External Portable Generator - removing my on board Onan from my 1973 Brave...

[Art]

Spring is coming (been a good thaw here in Ontario) and I am starting to map out what work I need to do to my "new" RV (1973 Brave), then prioritize and figuring out which ones I can execute on.  Roof work, interior upholstery and flooring, windows, minor drive leaks, batteries and so on. 

When looking at the batteries, I also started looking at the on board Onan generator (looks to be a 4000), as well as how everything all works together to provide power.  The Onan is in excellent condition and starts right up smooth.  Not too noisy.  All the exhaust appears fairly new. 

So the normal person would probably say - if its not broke don't fix it. No one ever argued over my normalcy.

I also want to get a portable generator, for other work, but seems like a waste to have multiples generators based on individual tasks. 

My thought would be to remove and sell the Onan, clean up that compartment and rejig to storage for the portable unit along with getting a little bit of extra space.  Then I can use the generator as I need it at home and when I am out in the RV, just load it up and take it with me.  Negatives and positives to both.  And its no longer the flip of a switch!

My questions are:

- has anyone else done this and any warnings you have due to issues you ran into as you did the work ?

- what would an Onan sell for used ?

- what would you recommend for the portable generator (I have started lightly looking - the standard ones and the inverter models - invertors seem to be the best option but cost is big)

- here is one on at Cdn tire

  http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/champion-3000w-gas-generator-0550...

[Lakota Wolf]

Not to damper your ideas, but I have seen a few RV'ers do what your wanting to do and they have All kicked themselves, 1st off, (from the picture you provided) you are going to be dragging that unit around, and then having to make a PLUG for your generator to plug into the RV. And then capping off your fuel supply line and untangle the mess of your generator exhaust. And then plugging all the holes and vent to the generators storage box.Portable generators are NOT quiet, basically sounds like a lawn mower running. I would recommend keeping your Onan in your rig, as you stated it's running good, and if need be you can still get a portable generator for other things. That's just my opinion.

[Rich Thomas]

I would keep the Onan Art, and pick up a smaller inverter type generator. the 1000 and 2000 watts can be found for a reasonable price as long as you stay away from the big names like Honda and Yamaha. Not knocking those, if you have the resources they are both good units. The problem is, you will need to stack them to get the same wattage your Onan puts out so your doubling the cost. As for the the value of the Onan I see them everywhere from $350.00 - $ 500.00 depending on the condition and the season plays a role as well; you can go cheaper on the generator if you opt for a non inverter type. The inverter is nice for electronics but you don't need that to run a saw or lights. hope this helps some.

[david darrow]

I did have to replace my gen. when it went bad so I got a portable gen. and I made sure that the gen. I got have a plug that fit the plug on my rv so I had no rewire to have to do.. that plug for the unit is the main thing to look for when buy a outside unit for your rv then how to keep it from being stod when out using it with the rv as you will not have it in the gen . box ..hope this helps you