Generator Replacement April 25, 2024, 03:54:04 pm oof! I was doing a good job of running my generator once a month over the winter. During the February session, it stopped unexpectedly, and would not even crank. The shop here in NJ confirmed the worst...it's seized and needs to be replaced. The local shop is quoting me $6200 for a replacement. I trust the shop, but at those numbers, it's probably worthwhile to get a few quotes. Everything seems to cost more in NJ (except gasoline).So....any recommended shops I should call in the mid-Atlantic or New England?P.S. It's an Onan Microquiet 4000 on a 2003 MBP.P.S. The darn thing is still full of oil, so I don't know what I did wrong.
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #1 – April 25, 2024, 06:47:12 pm Without a teardown, there is no way to know what happened if it is truly seized.How many hours on the engine? The Microquiet 4000s are usually good for about 1500-2000 hours before needing a rebuild or replacement.You might want to shop around some, new Onans can be found online for $4200. $2000 to install one is a little steep for a few hours of work. Used generators are also an option. Cummins Onan 4KY-FA-6747 | QG 4000W EVAP Gasoline RV Generator | AP Electrichttps://www.northerntool.com/products/cummins-onan-quiet-series-evap-gasoline-rv-generator-4-0-kw-carb-and-epa-compliant-model-4-0ky-fa-6747-48797?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Generators%20%3E%20RV%20Generators&utm_campaign=Cummins%20Power&utm_content=48797&cmpid=53403382&agid=3200075892&tgtid=pla-4577129473301188&prdid=48797&ogmap=SHP%7CPLA%7CBING%7CSTND%7Cc%7CSITEWIDE%7C%7CGenerators%20-%20SC%7CGenerators%20-%20SC%7C%7C53403382%7C3200075892&msclkid=3d7fcffe571e17c1bcf0a9d48134b8e4&gclid=3d7fcffe571e17c1bcf0a9d48134b8e4&gclsrc=3p.dsLarry 1 Likes
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #2 – April 26, 2024, 10:24:22 am Onan is on the verge of shipping a new 4000i generator with fuel injection and and inverter power. You would be better off if you could wait a few weeks for it. Your dealer is about $1500 dollars too expensive in my opinion. The new generator price has not been set yet. They promised availability April 12th but didn’t make it. Do a search for Onan 4000kw to get a price. Installation should be around two hours.
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #3 – April 26, 2024, 11:14:44 am The new Onan 4000i is supposed to be available in the late spring, I would interpret that it will be available in several months or longer. the OEMs will get access before the general public for use in new RVs.https://www.cummins.com/generators/onan-qg-4000iIt's about time that Onan entered the 21st century with a fuel-injected, inverter generator. Honda and Yamama have sold portable inverter generators for decades. Larry 3 Likes
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #4 – April 26, 2024, 11:34:21 am It would be hard to me to spend that kind of money for a new generator. $6000 could buy an electrical system that would cover many of the same needs. It's not quite ready for every use case, but I would look carefully before putting that kind of money into a generator vs a battery/inverter system. Rich
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #5 – April 26, 2024, 12:24:45 pm I have an in on an early delivery but we were told production has not started yet so “months” is probably correct. $6000 would cover a fabulous solar system if you have the roof space. I do not.I’m carrying a Honda 2200i till Onan delivers. Sure do miss the start button!!
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #6 – April 26, 2024, 04:40:54 pm Quick update -- the Cummins Service Center quoted me $5167 (plus tax) for the project. Better than $6200!then I found this RVMP 4000i unit online. The inverter part appeals to me, as does the lower price, and the company has been very responsive. They've referred me to some installers, and I have a quote for $5100 (plus tax) for the job. My only concern is that there aren't a lot of reviews out there for any of their stuff.As for going all-battery (loony for lithium ?), I have no idea how to even start formulating options, let alone evaluating them.Keep that good info coming!
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #7 – April 26, 2024, 09:40:06 pm If you have to have a generator now the RVMP one built to replace the Onan is probably the best option. It is an inverter generator. The only downside is it has a carburetor, I think. You will need to drain the float bowl when you are not using it.
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #8 – April 27, 2024, 01:12:55 am Quote from: ccurvey - April 26, 2024, 04:40:54 pmQuick update -- the Cummins Service Center quoted me $5167 (plus tax) for the project. Better than $6200!then I found this RVMP 4000i unit online. The inverter part appeals to me, as does the lower price, and the company has been very responsive. They've referred me to some installers, and I have a quote for $5100 (plus tax) for the job. My only concern is that there aren't a lot of reviews out there for any of their stuff.There are no reviews because this a new product line on the market from an unknown, unproven company. The web has little information on what or who Flex-Power is.Inverter technology is the future but I would have a hard time paying the same price for a possible beta product compared to an Onan generator, a well-known commodity. You will be able to buy parts for the Onan five years from now, no one can say the same for Flex Power. Onan service centers are found throughout the country, I could find none for Flex-Power. Larry
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #9 – April 27, 2024, 03:30:41 am OK, this is a real longshot, years ago on a Emerald plus, a genset seized up. Should have been ok as it didn't have that many hours on it. Turned out that a blade on the fan was wobbling a bit and jammed against a guard. We discovered that when we tried to turn the shaft with a wrench from the front. Backed the offending blade up a little, straightened up the slightly mangled fin, and last I saw it was running. I'd still want someone to do an autopsy to verify that it was truly a 'junk' failure.(turn it into a lump of junk!) With no apparent cause of failure, someone is going to do a 'teardown' to see what the internal damage is. My bet is a brush came loose inside the slip ring area. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #10 – April 27, 2024, 12:01:53 pm Quote from: RonB - April 27, 2024, 03:30:41 amI'd still want someone to do an autopsy to verify that it was truly a 'junk' failure.(turn it into a lump of junk!) With no apparent cause of failure, someone is going to do a 'teardown' to see what the internal damage is. My bet is a brush came loose inside the slip ring area. RonBI agree absolutely, several repairable things could cause the engine to seize. The engine's cooling fan ingesting a chunk of something that stops the engine's rotation isn't all that uncommonThe generator must be removed one way or the other. Before replacing it or throwing it away, I would want to know why it stopped running and if it can be inexpensively repaired. A properly equipped RV shop can remove the generator fairly quickly, there isn't much to disconnect or unbolt.After thinking about this overnight, I would want the old-school Onan over the Flex Power replacement....unless you want to be the test animal for a new product from an unknown company. If you do, please keep us informed on its long-term performance.Larry 2 Likes
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #11 – April 27, 2024, 04:19:55 pm For those of you replacing the generator you will want to replace the hour meter.Amazon.com: ATOPLEE Mechanical Hour Meter 12v to 36v Truck Tractor Diesel...I have not replaced the generator yet so have not turned it on. I expect it to work.Just an FYI As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #12 – April 27, 2024, 07:28:27 pm Quote from: ccurvey - April 25, 2024, 03:54:04 pmSo....any recommended shops I should call in the mid-Atlantic or New England?So very tempted to offer up my generator from my 2017 TK, especially since I’m around New England this summer.All I do is the monthly exercise runnings, my batteries and inverter handles every I have tossed at it in the past two years, even in rainy Alaska for two solid weeks. 2 Likes
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #13 – April 28, 2024, 09:52:40 am Quote from: Dave Katleman - April 27, 2024, 07:28:27 pmSo very tempted to offer up my generator from my 2017 TK, especially since I’m around New England this summer.All I do is the monthly exercise runnings, my batteries and inverter handles every I have tossed at it in the past two years, even in rainy Alaska for two solid weeks.Our 1999 that we bought in 2019 didn't ever have a generator. The original owner got two solar panels. We have done just fine without one. If it is summer in Florida we get a site with electric to use the air conditioner. Our long road trips we may have been borderline too warm our first and last overnight stops in N Florida or Georgia. I have contemplated getting a quiet portable generator but haven't thought it worth it yet. 1 Likes
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #14 – May 16, 2024, 10:43:19 am An update!I took the rig to a Cummins Service Center and paid them $500 to give me a second opinion. Their conclusion was, "It's either the starter or the engine, and it would cost another $500 to make that determination. If it's the starter, it might be worth repairing, but since it died while it was running, it's probably the engine. Even if is the starter, and it can be repaired, the rest of the generator is 21 years old. We don't recommend spending any more money on this unit...just put the money towards a replacement."Over the last month, I've gotten a bunch of quotes for replacing the unit (numbers are parts + labor)Replacing with the current Onan equivalent (which I think is a QG 4000)Cummins Service Center (Kearny, NJ) - $7100Gerber RV (Hackensack, NJ) - $6200Stearns RV (Bath, PA) - $5800Cummins Service Center (Bristol, PA) - $5100To replace with the RVMP 4000i generatorDylan's RV (Sewell, NJ) - $5100Stearns RV (Bath PA) - $4200So...I've decided to take the leap and have Stearns install the RVMP 4000i next month. I'm not only attracted to the price, but also to the idea of a quieter, more fuel-efficient system. I'll report back and let you know how it goes!
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #15 – May 16, 2024, 11:18:46 am Quote from: ccurvey - May 16, 2024, 10:43:19 amI took the rig to a Cummins Service Center and paid them $500 to give me a second opinion. Their conclusion was, "It's either the starter or the engine, and it would cost another $500 to make that determination. That's nuts! Even if their shop rate is $250/hr, that's 2 hours for a factory service expert to throw up their hands and say "I don't really know."It's getting so hard to find a decent mechanic these days. Rich
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #16 – May 16, 2024, 12:52:01 pm There is a huge RV salvage company in Missouri. You may want to reach out to them for a replacement generator.Colaw RV | Used RV Parts & RV Salvage | North America's Largest RV Salvage
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #17 – May 16, 2024, 12:53:42 pm They currently have a tested one in stock 1 Likes
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #18 – May 16, 2024, 02:18:07 pm Quote from: rich - May 16, 2024, 11:18:46 amThat's nuts! Even if their shop rate is $250/hr, that's 2 hours for a factory service expert to throw up their hands and say "I don't really know."It's getting so hard to find a decent mechanic these days. That appears to be outrageous but there may be a simple explanation, the mechanic was working remotely from home, for another $500, and he/she would be willing to go to the shop for a proper diagnosis.I'm sorry the OP is getting the runaround from an unscrupulous dealer, they didn't do the job that was paid for.Best to use another shop for the replacement.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #19 – May 17, 2024, 09:26:12 am Quote from: rich - April 26, 2024, 11:34:21 amIt would be hard to me to spend that kind of money for a new generator. $6000 could buy an electrical system that would cover many of the same needs. It's not quite ready for every use case, but I would look carefully before putting that kind of money into a generator vs a battery/inverter system. Most of our cooling is done by a TurboKool evaporative cooler (we've had 3 units over the years in 4 RVs). We are almost always plugged in when we (infrequently) run the 120VAC refrigerated air conditioner. If our generator died, we'd consider just doing without it, perhaps getting a 2KW portable, or adding another 200AH Li battery and a couple solar panels to power one of new variable speed air conditioners.
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #20 – September 04, 2024, 08:40:28 am An update after having had this for a few months* The generator works just fine. I've learned that we don't actually use it very often...but when you want that A/C, you really want it!* The installation kit that comes with the generator is not quite appropriate for hanging from an LD -- you need slightly longer attachment bolts so that the generator is not touching the underside of the unit. We found this out the hard way -- after the initial install, we had serious vibration within the coach with the generator running.* Because the exhaust port on the RVMP is toward the rear of the coach (and the Onan is towards the front), we had to replace the existing exhaust pipe with something a little longer so that it would extend beyond the house on the driver's side.* Stearns RV did the initial installation, and then re-did it (without charge) to correct the vibration and exhaust issues. I was very happy in my dealings with them, and I'll be using them for future work. I was the 1st RVMP install that they had done, and I was happy to have experienced folks who could actually think rather than just saying "we did it by the book."* RVMP support has also been very responsive.* My only regret is that the unit is louder than I thought an inverter unit would be. I was hoping for "Honda quiet"; this one is about as loud as the truck engine (as measured by a sound meter on my phone) edit/added by RonB Google Maps
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #21 – September 04, 2024, 01:20:44 pm Hi Chris; Thanks for the feedback on your situation. The noise level on the RVMP generator should raise and lower with RPM and a response to the load (air conditioner) that the inverter is providing power for. I just had a fleeting exposure to a Generac inverter genset. The RVMP you got was the 4000i ? RVMP Flex Power 4000i Dual-Fuel Installed RV Generator ? I don't remember the generator location on the MidBath. Couldn't they shoehorn the new genset into the space where the old Onan was? The installation manual provided certainly is complete! I assure you that your noise level is better than my Onan Emerald Plus. I heard that LD was forced to use the new Onan that you had because the National Park Service banned the Emerald because it was so noisy. But running the roof air can justify a higher noise level. Air cooling results in thin aluminum fins that make it hard to control the noise levels. Old Volkswagen air cooled engines demonstrate that. Water cooled Honda generators were available, but had to have the water and antifreeze monitored like any car engine. I guess that not enough people bought them. RonB
Re: Generator Replacement Reply #22 – September 05, 2024, 01:16:16 pm I am told the Onan 4000i generator is now in stock. Will let you know when mine is received. My dealer is on vacation and won’t return till the end of October for installatiom.(I’ll believe it when I see it!)
Topic: Generator Replacement (Read 890 times)
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Topic: Generator Replacement (Read 890 times)
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