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Topic: Cat Generator vs Onan (sp?) (Read 2631 times) previous topic - next topic
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Cat Generator vs Onan (sp?)

Yahoo Message Number: 72138
Considering sticking our toe (okay, plunging head first) into becoming at least heavy part time RV'rs.
We're looking at a 2007 Country Coach Intrigue / Jubilee model. It's the first and only one I've ever seen with a Catapiller generator. I think it's a 10kw. Curious if anyone has any awareness/experience with these type generators. Are they any more/less reliable? Quieter or noisier? Salesman was gun ho on it matching the engine Cat-13, but I'm a little wary.

Any and all information would be deeply appreciated!

Mark

Re: Cat Generator vs Onan (sp?)

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72139
Mark,

We have had both the Cat and Onan. Our 04 Intrigue had the 8kw Onan and our current 06 Affinity has the 12kw Cat. Each had over 1000 hours, so we have had quite a bit of experience with each.
Personally, I think it is six of one, a half dozen of the other. The nice think about Cat generator with Cat engine is when I go to have service work done. The Cat dealer does both.
I found the level of noise comparable, even with the larger Cat. The serviceability of the Cat was easier, only because the 12kw was located on the front extending carriage, as opposed to the stationary basement mounted 8kw.

I think either will serve you well.

Martin

2006 Affinity
#6543

Re: Cat Generator vs Onan (sp?)

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72146
Martin,

Thanks so much for your comments! This, too would be on a slide out tray at the front of the coach. Thanks VERY much for sharing your experiences, as I wasn't sure why this Cat generator was such an aardvaark ~ but it's great to hear they perform as well as the Onan!

Thanks again, Martin

(Anyone else, I'd love your comments as well!!)

Re: Cat Generator vs Onan (sp?)

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72202
Ken here Retired Cat Tech, I will be the first to tell you your Cat RV Generator is Half Power Tech. and Perkins Diesel Engine built for Cat. Before retiring back in 08 I worked on several. Cat Power tech. are sadly no more. Google Power Tech. and you will see your Cat RV Generator on the power tech site. The Generaror End Power Tech is well built. I in my older Allure have a 7 KW. Power Tech. Hopefully your larger unit has a brushless exciter. I have had little issues on Brushes but back then these were new units. The early Perkins Engines I worked on had Exhaust Flex Cracking and Black soot coverd the engine. No fires I have never seen. I replaced several Flex couplings and at my time never had a call back. All the units I worked on were under Cat Warranty. If my Allure had one I would be proud. The only thing it runs 1800 RPM all the time, They tend to smoke till warmed up White Exh. Smoke not like the newer Onan Quiet Diesels that have varable speed. The Onan has expensive Inverter as part of the Package but only one of my RV Friends had a Failure! The replacment Inverter is several thousand dollars but Onan sell a Re-Con unit. I will end the Cat as no longer made has simple and long record of Power Tech Generator end. Just check the inside of the Package for black soot. I dont know if you will get support on the Generator end from Cat, Im sure Powere Tech will step up to the plate on the Generator end, but Cat Perkins will have parts for the engine. Get to know Power Tech. They are good Players and I have bought parts from them on my Power Tech. Enjoy your Cat Genset. Ken 99Allure 30356. Keep me posted as I did not know CC Used them in later Coachs.
 

Re: Cat Generator vs Onan (sp?)

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72638
Ken's comments were great!

But, I was speaking to a contact over the weekend on the difference between these two generators, and he mentioned casually that the Cat is a 3 cylinder design, what the Onan is a 4 cylinder design and would run much more smoothly. Is that really the case?
Is the difference in variable vs constant idile speed vary noticable from inside (or equally importantly, outside) the coach?

Thanks for any & all responses!