FC Generator Replacement

[Scott]

Hey Scott, Last fall I replaced the genset in our 86FC35 with a
PowerTech 12kw unit and could not be happier. The unit is MUCH quieter
than the Kohler and is much more fuel effecient. As another said I
think it is several hundred pounds lighter as well. As far as we are
concerned we think it was money well spent.

NOW if you are looking to simply quiet the noise, I would consider
reworking the genset compartment. John F and Woody have redone theirs
and I have seen/listened to their units before and after. WOW WHAT A
DIFFERENCE. Both have pictures on the forums. This modification is
substantially less expensive than a new unit if you are just trying to
quiet things a bit. Randy D helped John F and could probably give you
some tips or even do it for you...

Best of luck

ScottB
86FC35
SC



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> I've just about had my fill of the FC Kohler generator and its
> deafening noise. I am considering replacement with an Onan Quiet
> Diesel.
>
> What is the minimum wattage I can get away with? I know the 12.5 was
> overkill, but do I need a 10kw? Will a 8kw do it? I have roof airs,
> not cruise airs.
>
> Thanks
>
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

[birdshill123]

I am having trouble figuring out why everyone wants to run all 3 AC at
the same time? We have never owned a MH with 3 airs. Rarely have to use
2. Very few MH's come with anything bigger than an 8 KW?? Do you live
in Haides? We are in the Sonoran desert. Even in 110 degree heat 2 GOOD
a/c's could do the job. I will admit that if you are starting with a
hot unit the 3 will sure cool it down quicker. Our new to us ** FC has
2 13,500 a/c's. In about 3 weeks I will get a chance to test it in the
AZ and Mexican heat. Hope I dont have to eat crow.

Bruce

[casmith]

Hi Bruce,
I'd like to add that in my 91 PT40 the A/C ducting consists of a one
piece tube(duct) running down both sides of the coach. From this tube,
the register vents "drop". Approximately, 7 per side. Due to the
non-compartmentalized design, running one A/C unit puts air into these
tubes and sends the cooled air mostly into area of the coach where the
unit is located. Some air travels through the duct to the other vents.
To increase air flow to any register, additional A/C units must be
turned on. I had a different coach with roof tops that were not
ducted. These would cool only the area under the unit so we would turn
on the front one when traveling and the rear one at night. Worked
well. I have experimented with sectioning the long ducts the give a
more localized cool down.
Craig 91 PT40, WPB, FL

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> I am having trouble figuring out why everyone wants to run all 3 AC at
> the same time? We have never owned a MH with 3 airs. Rarely have to use
> 2. Very few MH's come with anything bigger than an 8 KW?? Do you live
> in Haides? We are in the Sonoran desert. Even in 110 degree heat 2 GOOD
> a/c's could do the job. I will admit that if you are starting with a
> hot unit the 3 will sure cool it down quicker. Our new to us ** FC has
> 2 13,500 a/c's. In about 3 weeks I will get a chance to test it in the
> AZ and Mexican heat. Hope I dont have to eat crow.
>
> Bruce
>

[pattypape]

Andy,

Gennie capacity is usually discussed relative to the number of Air
Conditioners. If the AC's are not started simultaneously,
there should not be a problem. The running amp draw is not great, It
is the momentary starting current, that is high.
We have the original 8K Onan and two AC's, This is more than
adequate.

There is more of a concern with balancing the two 110v legs for your
"personal usage",
Our examnple is: there are four electric heaters at about 1500 watts
each, with the frig, hotwater heater, battery charge, an occational
block heater, and heating up a cup of coffee in the microwave,
things can get out of balance, and one can create a hugh current
draw. Items with heating elements are power hogs. So monitoring
the 110v and the amp gages is important to us.
Especially during the Fall and early Spring time, when tempertures
can dip lower. When deciding Gennie size, personal useage should be
considered.
How often will more than 8K or 10K be necessary.
We can always turn something off. Or with a few wiring changes
rebalance the leg loads for better utilization of power.

Presently our Onan is on the garage floor. Replacing the Onan
insulation, hoses, thermostat, V belt, cooling motor etc., What a
dirty mess. The radiator is packed with dead oily insulation.

Bill 88 FC No need for electric heaters in Michigan today




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> Hey Scott,
>
> The 8k watt onan quiet diesel weighs about 420 lbs.
>
> The 12.5k watt onan quiet diesel weights 770 lbs. 350 lbs is
quite a
> difference, even on a heavy Wanderlodge.
>
> However, if you look at the specs, they get similar fuel
efficiency.
> Click on
>
http://www.onan.com/onan/rvgenerators/Qu...ProductDet
ail.jsp?prdid=prod90023
>
> If you only have two roof airs, go with 8K watts.
>
> I have a FC-35 with 3 cruise air underbelly AC units. I'm also
> considering a onan quiet diesel. I guess I'm stuck having to buy
the
> large 12.5K watt.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
> Andy Coleman
> 83' FC-35
> Spring Lake Heights,
NJ
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@>
> wrote:
> >
> > I've just about had my fill of the FC Kohler generator and its
> > deafening noise. I am considering replacement with an Onan
Quiet
> > Diesel.
> >
> > What is the minimum wattage I can get away with? I know the
12.5 was
> > overkill, but do I need a 10kw? Will a 8kw do it? I have roof
airs,
> > not cruise airs.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Scott Forman
> > 82 FC35RB
> > Memphis
> >
>

[Jeff Miller]

I've had 'Birds with two and three A/Cs, roof and cruisair. Yes, there
are times that all three are useful, cooling down the coach after heat-
soaking, and high-humidity/high-temperatures (dehumidification can take
almost half of the A/C's cooling capacity). People climbing in/out of
the coach at Disneyworld in the spring is one time that three aren't
enough, cooking during the humid evening is another thing that two A/Cs
won't keep up with.

Also highway use, there are times that two won't cut it, there is no
shade or awnings, and without a healthy driver's A/C the sun can take
its toll on the driver if the coach isn't really cool. Been there/done
that in our '88, no driver A/C and all the roof air I could produce was
only almost comfortable.

You can't control when the compressors come on, the thermostats do
that, startup current can be compounded. I also like using the water
heater, microwave, charging system, coffee maker, entertainment
systems, etc. without concern over overloading the genset, the 12.5
will do that but the 8.0 couldn't with three rooftop units.

If you install a smaller genset that is fine, but you will reduce some
of the flexibility of the larger power plant and its ability to run it
all at once. Most won't dry-camp on days that everything is needed at
once anyway. High altitude, high humidity and heat, and buddy-plug use
are the three times I consider the 12.5 a minimum.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> I am having trouble figuring out why everyone wants to run all 3 AC
at
> the same time? We have never owned a MH with 3 airs. Rarely have to
use
> 2. Very few MH's come with anything bigger than an 8 KW?? Do you live
> in Haides? We are in the Sonoran desert. Even in 110 degree heat 2
GOOD
> a/c's could do the job. I will admit that if you are starting with a
> hot unit the 3 will sure cool it down quicker. Our new to us ** FC
has
> 2 13,500 a/c's. In about 3 weeks I will get a chance to test it in
the
> AZ and Mexican heat. Hope I dont have to eat crow.
>
> Bruce
>

[luxeautohaus]

I've got a (gas) 7.5kw Kohler in my '84 FC31SB. I'd like to replace
it with something that is both quieter, more efficient, and
(importantly) compatible with the Xantrex remote start controller I'm
installing with my new inverter. I've only got two roof airs, but
considering the cost of the install, I'd be interested in spending a
bit more money on more capacity. Does anyone know if the 7.5 and
12.5 Onan Quiet Diesels will both fit in the slide-out? There's a
lot of room in there now. Also, any other suggestions, especially
from someone who has completed the project on a similar model coach?
Any thoughts on the much cheaper Guardian Quietpact models?

Thanks,
Tim
'84 FC31SB
Portland, OR

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"
wrote:
>
> I've had 'Birds with two and three A/Cs, roof and cruisair. Yes,
there
> are times that all three are useful, cooling down the coach after
heat-
> soaking, and high-humidity/high-temperatures (dehumidification can
take
> almost half of the A/C's cooling capacity). People climbing in/out
of
> the coach at Disneyworld in the spring is one time that three
aren't
> enough, cooking during the humid evening is another thing that two
A/Cs
> won't keep up with.
>
> Also highway use, there are times that two won't cut it, there is
no
> shade or awnings, and without a healthy driver's A/C the sun can
take
> its toll on the driver if the coach isn't really cool. Been
there/done
> that in our '88, no driver A/C and all the roof air I could produce
was
> only almost comfortable.
>
> You can't control when the compressors come on, the thermostats do
> that, startup current can be compounded. I also like using the
water
> heater, microwave, charging system, coffee maker, entertainment
> systems, etc. without concern over overloading the genset, the 12.5
> will do that but the 8.0 couldn't with three rooftop units.
>
> If you install a smaller genset that is fine, but you will reduce
some
> of the flexibility of the larger power plant and its ability to run
it
> all at once. Most won't dry-camp on days that everything is needed
at
> once anyway. High altitude, high humidity and heat, and buddy-plug
use
> are the three times I consider the 12.5 a minimum.
>
> - Jeff Miller
> in Holland, MI
>
>