Possible new toy Onan 7.5 JB

[squidtrap]

Im in the process of looking at a JB and would like to see if sombody could locate a build sheet. its a

7.5JB-3R/6298S
1169130599
120/240
1PH

Its a mag. unit so hope the #'s are good, thanks in advance Ed.

[Leon N.]

Ed, if those number s are correct, I have the identical machine except for the 6298 code which would be the difference from mine. The "S" indicates a few subtle changes advanced from my JB. I do have all the documentation. This Magneciter uses auto field flashing on start up so make sure the neutral is chassis grounded before applying 12 VDC.

[JohnnyC]

Pictures!!! Pictures!!!! Where are the pictures!!

I hope the deal works out well in your favor.

JohnnyC
New Jersey

[squidtrap]

JohnnyC/Leon thanks. Hoping somebody can locate the build sheet, he says its tri fuel, thats what i want to see. Need to know if i will get full output on nat gas.

Will post a pic tomorrow. Still need to talk to seller in person and check out gen.

[Kevin K]

Here you go.

[Leon N.]

Kevin, that is essentially my machine, except I do not have the oil base heater and his was built to spec S where as mine was built to spec P. If in good shape, yes he will get full output on NG. I also have the original green and red covered manuals for this puppy.

[squidtrap]

Kevin-thanks for the build sheet, now that confirms the pick of data plate. Looks like i can get full output on nat gas. as Leon stated.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/hvo/5998954431.html this is the only pic i have, owner has only responded to one e-mail. called 2x no return call, will try again later.

Can this unit be lifted with the loop on top of valve cover?

Also from the pick looks like rubber feet are missing? muffler, and gas train. Hope he answers phone today, Ed

[JohnnyC]

Looks nice. If the lift bracket is factory as it appears to be, you can lift it with no problems. If rubber feet are missing I think they cost about $15 per foot (maybe more). Demand regulator is under $100. Muffler are a dime a dozen.

Good luck and I hope the deal works out to your favor.

JohnnyC
New Jersey

[Onan Dan]

Ed that is a sweet looking JB I hope you get it .

[Leon N.]

Ed: Re your question: "can this unit be lifted with the loop on top of valve cover"?

The answer yes but do not hang any additional weight on it. I have lifted my machine with the muffler attached as shown. So there is a safety margin built into this.

However: I caution you about this particular JB as shown being for sale.

The bolted on loop as shown in the picture looks like it was removed and re attached incorrectly! See my JB picture attached below.

This lifting loop MUST be attached properly and the bolts torqued properly or you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. Maybe OK as shown but just saying, watch out!

Also, in my opinion the machine is of lesser value without those Onan unique rubber mounting donuts.

Good Luck

Leon

[nothingbutdarts]

Would there be a chance that when running NG it might not have full output unless it had the high compression pistons? Which it must no being a tri-fuel unit.

[Leon N.]

The C1 comb carb connotes a tri-fueled carburetor. That is exactly what I have on my JB. The Onan owners manual, 967-320 cautions that when burning natural gas, the output is reduced 20% due to the lower heat content of the ng as compared to running on gasoline or propane.

Now my experience with the low compression JB is that I can easily achieve the full output, 7.3 KW/31 amps with ng. I have measured the compression and recorded 90 psig and my owners manual states the compression ratio is 6.5:1.

I have concluded that these early build Onans were designed with at least a 20 % reserve power to handle any unintended over loads or abuse. Friends, they don't build them like that any more. In fact, I suspect my magneciter, 04SX1N3B is good for 10 Kw! Somewhere I recall noting the 10Kw version uses the same magneciter. Will research this again to verify.

[Motorhead]

My YD end later JB has the tri fuel carburetor and standard compression also. I can pull 30 amps a side on mine with no issues. It also has close to the starting reserve that Leon's set has.
The main importance with running natural gas is having extra supply capacity (ample pipe diameter) so the engine has what it needs for any surges in demand.

[squidtrap]

So, i just finally talked to the sellers father. It has not run in 3 years, they pulled it from a stop and shop, was used for back up.

No gas train, he does not know about the rubber feet, and knows nothing about the gen.

I asked him to take a pic inside the control box explaining the mice damage he said he would tomorrow. Does not seem to motivated, takes a day or so for any reply.

I explained the deal of a 50YO cold hunk of steel and he basically understood, but who knows, will wait on pics of control box, Ed

[Motorhead]

Originally Posted by squidtrap

So, i just finally talked to the sellers father. It has not run in 3 years, they pulled it from a stop and shop, was used for back up.

No gas train, he does not know about the rubber feet, and knows nothing about the gen.

I asked him to take a pic inside the control box explaining the mice damage he said he would tomorrow. Does not seem to motivated, takes a day or so for any reply.

I explained the deal of a 50YO cold hunk of steel and he basically understood, but who knows, will wait on pics of control box, Ed

Give him a low offer with the statement, "I could be buying a RUNNER or I could be buying a BOAT ANCHOR. This is the amount I am willing to GAMBLE with". I give them the facts about how much could be wrong with a 50 year old machine and part availability. I also say, "I'm here right NOW with money in hand". Chris

[JohnnyC]

If the seller knows nothing about the generator, I would be very hesitant asking him to open the control box. He may end up doing damage. If the seller is not too far away, I'd go visit him with a bunch of $10 bills in your wallet. Any damages found by you would mean less $10 bills I'd pull out of my wallet, but a bunch of $10 bills looks more impressive than a couple of $50 bills.

JohnnyC
New Jersey

[squidtrap]

JohnnyC/Motorhead- prob. i have is im dealing w/2 people. the son- by e-mail, father only 1 time on phone after 3 calls.

The father filled my bag about the missing items, thats when i explained the boat anchor runner situation to him. Told him after pic of control box i would still possibly like to see it.

Yes, there is not going to be to many 50's or 100's in pocket, but i do believe its a runner cause it was a stop/shop pull out. they took pick to the effect, property of s/s (think they went out of business)

Anyhow just e-mailed son and informed him of conversation w/ father so he might snap pic quicker, he did w/data plate. Just a waiting game now.

[Ray Lynch]

Heh Leon
Is your lifting bracket held to the valve cover with 1 bolt or 3?
My 1965 JB has a bracket that looks like yours with 1 large bolt only holding it to the valve cover.
My 1985 JB has a bracket with 1 large bolt threaded into the valve cover and 2 holes that accept 2 valve cover bolts as well.
Both brackets are oriented with the angle legs parallel to the sets length.
Ed..may want to eyeball that bracket before lifting to check if its attached to your liking.
I chased the guy back and forth almost a month before buying my 2nd JB.
Don't be shy about starting low and working up to your top offer.
From what you describe, sounds like your in a good bargaining position.
Good luck.
Ray

[JohnnyC]

My JB's list bracket (see picture below).

JohnnyC
New Jersey

[Jim McIntyre]

Originally Posted by nothingbutdarts

Would there be a chance that when running NG it might not have full output unless it had the high compression pistons? Which it must no being a tri-fuel unit.

Yes. There's a chance. Basically, from what I've seen on numerous JB and CCK sets, pretty much all of the engine's 'reserve' power that is present with gasoline goes away with natural gas. I see JB's make 10 kW on gasoline, but they max out at about 7.5 kW on natural gas. And I know they had sufficient gas supply, optimum mixture and timing.

This had to be why Onan made the high-compression variants in the first place.

Obviously, the max power a guy gets depends on the BTU value of the natural gas. It runs pretty close to 1000 BTU/cu foot here. I think this is 'typical'.