Champion 3100 - running an AC - how many hrs out of a tank?

MrWizard wrote:
LP has less Btus of energy per gallon than gasoline ,
It will always use more LP than gas

But if you reverse the test, and use LP first, i think it will use a little bit less lp and a little more gas

I'm curious Mr.wizard why would reversing the test have different results?
Mel

:)

Unyalli wrote:
Champion 3400 duel fuel running 15k AC off RV propane system

- Jeff

Thats the regulaters I have but I have no desire to hook up to my RV tanks I use those for Fridge, hot water and if its raing then cooking
I cook outside on a separate stove and tank. I'm not to concerned as I said I really don't expect to use it all that much. When we are at our off grid property on the Canadian border we don't have to many days that we need the A/C, but a lot of cloudy days
I will most likly only use it to recharge battery bank when the sun doesn't shine for a few days.And up there I have two 25 gallon tanks of propane if I needed it.
Mel
Mel

Champion 3400 duel fuel running 15k AC off RV propane system

- Jeff

If your so inclined, you can build your own kit by sourcing all the parts on Amazon. They watching the Pinellas video carefully, you can install it. That's what I did. The total cost for parts was roughly $70. I posted a parts list in a previous thread, just search for postings by me 'hbillsmith'.

If you haven't watched the Pinellas video, do a search on youtube for Pinellas Champion

hbillsmith wrote:
You can add an extended run tank using the Pinellas kit and a standard Yamaha connector outboard marine gas tank. The built in tank is 1.6 gallons good for 4 or 5 hours of A/C. I use a 6 gal. External tank that I share with my outboard. With the external tanks you can swap without worry about spilling gas on a hot genny and causing fire.

Is this what your using?
Extended Run Time Remote Fuel Tank Kit For Champion 3400 Watt Generator Gasoline only Not Dual Fuel
Extended Run Time Remote Fuel Tank Kit For Champion 3400 Watt Generator Gasoline only Not Dual Fuel
This is not some cheap gravity feed system, it uses an internal fuel pump included in the kit to transfer fuel so the remote tank does not need to be higher than the generator to work.

View Product $249.00
Nice but I don't know about another $250
Mel

Sandia Man wrote:
We have been 6 hours using our AC but turned it off before generator could run dry. There are variables involved making the exact amount of time hard to pinpoint, we did have converter on and were using tv and satellite but fridge and water heater were on propane. In no way does our Dometic 13.5K AC unit max out our Champion 3100 watt genny, under the above scenario we were camping at over 7K elevation and genny was in eco-mode the whole time never missing a beat.

Did you have to change to the high altatude jet? When I told the owner of the Co. that I bought my Champion from, that we have property on the Canadian Border at 4200' Elavation. He sent me a high altatude jet for free. But we haven't been back there yet.
Mel

MrWizard wrote:
LP has less Btus of energy per gallon than gasoline ,
It will always use more LP than gas

But if you reverse the test, and use LP first, i think it will use a little bit less lp and a little more gas

I tried that but didn't mention it. I warmed it up about 5 minuites on propane and when I ran the A/C the overload would pop. After this happened a few times, I went to the gasoline and no problem. After the hour test, I went back to the propane and it didn't over load it. I guess it has to really be a very warmed up motor before the propane will work. and we really should only need it for the A/C or to recharge battery bank, if we have non solar charging days. Between our solar system and our Mr. Buddy heater I don't expect to use it much, and yes it is great to have the dual fuel option. and the remote or even just the electric start is a great option, especially for my wife. Sometime while boondocking I'll take off and go fishing our hiking around with the dog before she even gets up, so if she needs it she doesn't have to go out in the cold to pull start a motor. Like I told my wife when I bought the solar and then this Champion, the older I get I don't want to change where we camp or how long we camp. I just want to make it easier to do. Bottom line is I'm glad I chose this model.
Mel

LP has less Btus of energy per gallon than gasoline ,
It will always use more LP than gas

But if you reverse the test, and use LP first, i think it will use a little bit less lp and a little more gas

I have paid as little as $1.99 for Propane in Quartzite to as much as $3.15 at Yellowstone KOA. At those same times, Regular Gas was $2.25 (same both places). This would make propane anywhere from twice to three times as expensive. But worse, if you are running attached to your RV's grill port off of a 20# (aka 5 gal) tank, you'll run out in the middle of the night and if its winter it would take your heater off.

But the good news, if you're traveling and making a short dry-camp style stop at a rest stop or retail parking lot, you may be able to plug in propane and run for that 30-45 minutes of quick stop.

It's always nice to have options. I'd still like to have the option for my Champion.