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12-03-2014, 01:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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How do you use your Onan generator?
So in doing research on what we hope to get in our next 5th wheel, I'm leaning towards getting an installed Onan 5500. I realize it would be great for boondocking situations but I'm curious how others use their units.
Someone mentioned to me that he turns his on about an hour before hitting the campsite so the trailer is already cooled down when hooking up. That implies it's running while underway. Do you do this with yours?
Also, I could definitely see the benefit of being able to cool the place down while packing for a trip or stopping for lunch when shore power is unavailable.
Other uses?
__________________
Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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12-03-2014, 02:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Western New York
Posts: 138
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Mike,
I have a MH, but I definitely run my generator underway. If it's a really hot day, I'll run the A/C. But mostly I use it on long trips to power the TV and game console for the kids to play games or watch movies.
And yes, to use the microwave when stopped for lunch/dinner.
Kris
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12-03-2014, 06:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Fuquay-Varina
Posts: 884
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We use it when traveling to fire up the microwave for a lunch stop or to make morning coffee when Wal-camping.
__________________
2014 Greyhawk 31FK
2007 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100cc
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12-04-2014, 06:44 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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So it sounds like it's a standard practice for you MH guys to run it while underway. Does anyone with a 5th wheel do the same?
__________________
Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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12-05-2014, 05:55 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maplesville - Home Base
Posts: 3,059
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I don't run my generator when traveling since no one is in the 5'er, why cool it? It doesn't take that long for it to cool down after stopping anyway even for a quick bite of lunch or a nap. When I arrive at a site if it is really hot outside I will start up the Onan and the a/c to start cooling it down while I'm getting set up. This also keeps the voltage up when putting the slides out. When breaking camp I will use the generator at times to keep the voltage up when putting he slides back in. I will have already put my shore power cord away which keeps me from forgetting to do that prior to driving away.
I always run my generator at the first of each month for 1 hour under load and I always keep stabilizer in the gas. Non-ethanol gas is used 99% of the time. After just over 4 years of service I have 216 hours on the generator. Oil and filters are changed once a year in the fall.
__________________
Ed
KM4STL
2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS, Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X, TST Systems 507 TPMS, RV Flex Armor Roof
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12-05-2014, 06:35 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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Non-Ethanol gas is hard to find sometimes but I agree, if it's available, I definitely prefer it. Thanks for the input, Ed.
__________________
Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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12-05-2014, 07:40 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Beautiful West-Central Florida
Posts: 166
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NC Roamer
We use it when traveling to fire up the microwave for a lunch stop or to make morning coffee when Wal-camping.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edatlanta
I always run my generator at the first of each month for 1 hour under load and I always keep stabilizer in the gas.
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This. We also use when Wal-camping to cool down and watch TV in the evening, but shut it off for overnight.
__________________
Mike
2012 Greyhawk 31DS
2012 Ford Edge Toad
If I had anything better to do I would be doing it :)
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12-05-2014, 01:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Fuquay-Varina
Posts: 437
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quahog
Non-Ethanol gas is hard to find sometimes but I agree, if it's available, I definitely prefer it. Thanks for the input, Ed.
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I use this handy website when searching for Ethanol Free fuel.
Pure Gas/
I know the Apple App store has an app for the iPhone. Not sure about Droid or windows.
__________________
Steve
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2008 Jay Flight G2 29BHS
2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Z71
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12-05-2014, 03:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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Yeah, unfortunately the closest station here in Houston is 40 miles away from me.
__________________
Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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12-05-2014, 05:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Boise
Posts: 201
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I mostly boondock so my Onan 5500 is a must. Ours is LP and I wouldn't run it while driving. I use it for microwave, coffee maker, cool down the trailer and to charge the batteries. I does suck a bit of fuel.
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12-05-2014, 06:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Port Hope
Posts: 308
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i know up here in canada all premium fuel 91 octane and better is ethanol free
is it not the same in the states?
__________________
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW 6.7 cummins
2014 Eagle HT 27.5 BHS
1998 Tahoe Q5 4.3 (My Baby)
2006 Ford F150 5.4, (SOLD Oct 2014)
2014 Jayco Jayflight 26BH (SOLD Feb 2014)
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12-05-2014, 08:48 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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I've only run across a few stations in these parts that sell non-ethanol gas so the answer is no, it's not a same.
__________________
Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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12-09-2014, 07:17 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Columbia SC
Posts: 572
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The Pure Gas app is available for Android. You would be surprised at how many non-ethanol gas stations there are and some are in very rural areas, at least in South Carolina.
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2012 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Litre DoubleCab
6 speed, 4.30 Limited Slip, Tow Package
2013 Jayco White Hawk 27DSRL
2010 Jayco JayFlight 26BH sold
Yamaha EF2000is Generators (2)
1996 Honda CB750 Nighthawk
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12-10-2014, 09:58 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Wilmington
Posts: 121
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Good luck finding non-ethanol in Illinois. I seldom find it until I get out west. Midwest farm lobby makes sure we support their corn prices.
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12-10-2014, 02:30 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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Houston has very few but look at Louisiana and it's loaded.
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Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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