OK, What's Wrong With Propane Generators?

I guess this issue never occurred to me because we usually do CGs with hookups. The standby genset at the S&B is natural gas right from the house. I considered this fuel the best for a backup genny because you never need to worry about fueling up.

I'll keep track of propane usage this year and report back. Thanks for all the replies.

jplante4 wrote:
Ok that makes sense. I did a search on the subject and saw that the difference in fuel consumption is about .2 gph. The DW isn't big on boondocking, so I guess I'm good. I wanted to make sure there wasn't a boogey man sitting under the bed. :)

Where did you get your figures???? 1.2 gallons lp at full load
LP on a 6500
No load
Half load
Full load
60 Hz
0.5 Gal/h (2.2 lb/h) 1.0 kg/h
0.8 Gal/h (3.5 lb/h) 1.8 kg/h
1.2 Gal/h (5.3 lb/h) 2.4 kg/h

6000 Diesel .4 gallons 1/2 load .7 gallons full load

You MUST take into account that LP tanks rarely have more than 25 gallons liquid capacity which restricts running the LP genset no more than 20 hours. DIESEL Tanks are in the 100 to 150 gallon range and that translates into up to 4 to 7 days continuous running and it is a LOT easier to refill the Diesel tank than the LP tank. LP Gensets drop the value of a motorhome at least 10k. Very few Diesel Class A motorhomes come with LP gensets in the past 15 years. Before that Diesel gensets were a LOT more expensive and to get the price down the OEM's offered the LP as standard with the Diesel as a 3k to 5k option. As someone who has been in the sale and service of Motorhomes for 35 years(I am a Technician), we had multiple problems with the LP gensets 20 to 15 years ago and after all those problems even at brand new delivery, the Dealer Owner decided to NEVER have a Class A motorhome with a LP genset. WE ordered all our Motorhomes with Diesel Gensets starting in 2000. From what I have seen, I would NEVER have a LP Genset on a Class A Diesel. LP Gensets gave a hi failure rate of the LP Regulator. They either GUM up or they leak. Very expensive to fix. On our new Class B units with LP Gensets we have continual problems with them. If available we also option the Diesel Genset on Class B units. Doug

My biggest complaints with propane generator: 1)it uses a lot of fuel per hour (about a half-gallon per hour), 2) propane is more expensive per gallon than the alternatives, and 3) the on-board propane tank is very small (35 gal @ 80% fill = 28 gal capacity) and I would rather use that for cooking, hot water, and furnace.

As a practical matter, I will use the propane generator on the road in sweltering temps to keep the coach bearable, but when boondocking I will generally use a portable generator to keep batteries charged.

Wayne

Our National Tradewinds 2001 37' DP has a Generac propane genny... and a fairly large propane tank... the genny runs great, little odor to the exhaust ( I also use a genturi stack) 6,600 watts....annual oil change, check air filter & spark plug, good to go........

I have a propane generator at my farm for emergency backup purposes. I'd say for very infrequent use, a propane generator might even be the preferred way to go because it is less likely to gum up the fuel system.

Agree with the LP Gas is nice, neat, wonderful, HOWEVER it is very costly in both buying and in consumption.
In my experience, 7.5 kw on gasoline averaged .75 gph over 1,000+ hours, the conversion to LP used 1.1 gph over 1,200+ hours and then built up a 12 kw diesel, it uses .41 gph over 6,000 hours in my MC7 bus conversion, all running was with the exact same load and year round.
Do what makes you happy.
Dave M

As was said, propane genny are fine, just diesel is better. One other thing is that many buyers shy away from propane gen sets for all of the above reasons so your resale will suffer when it gets to that point.

Fortunately propane gen sets are not that common so there is seldom a reason to buy a diesel MH with a propane gen set.

moisheh wrote:
Propane generators need more attention. The ignition system has to be in perfect condition or they do not start. In cold weather propane does not work well. At 30 below you will be without a generator!

Moisheh

Not to worry about that, mate!

Onan LP generator, we seldom boondock, run generator and roof air on the road often. No real problems finding propane. One fail to start in 14 years, it was due to a bad connection at the starter....
If global warming is real, the 30 below problems may not be a big concern.... :-)

As stated so far- If you intend a lot of generator use the gas or diesel sets are the best option. For occasional use propane is clean, requires little maintenance and has been reliable..

moisheh wrote:
Propane generators need more attention. The ignition system has to be in perfect condition or they do not start. In cold weather propane does not work well. At 30 below you will be without a generator!

Moisheh

LP generators are known to be clean burning and don't suffer from carb and stale gas issues.
At 30º below not only will I be without the genset. I will be without the entire RV because I'm not going to be in the RV in 30 below weather!