ONAN vs Kohler

It may depend on the size since they are based on different engines. I have had a 16 kW Kohler that was very reliable and above all, silent.

Have a look at Northen Lights as well. We had a couple of 33 kW that was working very well and when spares was needed (failing starters) they were delivered swift to where we were. Service is always good to consider.

If I'm not mistaken, some Kohler gensets use Yanmar engines... at least thats what my captain told me iirc...

Yes, the Kohler I had was a Yanmar and the Northern Lights were John Deere.

I have owned a few and havent heard and/or experienced what you report... I might have been lucky (knock on wood)...

Kohler uses Yanmar up to 27 Kva gensets and above that they use John Deere engines.

I have used 3 different gensets in the last 9 years and did not face any electronic problems at all, although using them at low rpm's (low loads) causes accumulation of residue, which ends up with unburned fuel at the exhaust discharge. However, I reckon this is a common problem for all diesel genset and engines.

The last Onan 18 I rebuilt was a Kubota diesel..I believe that most of the Onans up to 'some' larger size have Kubota engiens. I have found little to no difference between Kubota and Yanmar as far as the engines go, frankly. Both are good engines overall and very similar in every respect. As for the electrical/electronic side of any genset..I can't speak to that since I don't know enough about them.

And I was under the impression that all of John-Deere-label diesel engines up to about 25 or 30 kw were Yanmar's regardless of whether it was a lawn tractor or a marine application. But I could be wrong, of course...

I have noted, I've missed stating that "I have used 3 different KOHLER genset"