Sprinter LP and A/C

tatest wrote:


Diesel genset on a Sprinter, if you can find it, you still have a fuel supply problem, though it is probably easier to make sure you park with a full tank. Because MPG is high, Sprinter tanks are much smaller than the 35-60 gallons on Ford and Chevy Cs, and as with those, the genset doesn't get to use the whole tank. Figure about 20 hours max for a diesel genset pulling from a full Sprinter tank.

http://www.sportsmobile.com/5_sys_generators.html

With a full tanks Sportsmobile claims 76 hours.

The eTrek is a nice vehicle, but it uses a very proprietary combination of an alternator and inverters to run. Of course, there is the issue of running a Sprinter engine at an idle (need a high idle circuit so the DPF doesn't get clogged and throw codes.) Even then, I'd much rather put the wear and tear of constant use on a relatively (and relatively is the keyword here, as a diesel genset can be in the 8k range) inexpensive generator than on the Sprinter's engine.

There is one issue with diesel generators. On the Sportsmobile forum, a poster found an issue when the fuel went dry (under 1/4 tank) causing his diesel generator to run dry. He ended up having to bleed the injector until fuel was running, otherwise, he had RPM swings. Diesel engines are a lot less tolerant of running dry than gassers. So, I'd probably set a safety margin of 1/3 tank being time to flip the generator off and/or add more fuel.

Have you considered the RoadTrek eTrek? I am still thinking about trading my PW Excel for one of those eTrek (if I could see one).

Johnny

We have a vista cruiser sprinter with a 10 gal lp tank that holds 5 to 6 gal propane and. Overall it will run 10 to 11 hrs until out of fuel. Happy travels .

Come-N-Go wrote:
We are looking at getting a class B for second vehicle and weekend trips. My wife really likes the sprinter chassis models. I have a question on the LP system. We will be boondocking a lot using the A/C, and leaving the generator on with the dogs in the RV while we are out. Most of them only have a 10 LB tank it seems, how long will the generator run at max load on that small of a tank? The Chevy chassis draw from the gas tank, so that would be no problem....

Here is a chart comparing the 2800 to the 2500 Propane, and showing fuel consumption at different load levels for both gas, and propane. Scroll to page 29.
http://www.cumminsonan.com/www/pdf/rv/f-1123.pdf

Fastpaddler wrote:
Heh, Escargot. We have the same RV as you. Aren't we lucky. I only ran the aircon twice this summer when temp hit 90 plus and I was cooking inside the PW. I can appreciate our RV friends from Texas and those really warm States. I am wondering though if running an Onan generator for a day or more,continuously, is hard on the system. It IS a motor, after all. I have had the diesel genset and I prefer the LP one which is quieter. But I dont have the weather to deal with..

Generators are made to run, and running them continuously for days won't hurt them.
Keep the maintenance up, and they should last for many years. Better than letting them sit, with only an exercise once a month.
As far as noise level, the 2800, and the 2500 LP have the same specs. Both 71 db at half load.

Fastpaddler wrote:
Heh, Escargot. We have the same RV as you. Aren't we lucky.

Ummmm... the jury is still out.

I'll feel luckier when I stop comparing the Plateau to my PW Excel TD. They are very different vehicles.

I absolutely love driving the Plateau, the gas milage (wow!), as well as the extra length, and HEIGHT (love not bumping my head every now and again. And I'm only 5'7"!). I also appreciate the larger bathroom, but...

I miss the extra width (which translates into deeper galley drawers and cabinets; I miss the pantry of the Excel; and I miss the abundance of storage.

Now back to our regularly scheduled OP. :)

Heh, Escargot. We have the same RV as you. Aren't we lucky. I only ran the aircon twice this summer when temp hit 90 plus and I was cooking inside the PW. I can appreciate our RV friends from Texas and those really warm States. I am wondering though if running an Onan generator for a day or more,continuously, is hard on the system. It IS a motor, after all. I have had the diesel genset and I prefer the LP one which is quieter. But I dont have the weather to deal with..

Might be better served to have a gas and electric ac. When you are not hooked to electricity you can just run the gas ac instead of a generator. Let you know I drive a sprinter van for work. They get great milage but everytime we have even the simplest maintance do to that diesel engine Mercedes is into our pocket about $500. The good news is that routine maintance is every 10k instead of 4 to 5 k.

2-3 pounds per hour depending on size of A/C and duty cycle, thus about 13-19 hours off a 40 pound tank, with some reserve, unless your "10" is water capacity, then it is really an 8 gallon, or 32 pound tank, and the reserve is gone. If lives are at stake, assume the higher level of consumption.

At max load, the genset is going to use about 5-6 pounds of fuel per hour. Gensets and A/Cs in motorhomes are not sized to make running the A/C a maximum load. You would never get the A/C started if that were the case. Practice is usually to size so that the running A/C is about 30-50% load for the genset.

Diesel genset on a Sprinter, if you can find it, you still have a fuel supply problem, though it is probably easier to make sure you park with a full tank. Because MPG is high, Sprinter tanks are much smaller than the 35-60 gallons on Ford and Chevy Cs, and as with those, the genset doesn't get to use the whole tank. Figure about 20 hours max for a diesel genset pulling from a full Sprinter tank.

Ford and Chevy B's will also have smaller tanks than those provided with the heavier motorhome chassis. The vans don't usually have the auxilary fuel tap, so how much of the tank the genset can use may depend on te RV manufacturer's installation choices.