Here's the deal. I got an Onan Emerald III generator, that was removed from a motor coach.I know it needs the starter bendix, maybe a starter too. When they removed the genset, they cut the wires, unbolted it, and put it on the ground. That is all I have. What I need is the wiring diagram for the start/run circuit, and power distribution circuit. Can it be hooked up without the inside control box? If so, can another remote start circuit be manufactured.

I am a little uneasy about mounting it under the front of the fiver, because of fire/carbo monoxide concerns, so I have another idea. Since there will be very limited times that the fiver goes out, without the truck, what about mounting the genst in the bed of the truck? If I mount it up in the front of the bed, I can put a small breaker box ( 1 main, 2 outputs) in my toolbox, along with the 30 amp plug for the rv, and (2) 10 amp plugs for a drill, work lights, ect. I can get one of the old style metal gas cans to use as the fuel tank for the genset. The can would fit in the hole created by my narrow aux. fuel tank for the truck, and the toolbox (made for the small trucks).

I would like to get your opinions on this idea, and if anybody has the information I need, mentioned above, I'd greatly appreciate it. Here are the specs for the genset:
Onan Emerald 3
Model #- 6.5NHEFA26100E
Serial #- I880164030

 

My first comment is don't be afraid to mount the unit under the chin of the fiver in the front compartment. That is the NORMAL place they are mounted. Just need a good exhaust system on it. This would solve lots of your questions/problems you ask about.

Pretty nice to have the control panel in the RV, walk over, push a button and have it crank over. I assume it is either gas or diesel - - look for ideas on where to put a fuel tank. I highly recommend putting it in the RV. Does not take up space in the truck bed, easier to use, don't have to unhook it when you go somewhere in the truck, no messing around with some type of box to put it in on the truck and running a line all the way from the rear of the trailer to the front, put in an outlet at the front to plug the generator to.

I have the Onan Marquis Gold 6500w propane fired and love it - - mounted in the front like normal. Quiet, no vibration - - great unit.

Bob

 

Thanks. It is a gas unit. I don't have the interior control panel for the rv, is that gonna be a problem?

 

I would sure be finding one. That is the beauty of having it right there mounted in the unit - - push a button. I see no reason why you could not obtain a control panel for it. Contact Onan and see what they suggest. Also, maybe someone would kick in on some ideas for mounting a fuel tank permanently - - where, what size, how? Mine is propane and I have had MH's before this, so have not chased that one down.

As a teaser, the next thing you need is a good sine wave inverter and two 6v deep cycle batteries. Then, out to the lake we go. I have a 2000w inverter/charger. Sure nice to pull into that WalMart parking lot, grab supper, turn on the TV - - no generator running. Get up in the morning, mama can curl her hair, run the micro for a short time, make coffee, hit the road, no genny running. Just need it to recharge or run the AC. It will dramatically cut down the number of hours on the genny and the noise and hassle. And, the panel for the inverter keeps me posted with exact figures of battery voltage, current drain, AC voltage and frequency and current drain. One of the best accessories you can have. Had them in all three of my last motorhomes.

Bob

 

I plan to put my genset on the back of my truck and use a cheap car starter to start and stop it lol. That way drive along I can start the gen and cool the fiver with the roof air. Later Don T

 

Keep in mind that most of the onan's are air cooled from the bottom so mounting in the truck bed may require a sizable hole for air flow. I'm not familiar with your specific model but I know most of the RV setups are open underneath the genet itself. Hope this helps...

 

Don, I do that with the gen mounted in the normal place - - under the chin.
I have air circ in that compartment with a removable panel to help keep that
area cooler for the inverter/charger mounted there. Works great on hot days to have that AC running for an hour or two before stopping for the night on a hot day.

 

There's no sticker on that for the remote wiring? Try taking the cover off where the wiring goes in and looking for it. It's usually there.

If Onan follows suit to the older units, there is nothing more than a start circuit, and a kill circuit. The start is nothing more than a momentary button for the starter and a momentary switch to shut it down.

Onan did some weird stuff. Mine used the armature to start it.

 

I would not use an Onan in anything,because when the fail they are the most costly to rebuild.I`am looking at a Yamaha 3500 to put on back of my truck to run the AC when driving and use the key fob to start it when needed.I do have a kohler 12 hp 5th wat but not its my home stand by unit so I will leave it there.Later Don

wops lol

 

132 HP! That's a big sucker. I have a 13KW Generac that is only 38 HP.

The Generac is a poor choice because it runs at 3600 RPM. The Onan is a PITA, but runs at 1800 which is much quieter. These portable units are a poor choice when around camp grounds

 

Unfortunately alot of people could care less about their neighbors in campgrounds and use these contractor generators. Nothing more annoying than driving 25 miles down a dirt road to a campground in Colorado for some nice weather and peace and quiet only to have 2 morons show up with contractor generators and run them all day long at 4000rpms.... 61 degrees outside, what could they possibly need to run those all day long for?

 

I'm mounting a receiver hitch under the back of the fiver, and installing a front mount on the truck. After I get it running, I'll just slide it into either hitch. My understanding is, the compartment needs to be 'prepared' for the genset. This means sealing, firewalls, and other things, that can get expensive. I just haven't had the time to do anything with it yet.

 

I run a honda 2000 eui and sometimes I take my 3000 eui gen camping. I hate the noise gens running. The 2000 you can`t hear ti run from 25 ft away.I only run it a few minutes in the morning for the microwave and coffie maker. Then the fiver runs off my two 6 volt batteries.I do want to buy a 3500 so I can remote start it to run the air while towing the fiver. I will sell the 3000 and get one this fall. Later Don

 

I have 2 Honda eu2000i gens that I parrallel together and only run them when I need to charge my battery or when we are out in the boonies...

 

firestorm,
Contact your local Cummins dealer...Onan IS a division of Cummins. Talk real nice to the parts guy, asking for someone in the office that knows Onan, and describe what you have, model, and serial number.

I too, bought an older Onan Generator that came out of a Cabover camper, that I installed into my Cabover. They were EXTREMELY helful and knowledgable. Basically, I had to modify the generator cabinet in the camper, to allow enough room, and run the propane line. Yes, mine runs on propane.

Tony