Exciting Day - Generator / Inverter Installation

[Paul & Deb]

Getting this thread started because I am so amped up I will follow-up with pictures as it goes but my mobile RV service guys are busy getting started on the install. I am having an Onan LP 3600w generator installed in the front compartment along with a 1000w Pure Sine Wave inverter.





The generator will be connected through a 50amp automatic transfer switch and the inverter is going to be connected to an "either or" switch. That switch will control the outlets in my entertainment center. So, when we are off shore power AND not running the generator, we can turn on the inverter and then flip the "either or: switch and I will have 110 for my TV, Blu-ray, Sound system. So far that's how we have it laid out. The "either or" switch is just a cheaper more manual way of not having to add another more expensive transfer switch. At least I think that's how it's going to work

 

[Canyonlight]

Paul--be careful and ensure the techs hook things up correctly.......we don't want your new nickname to be "Sparky."

Dan

 

[Paul & Deb]

Paul--be careful and ensure the techs hook things up correctly.......we don't want your new nickname to be "Sparky."

Dan

Okey dokey

 

[Paul & Deb]

Here's where the generator remote start switch is going:

 

[TucsonJim]

Can't wait to see the end result Paul. Take lots of pics

 

[Paul & Deb]

I can't wait to see the end result either but it looks like that may be a while. They left early today to handle a family emergency. They should return on Saturday to finish. They made a template and took a bunch of measurements and will weld up the frame that will hold the generator in the compartment in the shop. The 20 amp "either or" switches (2) needed to be ordered and will reportedly take a couple days to get.

They almost finished up the propane connection, they mounted the transfer switch, mounted the generator remote switch and ran the harness. The real work comes in fabbing up the fire box and get the unit installed in it.

I already warned them that I take lots of pictures and they were fine with that.

 

[scott42blue]

I am sure you are excited ! I did the same back in 2006 on my KZ


Also with 3 propane tanks



And a 4 battery bank with remote to heart 2500 watt inverter and gen set.



inverter



Make sure you have the correct fuse for inverter input. It should be in the 50 to 350 amp range depending on what you are doing. My fuse is mounted on the ceiling about mid point of sliding storage tray. Best picture I have of it.

GD stopped me at 5 pictures.
I had this gen set on 2 campers and it will destroy a standard RV regulator in a week or 2. If you have any problems with it look at regulator first.
Hope this helps
Scott

 

[Paul & Deb]

I had this gen set on 2 campers and it will destroy a standard RV regulator in a week or 2. If you have any problems with it look at regulator first.
Hope this helps
Scott

Not sure I understand this comment Scott?

 

[scott42blue]

Not sure I understand this comment Scott?

I am not sure why but think (with no proof) it is the violent change of LP pressure as piston is going up and down.
I bought mine back around 1985 and used it on a travel trailer with custom rear mount. It failed quickly and I installed a second RV type regulator , it lasted for a few weeks. I then bought our first 5th wheel and moved custom mount to it. I am not sure of exact size around a 30 it was a Wildcat
It also failed, in desperation I contacted buddy who had connection at local LP ( commercial ) wholesaler. That one lasted through remaining years of wildcat and several years of KZ. It is pictured on post under 3 propane tanks.
Hope this helps
Scott

 

[Abqscott]

Here's where the generator remote start switch is going:

Hi Poppy, I had the same Hobbs meter you are showing there, must be my ears but at each click of the meter drove me nuts. I replaced it with a digital I found on line. Much happier now. It may not bother you but if it does they are pretty cheap. You can pop the analog counter out and the digital will fit in its place.
.

 

[scott42blue]

FYI
There is a second regulator built into my gen set yours may be different. That one failed about 2 years ago. It was expensive
$ 350 on sale at camping world.
Your generator should have a overboard dump for excess gas. And your regular LP regulator should be mounted in a vented area.
All this stuff is important as you are sleeping on top of it.
Onan sells a parts and service manual. I like to have both.
Scott

 

[scott42blue]

Hi Poppy, I had the same Hobbs meter you are showing there, must be my ears but at each click of the meter drove me nuts. I replaced it with a digital I found on line. Much happier now. It may not bother you but if it does they are pretty cheap. You can pop the analog counter out and the digital will fit in its place.
.View attachment 1850

It does click and loud if you are a light sleeper good advice !

 

[Cate&Rob]

Funny you should mention that Hobbs hour meter click !
We have the same meter on our boat 6.5 kW Onan and I swear I sit there anticipating every 1/10 of an hour .
We never run the genset while sleeping, so it's not really that bad for us.

Rob

 

[Paul & Deb]

Hi Poppy, I had the same Hobbs meter you are showing there, must be my ears but at each click of the meter drove me nuts. I replaced it with a digital I found on line. Much happier now. It may not bother you but if it does they are pretty cheap. You can pop the analog counter out and the digital will fit in its place.
.View attachment 1850

Thanks for the heads up Scott. I'll bookmark that for future reference.

 

[Paul & Deb]

BTW all, I don't foresee many times, if ever, we will be sleeping with the generator on. We have it mostly for instances when we are traveling and stop during the day for sightseeing or something and want to pop the dog in the trailer with the A/C on or to run for a couple hours during the day when we are dry camping to top off the batteries.

 

[Abqscott]

For me it was not the sleeping it was watching a movie.

 

[Paul & Deb]

For me it was not the sleeping it was watching a movie.

I won't have the generator on for movies either unless I'm way off the grid and it's hotter than hell and I want the A/C on at night. I have a 1,000 watt pure sine wave inverter that will power the outlets in the entertainment center from the battery bank. The inverter is connected to 2 "either or" switches mounted in the hutch cabinet. When I want power to the entertainment center while off shore power or generator power I just turn on the inverter (it's on a wireless remote control) and switch the switches and I get power to the center. Simple, sweet and quiet

Here's the inverter mounted in the pass through (next to the 50 amp automatic transfer switch for the generator):



and the 2 "either or" switches:

 

[Paul & Deb]

The generator install is finished and works perfectly!!

Here's the generator mounted in the front compartment:



It's in there very solid with iron brackets and additional support from behind the wall:







There is no vibration in the trailer with it running.

 

[Paul & Deb]

I still have to finish up the exhaust. Right now it only runs out to the street side maybe 2 feet ending still under the trailer. I am going to take it out to the frame and then 90 degree towards the back with another 90 degree turn to the outside just before it gets to the dump valve. The installer is also returning to add a 100 amp fuse between the batter bank and the inverter.





Here's a couple shots of the propane run:

 

[Abqscott]

Nice, looks like a great install. When you extend the exhaust out we used a rubber mount to support the exhaust to the outer frame. I still am holding out for my inverter until I figure out what solar I'm going with.