new Onan Gen 21.5KW

[Yachtsmyth]

Need to replace the old one. Does anyone know a dealer that has a new 21.5 and 11.5 KW Onan in stock. the 21.5 is the critical one.
Thank you

 

[Captain Ralph]

Why OhNo ??

 

[Yachtsmyth]

well this one has lasted since 1988. 2nd choice would be a NL. The new Onans look nice and every viking has them and i hear good things.

 

[Captain Ralph]

and i hear good things.

Sorry brother,, That is funny.

NL is a far superior system. Usually less in final cost.
NL and other systems offers great service for the money and cheaper to maintain in your future.

If I can just get to to at least look at some other product, I would be happy, even if you do purchase OhNo.

Please shop well and carefully.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

My preference is to own a brand with no proprietary circuit boards. Generators are not rocket science. Look for a set with a good engine such as a Yanmar or Kubota with a Marathon generator end and an off the shelf regulator board that you can buy anywhere for less than $40. That way you can keep a spare aboard.

 

[Briankinley2004]

My preference is to own a brand with no proprietary circuit boards. Generators are not rocket science. Look for a set with a good engine such as a Yanmar or Kubota with a Marathon generator end and an off the shelf regulator board that you can buy anywhere for less than $40. That way you can keep a spare aboard.

I had one from M&L in my 55' and many folks in Louisiana have 10's of thousands of hours on these things with no issues. The board went out in mine and it was a Blue Seas system non proprietary board. Not sure what they use now but here is a link to the site.

https://www.mlengine.com/ml23iehd-t4br23-kw-heat-exchanger-cooled-diesel-generator-set

 

[Captain Ralph]

I had one from M&L in my 55' and many folks in Louisiana have 10's of thousands of hours on these things with no issues. The board went out in mine and it was a Blue Seas system non proprietary board. Not sure what they use now but here is a link to the site.

https://www.mlengine.com/ml23iehd-t4br23-kw-heat-exchanger-cooled-diesel-generator-set

Not mentioned a lot, but the Isuzu engines are great.
Our 30kw (4LE1) set has 5000 hours, not the first drop of oil lost, zero case vent pressure, pulls as strong as it was new. Checked valve lash twice in 18 years, zero adjustment required. Next check probably due now but in no hurry. Runs great.

 

[Captain Ralph]

One night I'll type up my novel, Saving later OhNo engines.
Bolting on SAE3 adapter housing, modifying the tray and bolting up Stamford generating ends.

Kubota and Shibaura make fine diesel engines.
Cummins does a good job marinizing these engines.
It that damn OhNo junk that is supposed to make electricity that sux the most.

 

[Cricket]

Viking installs Onan gensets for two reasons, most important is worldwide warranty service, second they come in a pretty white box, quality of the units isn't important.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Viking installs Onan gensets for two reasons, most important is worldwide warranty service, second they come in a pretty white box, quality of the units isn't important.

Viking installs OhNo gen-sets for one reason; Profits.
quality of the units isn't important.

 

[jmooney]

My preference is to own a brand with no proprietary circuit boards. Generators are not rocket science. Look for a set with a good engine such as a Yanmar or Kubota with a Marathon generator end and an off the shelf regulator board that you can buy anywhere for less than $40. That way you can keep a spare aboard.

Wonderful advice . I have 20kw Kolhers , 2500 hrs on each . Perkins motors, just like the one in my Massey-Ferguson tractor, reliable and east to get parts . The electrical side is what I worry about. I have collected some electrical components, but knowledge is getting scarce. A lot of techs have retired.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I would stick to Northern Lights or Kohler, or Phasor. I think the only reason Onan is still in the generator business is that they sell to OEMS like Viking etc.

There is also a company called (I think) Bollard Marine which is reputed to make excellent gensets. Depending on where you are, might be worth looking at.

The absolute worst are Fischer-Pandas. Stay away from them.

 

[cww]

I have had nothing but problems with parts unavailability on every Onan generator I've had. That company is the absolute worst about discontinuing parts support when there are still thousands of that model in the field to try and make you buy a new one. I would never buy another Oh-No. If I was buying a boat with one in it that was more than about 5-10 years old, then I would factor replacing it into my offer for the boat. Their policy about cutting off parts support much earlier than other manufacturers is really that bad.

I have personal experience with Phasor and Northern Lights, and highly recommend both. Phasor is unique in that there are no proprietary parts anywhere on the whole thing, everything is an off-the-shelf component that will be available until kingdom come. The engine and engine control systems are a mass-produced kubota, the electrical side is all mass-produced off-the shelf stuff, you are never going to have parts issues with a Phasor. You won't with Northern Lights either, because they don't cut off parts support on you like Oh-No does.

I could not urge you strongly enough to consider another brand besides "Oh-No I can't get parts!"

 

[Captain Ralph]

The absolute worst are Fischer-Pandas. Stay away from them.

Very much agreed.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Kohler has proprietary boards. I would not buy a Kohler. The parts prices are not reasonable.