generator damages AC, other electornics

jkwilson wrote:


That is not only not simple, it’s not possible without extensive redesign of the equipment being powered by the generator.

How will the fuel level sensor shut down the Generator?
(Logically by killing the ignition by using a switch or relay.

WAIT.> RELAY... Yup relay.

Well either another relay (And make it the pilot) or another set of contacts on the same relay can break the output leads so it shuts off .Exactly as though you pulled the plug.

Not hard at all.

My Champion 3400 has a remote start/stop function. I've been using it for years without harming my RV. I do try to make sure heavy loads are off first. As already mentioned power outages do much the same thing. I've never lost anything that way either. Much ado about nothing in my mind.

Timeking wrote:
My suggestion was when low fuel is detected, DISCONNECT THE POWER FEED, and THEN shut the engine down. Two phases.

so the already small fuel tank is now smaller, to solve a non existant problem, reduce run time, cause confusion, extra expense, and frustration from users.

Now a low fuel light would be nice. And it's very easy to implement. Like on my motorcycles (and some cars as well). fuel tank has a thermistor in the fuel tank near the bottom. current source runs constant current through the thermistor, gas keeps the thermistor cool. when fuel level gets low, (below the thermistor) thermistor temp rises as it warms up, signals low fuel light to come on. simple, reliable, and doesn't need any float. very consistent on what level triggers it.

jkwilson wrote:
Nothing special about the Champions. Every manufacturer has a similar warning and similar risk of damage.

How exactly would a generator know it was getting ready to run out of fuel until the instant there was no fuel? And how would the generator do a “smart shutdown”? It’s the equipment that needs to be turned off.

The answer is simple: Pay attention to how much fuel you have and shut equipment off to refuel before the tank is empty.

Exactly, it’s SOP - no the sky’s not falling..

3 tons

ktmrfs wrote:

Timeking wrote:
My suggestion was when low fuel is detected, DISCONNECT THE POWER FEED, and THEN shut the engine down. Two phases.

so the already small fuel tank is now smaller, to solve a non existant problem, reduce run time, cause confusion, extra expense, and frustration from users.

Now a low fuel light would be nice. And it's very easy to implement. Like on my motorcycles (and some cars as well). fuel tank has a thermistor in the fuel tank near the bottom. current source runs constant current through the thermistor, gas keeps the thermistor cool. when fuel level gets low, (below the thermistor) thermistor temp rises as it warms up, signals low fuel light to come on. simple, reliable, and doesn't need any float. very consistent on what level triggers it.

Except the OP was asking about a dual-fuel generator which are typically purchased specifically to run on external propane tanks.

Reality is shutting down by running out of fuel and some sort of sensor that shuts the generator down when fuel gets low effects pretty much the same thing...the generator shuts down with what ever electrical devices still running until power is cut.

If you are manually shutting the generator down (not running out of fuel), it's nice to shut down the major electrical draws but that's a "nice to do". It's not a "your rv electrical system will die" kind of thing.