Chinook RV

1998 Concourse with original 4000 Onan generator. We are considering a boondock experience on the Texas City Dike near Galveston Texas for 2-3 days during the week. My concerns are when I run my generator now the little exhaust pipe that comes out right beside my coach tailpipe allows exhaust fumes to hang around the back of my coach and that scares me. Somewhere I saw a exhaust pipe extension kit that mounted to the side of the rv and went above the motorhome. Anyone have experience with that are any problems with their exhaust trying to get in the rv. What do ya'll suggest??

Forgot to ask...any idea how long a 4000 generator will run on a gallon of fuel while running the ac and everything full blast? Is it ok to run it 8-10 hours at a time without damaging it??

Hi Flame - I think you're referring to this, the Camco Genturi.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Gen-Turi-G ... dpSrc=srch

It clamps on to the side of your rig with suction cups and directs the fumes up over the top of the RV using a flume that you assemble on site. Uses the principle of hot air rising. I don't have any direct experience with it but I agree that the fumes do seem to linger around the rear of the rig. If your windows and doors are closed and you're running the A/C then there's little danger as the A/C is only recirculating inside air. Also, if you have your awning out the fumes tend to get trapped even more. The Genturi is the land version of what people on houseboats have started installing - a long pipe leading up above the houseboat to make sure the fumes don't collect near the doors and windows.

Paul

A previous owner of my Premier installed an exhaust extension. It mounts to the back just to the right side of the ladder. It doesn't actually connect to the exhaust, it just starts right above where the exhaust comes out, if that makes sense. I have no info about brand/model. For all I know, it could be home-built. I can go take some photos if it would be useful.

I've never run my generator for more than a couple of hours at a stretch, and don't know much about them generally, so I'm not much help there.

Flame, if you don't already have a copy, you should download the Onan 4000 owner's manual off the Internet (don't remember where it is, I think I just searched for Onan 4000 manual, or maybe it is in the download area of the forum). Supposedly it will use .71 gallons per hour at full load. I have a few times run mine for 7-8 hours with AC with no problems - they are made to be run for hours at a time. Do note that service intervals are 150 hours per oil change, more often in a hot or dusty environment.

Bob

Thanks guys, and that is the exhaust system I was looking for. Went back through my books and I do have some literature on my generator!! Yay

Hi Flame - I'm not sure if this applies to all Chinooks (help us out here, Blue) but I had a couple of incidents where my generator wouldn't start and finally called the RV repair shop to have it checked. Turns out that the generator will not start if your gas tank is less than 1/4 full. It was a safeguard against running out of gas to get home.

My experience with the A/C running is that the generator goes through about 1/2 a gallon per hour. I've run mine for up to six hours at a time with no problems. I would also recommend getting an Onan resonator for your unit. I had a muffler shop cut the exhaust pipe and insert the resonator and it not only reduced the sound but got rid of the metallic "hammering" sound that it used to make.

http://www.rvpartscountry.com/Exhaust-Resonator.html

Paul

Yes, the "won't run under 1/4 tank" is by design and I think is typical for RV's. I suppose what they do is make the fuel pickup for the generator sit higher. The idea is that you won't then run yourself dry out in the boondocks (or wherever) using the generator and not be able to start the Chinook because you are out of gas.