Generator install Onan for those who have done this a little help

[Cabindoc]

Read on this forum for hours and could not find what I'm looking for. Wiring an Onan into a Torque with gen prep. So there is a junction box in the camper with the customary 4 wires. Red/Black/White/Green. Out of the gen there are 2 whites. Both come from the same terminal, so I'm wondering if I'm supposed to hook one of the whites somewhere else?

And, those wires from generators breakers to junction box seem really light gauge. Like 10 awg. Seems too small for a 30 amp breaker......

 

[carl.swoyer]

The wires coming from the Onan genset are your power feed. One for each leg of your power in to the junction box. From​the junction box it goes to your transfer switch then out to the distribution panel. But before you wire it I would call an Onan service center and let them advise you.

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[avvidclif]

On mine the 2 whites from the generator were tied to the white in the junction box. Then ground to ground. The 2 blacks were the hot leads, 1 from each 30a breaker. 10ga wire is spec'ed for 30A and no longer than those runs should have no problem.

 

[danemayer]

Here's a wiring diagram from Onan showing the 2 white wires as Neutral. There are 2 because the hot lines are phased the same which puts double the current on the Neutral compared to your shore power, where the hot lines are phased opposite one another.

The gen prep wiring for Neutral is likely heavier gauge, so a single Neutral wire from j-box to transfer switch may be all you'll find in the j-box.

If you're not sure how to interpret the drawing, you might want to get a generator tech or licensed electrician to help you.

 

[esscobra]

do like diagram- black to black- other black to red ( hot feeds ) whites are both tied together to white and green goes to green - installed my 7k efi unit in march myself- runs everything at same time- 2 a/cs multiple tvs fridge converter microwave no issues- I also thought those leads may be small but as stated they are rated for 30a and short - I checked sever times during heavy load and they do not get warm - ran 2 weeks ago wed night thru sunday at indy car race in texas in 95+ weather with 6 people in coach and no issues -

 

[Cabindoc]

Thanx guys!! I thought this might be the case, but don't want to blow up a new to me genny. I also read that I need to take out yellow peice in transfer switch. Looking forward to finally having a quite generator that powers everything!!


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[Cabindoc]

Now, if I use a separate battery for genny, will it send a charge to it?


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[danemayer]

Now, if I use a separate battery for genny, will it send a charge to it?


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If it's actually separate from the trailer battery, would you be adding some wiring somewhere so that it receives power from the trailer?

If your trailer battery is kept charged, you don't need a separate battery.

If you're thinking about boondocking and are concerned that the trailer battery might get too low to start the generator, maybe you should just add a 2nd battery to the trailer.

 

[Cabindoc]

Well I have 2 now, but I'm thinking if I accidentally drain them, I wouldn't be able to start genny w/o a jump. So I'm thinking of splitting them. I don't need too much battery if I have a genny. Just to run a propane refrigerator and to charge a couple phones overnight.


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[porthole]

installed my 7k efi unit in march myself

Anything special you had to do for that genny?

 

[esscobra]

Anything special you had to do for that genny?

no pretty straight forward - same size as 5500 ordered a 14 gal tank with return fitting and placed in 1 of propane compartments for now- plan is t build larger tank with off door fill behind drop frame ad in front of wheel I think I have pics posted in my new from texas post - but ca post some up later

 

[porthole]

no pretty straight forward - same size as 5500 ordered a 14 gal tank with return fitting and placed in 1 of propane compartments for now- plan is t build larger tank with off door fill behind drop frame ad in front of wheel I think I have pics posted in my new from texas post - but ca post some up later

I'd like to see some of the details.

Next rig I have several options I am considering, none of them involve carburetors. I wouldn't mind the carbs if you could get rebuild kits.

LPG genny - low on the list. It would be too easy to just order that option and then never upgrading to what I 'think' I really want.

Gasoline genny, same as yours with the added output.
Diesel inverter genny. Build a tank the hangs under the trailer and have the capability to feed off the trucks tank.

Or, 6-8 batteries and a pair of Magnum hybrid inverters, supplemented with solar and a smaller portable genny.

The advantage with the Magnum Hybrids is that you can use a smaller genset and when the load exceeds the capability, the Magnums will feed the line supplementing from the batteries.

Onan has a gasoline, fuel injected inverter genny, but it is 1-2 years before being on the market.

None of the options are cheap, but they all end up being similar in cost, except for the diesel starting out a bit more.

The diesel is nice, I saw a demo of it at the Hershey RV show. Relatively quiet, inverter technology and water cooled.

 

[esscobra]

see my previous post - it shows the 7k fuel injected installed and the 14gal tank I am using- running both a/cs fridge tvs charger etc runs 26-28 hrs on 14gal
think I pai like 4700 for gen shipped with fuel pump pm me and we can discss if youd like

 

[big_kandi]

Well I have 2 now, but I'm thinking if I accidentally drain them, I wouldn't be able to start genny w/o a jump. So I'm thinking of splitting them. I don't need too much battery if I have a genny. Just to run a propane refrigerator and to charge a couple phones overnight.


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I have also recently installed a used Onan 5500. Everything seems to be working ok. I'm running off of the one battery. I us a jump pak as my backup battery I have had to use it once when the battery went bad. Took off the panel cover and clamped onto the positive post on generator and started with manual button.

 

[porthole]

see my previous post - it shows the 7k fuel injected installed and the 14gal tank I am using- running both a/cs fridge tvs charger etc runs 26-28 hrs on 14gal
think I pai like 4700 for gen shipped with fuel pump pm me and we can discss if youd like

Fuel tank source?

That looks like a great fit. As it is now, we typically use less then one 30 lb tank of propane a year. I could easily get by with removing one, replace the other with a 40 and put a fuel tank in that space.
14 gallons is less then I would have made if going that route, but the convenience of it looks like you have is a good fit.

As I mentioned above, if I go with a diesel genset I would come up with a way to tap off the trucks tanks. Either a pump or supply return line with liquid couplings.

Did you see my portable tank for filling the trailer's tank when camped?

14 gallon fuel tote

 

[Cabindoc]

Hey Duanne, great idea. Is that pump rated for gas? Where did u get it?


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[porthole]

Scott,

Amazon, and yes rated for gasoline or diesel. Airtex spec page

Airtex E84070 Electric Fuel Pump


It doesn't flow a lot, rated at about 1 gallon a minute, but is suffices for my application.

And while looking it up for you I found that my pump is under a recall notice. Looks like I am getting a new pump

Duane

 

[avvidclif]

None of the options are cheap, but they all end up being similar in cost, except for the diesel starting out a bit more.

I like that "about a bit more", like twice as much....

 

[porthole]

I like that "about a bit more", like twice as much....

$4750 for the 7K gasoline versus $ 8350 - so it's a "Texas bit" more

 

[avvidclif]

I'll buy that....