trailer by an enclosed box with vents on the outside, and the intake is in the area of the vent louvers.Other than those concerns, it sounds like it might work ok for you.
Posted 2013-05-16 9:11 AM (#152045 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
since you have already talked to a fab. shop just have them build you a platform to mount on the roof and solve all of your problems and be safe, most gen sets weigh around 200 pounds so it really does not take that much to get in done right, you can also put the fuel tank up there if you use the right tank and hardware for the fuel lines, make sure you have a rollover valve in the tank no matter where it is located.
Posted 2013-05-16 11:37 AM (#152052 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Veteran
Posts: 259 Location: Topeka Ks
A few years ago I was in the same place as you. I wanted to add a generator to my trailer, of course on a budget. I decided to install it on the roof and save the valuable floor space. I was lucky and bought a used Onan 4KY which kept my total install out of pocket cost under $3,500.
Posted 2013-05-16 12:08 PM (#152055 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
what kind of price have you found on a generator and which brand, when you do buy do not forget the transfer switch to go with it all, also what are you going to do for a fuel tank?? I had Boyds build mine but I do now there is someone in the Dallas area that builds them.
Posted 2013-05-17 9:32 AM (#152088 - in reply to #152044) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Member
Posts: 37
Originally written by siseley on 2013-05-16 8:55 AM
I do have a question.Will the genset be behind the escape door? And will the door have louvers or vents put in it?Seems to me the genset would run out of oxygen if in a closed box, and the closed area with a vapor like LP, makes my hair stand up. It could accumulate and be a problem. It seems that the exhaust going down underneath works, as that is how ours is fastened. But ours is isolated from the main part of the trailer by an enclosed box with vents on the outside, and the intake is in the area of the vent louvers.Other than those concerns, it sounds like it might work ok for you.
YES will have vented door just the same as when they are installed in mangers, will also have a vent in the floor as well which mangers do not have, plus the exhaust will be fixed mounted with NO FLEX pipe unlike mangers.
Posted 2013-05-17 9:44 AM (#152089 - in reply to #152055) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Member
Posts: 37
Originally written by kooner on 2013-05-16 12:08 PM
since you have already talked to a fab. shop just have them build you a platform to mount on the roof and solve all of your problems and be safe, most gen sets weigh around 200 pounds so it really does not take that much to get in done right, you can also put the fuel tank up there if you use the right tank and hardware for the fuel lines, make sure you have a rollover valve in the tank no matter where it is located.
what kind of price have you found on a generator and which brand, when you do buy do not forget the transfer switch to go with it all, also what are you going to do for a fuel tank?? I had Boyds build mine but I do now there is someone in the Dallas area that builds them.
I did get a price of just doing a platform and was told about $500.00 but the sales people with the gensets tell me with using LP being mounted on the roof is hard on them....
My fuel will be coming from my 2 large LP tanks that are already mounted on the front of the trailer. I already have the black iron pipe run half way down the trailer frame the was used for the RVQ grill.
Was priced $2300. for a Generac Quietpack 40LP including the transfer switch, remote harness and right at $4000.00 for the ONAN 3600LP including the transfer switch, remote harness and tailpipe......
Posted 2013-05-19 8:11 AM (#152133 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: MS
Can you possibly mount the generator on a slide, like a drawer, that you can pull out to run? I saw one like this mounted in the the back tack...it got it out of the trailer for air and maybe a little less noise.
Posted 2013-05-19 8:58 AM (#152139 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
since you already have a portable generator why not save the time and money and just put it the back of your truck? we have ours on the roof and it always seems to have problems of some sort and we have a honda eu3000 in the truck and it gets used more than the onan.
Posted 2013-05-20 10:31 AM (#152157 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Regular
Posts: 96 Location: Grapeland, Texas
I used to have a stock combo Sundowner that I installed an Onan 5500 LP in the front left corner across from the escape door. It was mounted on some red iron to put it up off the floor for fresh air. The exhaust was thru the floor. It worked great, no problems. When I got a slant load trailer there was no room to put it anywhere so we mounted it in the back of my pickup, with two propane bottles next to it. He put a receptacle up by the trailer plug in for the generator and fixed another receptacle for me to plug into for the remote start so I wouldn't have to come out to the truck and start it. It was a pretty neat set up. I have since sold that truck and took it out of it and have it for sale. We don't use a generator that much so didn't see why we should remount it. We have a portable one we will use if needed. Just won't have the luxury of being able to start it from inside. That does spoil you, lol.
Posted 2013-05-20 10:36 AM (#152158 - in reply to #152139) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Regular
Posts: 96 Location: Grapeland, Texas
Originally written by kooner on 2013-05-19 8:58 AM
since you already have a portable generator why not save the time and money and just put it the back of your truck? we have ours on the roof and it always seems to have problems of some sort and we have a honda eu3000 in the truck and it gets used more than the onan.
Kooner, does that generator work pretty good for ya'll? What all can you run with it? We have a portable one but it's kind of loud, not as bad as some, but we were thinking about getting the eu3000 Honda sometime in the future. I have read that you can get a remote start for them and have wondered how that works. Anyone use a remote?
Posted 2013-05-20 10:43 AM (#152159 - in reply to #152139) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Member
Posts: 37
Originally written by kooner on 2013-05-19 8:58 AM
since you already have a portable generator why not save the time and money and just put it the back of your truck? we have ours on the roof and it always seems to have problems of some sort and we have a honda eu3000 in the truck and it gets used more than the onan.
That is what we are doing now, either set in in the first stall by the escape door or on the bed of the truck.... Still the same problem, during the summer months when using the a/c and running the gen all night, someone has to either stay up until 11pm/12pm or get up at 5am to refuel the generator. The only other option would be finding someone to build a larger fuel tank for my portable Onan P4300i and keeping it.
Posted 2013-05-20 10:49 AM (#152161 - in reply to #152158) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Member
Posts: 37
The only reason I went with the Onan P4300i unit was because I got it 700.00 cheaper than the Honda unit and the Onan has more power but is the same noise level.
Posted 2013-05-20 11:25 AM (#152162 - in reply to #152025) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
my honda has a wireless remote start and will run about 12 hours on a fill up ( Hays equipment makes the remote start for the HOnda 3000) when our onan will start if will run about 2 days on triple the fuel.neither one of them will run and ac and microwave at the same time.
Posted 2013-05-20 11:42 AM (#152164 - in reply to #152162) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by kooner on 2013-05-20 11:25 AM
my honda has a wireless remote start and will run about 12 hours on a fill up ( Hays equipment makes the remote start for the HOnda 3000) when our onan will start if will run about 2 days on triple the fuel.neither one of them will run and ac and microwave at the same time.
What size is your Onan... Is it rated at 4000 watts on Gasoline, derated to 3600 on LP or Natural Gas..?
Posted 2013-05-20 11:46 AM (#152165 - in reply to #152162) Subject: RE: Last Generator question... I hope.
Member
Posts: 37
Originally written by kooner on 2013-05-20 11:25 AM
my honda has a wireless remote start and will run about 12 hours on a fill up ( Hays equipment makes the remote start for the HOnda 3000) when our onan will start if will run about 2 days on triple the fuel.neither one of them will run and ac and microwave at the same time.
That was another big plus with the Onan P4300i, we can run everything in the trailer with no problems.....
Last Generator question... I hope.
