Posted 2014-01-30 12:59 PM (#157251) Subject: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Location: Virginia
Im looking at a used 1995 horse trailer with a built in Onan gasoline generator. the hour meter says 350 hours, is that high, low, ? . Anyone out there with personal experience with Onan generators? how many hours do they last on average? Are they reliable, what if anything tends to break on them? etc.. this one has a model number of 4BGEFA26100K, its rated at 4KW. I would be using it for the AC unit this summer and its very hot and humid where I ride. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Posted 2014-01-30 1:45 PM (#157252 - in reply to #157251) Subject: RE: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
You will really enjoy that ONAN generator. They are reliable and can run forever. The low hours are likely correct. In general, they don't get used that much. Regular maintenance should keep it going for a long time.
Posted 2014-01-30 9:37 PM (#157259 - in reply to #157251) Subject: RE: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Veteran
Posts: 259 Location: Topeka Ks
The Onan holds the market share. The hours are in line with the age of the trailer. It will also last for 20 more if maintained. There are two important things to do; check the oil before each use and run it an hour per month.
Posted 2014-01-31 10:21 AM (#157261 - in reply to #157251) Subject: RE: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Regular
Posts: 78
That seems low to me. A 1995 with 350 hours, assuming the generator is the same age as the trailer? I'd be worried it hadn't been used enough to keep everything working. I was told to run mine at least an hour once a month to keep the rings seated that produce electricity and everything else lubed up. I just bought a 2006 with 500 hours and that was the lowest I saw. One trailer I looked at was a 2007 with 1500 hours.
Posted 2014-01-31 5:30 PM (#157267 - in reply to #157251) Subject: RE: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 659 Location: Rayne, LA
Just to add--- run each month with some part of a load ( powering something ) to exercise the electricity producing part of it not just the engine IMHO
Posted 2014-02-01 9:36 PM (#157286 - in reply to #157251) Subject: RE: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I have a 2001 that has 350 hours on it, and I run it once a week! It has been great... I keep StaBil in the gasoline and use Mobil 1 synthetic oil and it has just been wonderful!
Posted 2014-02-17 11:49 PM (#157542 - in reply to #157251) Subject: RE: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Member
Posts: 19
Location: Bend, Oregon
I bought a 2007 Trails West with a built in Onan Generator with 31 hours on it - the whole trailer looks like it was barely used :) It is propane, and we were told that with propane, it does not need to be run for an hour each month - that only applies to gas generators...does this sound right? Pro's, cons, or advice for the propane generators? Too late to change, but would be nice to know if there are any tricks to using it.
Posted 2014-02-18 8:23 AM (#157549 - in reply to #157251) Subject: RE: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 659 Location: Rayne, LA
One of the main reasons to run it is to exercise the generating portion of the unit, not just the motor side. Without getting into a lot of detail, it is really a good idea to run it on a regular basis.
Posted 2014-02-18 10:11 AM (#157554 - in reply to #157549) Subject: RE: ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
Member
Posts: 19
Location: Bend, Oregon
Originally written by cajunmuleman on 2014-02-18 6:23 AM
One of the main reasons to run it is to exercise the generating portion of the unit, not just the motor side. Without getting into a lot of detail, it is really a good idea to run it on a regular basis.
ONAN Generator -- are they good, bad?
