Anybody Try Installing an Onan Quiet Diesel?

[Gary Miller]

Andy,

If quiet is what you're after, don't forget that you can always
downsize the generator. The 31 and 33 came with a 7.5 Kohler (12.5
optional), and the '88-'89 FC's and SP's came with an 8.0Kw Onan.
The main (only?) difference being one less air conditioner than the
older 35 FC's.

I have installed a PowerTech quiet diesel 7.0Kw in place of my
Kohler 7.5 and am very satisfied with the performance. A shipping
dock and a fork lift are handy, hookups are pretty straightforward
for a creative minded vintage BB owner.

I guess what I'm saying is that the 12.5 will simply
run 'everything' and I would say that a Wanderlodge was built with
the impressive overkill to do just that. Is it really necessary? I
think not. Run the numbers for yourself based upon your usage
requirements and see.

Gary Miller
83 FC 33
Milwaukee area

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> Fellow Wanderlodgers,
>
> Has anybody with a pre 87' FC tried installing an Onan Quiet Diesel
> Generator in place of the Perkins?
>
> The dimensions of the 12,500 watt onan seem to allow it to fit into
> the slide out on a pre- 87' FC. Click on
> http://www.onan.com/pdf/rv/a-1483.pdf
>
> As I have posted earlier, the main thing I don't like about my 83'
is
> the location of that loud Perkins - it forces you to yell to your
> friend when you are sitting under the main awning.
>
> John Finn modified his FC so that the Perkins radiator exhaust blew
> down to the ground, instead of directly out to were you are
sitting.
> He was also able to close up and sound insulate the entire
generator
> door. According to John, this reduced the noise alot.
>
> The Onan Quiet Diesel is designed to blow to the ground. Its sound
> rating is 68 decibals at 10 feet.
>
> It also seems to be very fuel efficient. At idle, it uses .1
> gallons/hour. At half load .48 gal/hour. At full load 1.2
gal/hour.
>
> The Perkins seems to have just two speeds. Full throttle or off.
>
> I can't afford a new onan quiet diesel, but I am looking for a
used one.
>
> Is it worth installing? Anybody have any experience with this?
>
> Andy Coleman
> 83' FC35
> Spring Lake Hts., NJ
>