Onan 4.0 BFA generator in Bus? Is this sacrilege?

[neoneddy]

Hear me out here... I know diesel would seem like the way to go, and it is.  However, our philosophy on this build  has always been "Start with what works and upgrade as we go and know what we need".   

We need a generator for any boondocking and not having to run the main engine, which I'd like to avoid for reasons.

I found on my local Craigslist a Onan 4.0 BFA Generator for $150 that I got for $100 delivered but was not working at the time.  By the time the sun set I had it running from carb cleaner alone, then the next day running normally from a gas can.   I love fixing stuff... luckily I have 33,000 lbs of stuff that needs fixing, but I digress.

Anyone else run a gas generator?   I'm planning on putting it in the AC condenser bay up front (now empty), these are generally made to  run from the RV's gas tank which is gas, not in my case obviously.   Is it better to separate the tank from the generator?   The bay next to it (first set of through bays) I plan on putting LP gas  a Furnace, would it be bad to have a gas tank there?   What should I use or a gas tank, maybe a marine fuel tank?

[Lee Bradley]

Convert it to LP and use your LP tank?

[Busn-Gramps]

 I would not use a gasoline generator. Convert it to propane or get a diesel unit ! For one thing it is a NO NO to have three fuels on board, diesel,propane and gasoline. Converting to propane would probably be the cheapest way out.

[oldmansax]

We used a Gas Onan 6.5 generator in our old MC7 for years with no problems. Genny was in old AC condenser bay. Fuel tank in forward storage bay, well anchored. Use a heavy duty truck style tank (not a sheet metal tank) and keep everything well vented.

TOM

[neoneddy]

I'll need some education here, why is having 3 fuels bad?


I hadn't thought of using the most forward bay, I'd like to try and get a spare tire back in there, but so far I can't get it  to slide in.    I'd think if using an automotive fuel tank it would be crash rated and be somewhat safe.

[bigred]

Back when Diesel RV'S first came along ,there were some very high line (for that time) units that used three different fuels .Remember looking at a New Sports Coach sometime in the Eighties .Ran off diesel,appliances were propane and the gen set ran off gasoline .I remember the fill door was around or right behind and down from the drivers area and had a sticker that said "GASOLINE ONLY".Back then diesel gen sets in small sizes were unheard of.A lot of the old buses were powered by a 4 cylinder gas engines  .I agree that the best deal is to convert it to propane ,which the RV people eventually went to.I always figured that was because of having to pull to the gas pumps to get fuel for the gen set.I would see if I could get it converted to propane and use a refillable canister .That way you would not have to take the bus to a refill station and you can get 20lb cylinder refill's almost any where.

[Scott & Heather]

"Using three fuels is a NO NO!".....

That's probably the most entertaining thing I've read all day. We are 7 year fulltimers. We've only had gasoline generators in that time. We are on the road almost 4 months solid every year for my fall tours running genny nonstop during that time. I currently have twin Honda EU3000is gennies connected by parallel cables to give me 6000 watts. They work perfect. Absolutely zero issues whatsoever with them. They are quiet and if I'm running a light load (just fridge lights water pump) one will run almost 24 hours on one tank of 3.5gal of fuel. We also run propane for our stove/oven. So I guess for 7 years I've been in the "NO NO" camp. That being said, here's the big bummer running gas gennies from my perspective:

I have to fill them with gas cans. It's a pain. Every single day I have to fill them. I am honestly tired of it. I'm working on having a diesel generator built this year because I just can't wait to run it off my main diesel tank.  When I stop at a truck stop to get the bus fueled, I have to generally hike over to the automotive pumps to fill the cans for the gennies. That can be quite the hike from the truck parking section and I have to make a couple trips since I have three cans. I am definitely looking forward to not having to mess with gas anymore. That being said, a gas genny has worked really well for us for the past 7 years of fulltiming. I completely understand your desire to get a genset that works for now, and then someday spend the $$ on a good diesel genset. Makes sense to me. After I get my diesel generator built and installed I'll be in the market for a hybrid magnum 4024 inverter for my "driving down the road" electrical loads so that I won't have to run the generator while I'm driving.


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[brmax]

Yes Scott I'm shaking my finger now, nope nope 
Addressing the fuel island trips, I can only say in example: after the third kid at dorm move in and out. You my friend as i did finally, you need a two wheel dolly.
All jokin aside thats some great fuel gph ratings. Thats not avail on my kubota 4cyl at .5

Floyd