LP Generator vs Diesel Generator

I would go with the propane unit.If you are not going to use it that much. The worst thing you can do to a diesel is not use it.Fuel can go stale. Injector pumps can gum up (money). Things can get expensive with a diesel real quick.

We will be camping with Elec hookups most of the time, no other hookups but some boon docking as well.

KC

PROPANE. Harder to buy, transport and store. An engine from the ground up should be designed or modified for LPG use. Higher compression, different camshaft bigger valves and ready to deal with lots more generated heat. LPG engines run HOT! They also tend to leak more lube oil through seals and gaskets.

But oil stays crystal clean for months and years. Spark plugs look almost new after a thousand hours of use. Exhaust components last longer than they would of gasoline were used. Diesel exhaust plumbing lasts a long time as well.

Expect to consume 25% more fuel in gallons for a given load than gasoline and more than that if you compare LPG to diesel.

Ready to change diesel lube oil can be almost black and the soot within can permanently stain clothing and other articles. The black stain is difficult to remove from skin. Diesel needs help when the temperature is below freezing. Compression ignition relies on compressed air cylinder temperature to rise high enough to ignite fuel spray from the injectors. Cold diesels need to crank FAST, and perhaps use a glow plug to help bring combustion chamber temperatures up to snuff so the starter motor does not get worn out. Diesel engines are heavier, sometimes much heavier than an air cooled gasoline or LPG engine.

But the cost of fuel, the cost of operation tilts wildly in favor of diesel over LPG.

Regarding CO. LPG engine produce substantially less CO than gasoline engines. That's why you see pots of LPG strapped to warehouse fork lifts. The key word is -less-. CO can easily kill, make no mistake about it.

I have THREE CO alarms in my rig and they get tested. Bedroom, kitchen, and one placed nearest the generator on the inside wall. Not quite ready to shake hands with Saint Peter, yet.

ScottG wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Diesel combustion stinks, and brings with it the very real threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. By contrast, propane generators have little/no odor, and when operating outside an enclosed space make virtually no CO.

Propane powered engines make a substantial amount of CO - easily enough to kill.

Only if used in an enclosed space, and only THEN by virtue of their consumption of room oxygen. Propane combustion itself produces very little CO, unlike gas and diesel generators. When outside and/or properly vented, there's no risk at all. Not true for gas/diesel units, whose CO-laden exhaust can seep into the living space through the smallest of openings.

In fact, a small propane-powered generator produces about 90% less CO than its gasoline powered equivalent. That's such a significant difference that agencies attempting to reduce the number of CO related deaths/illnesses after events like hurricanes are recommending conversion of gas powered units to propane. Source

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Diesel combustion stinks, and brings with it the very real threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. By contrast, propane generators have little/no odor, and when operating outside an enclosed space make virtually no CO.

Propane powered engines make a substantial amount of CO - easily enough to kill.

LP gen has served us well for our minimal needs - 5 to 10 hours a month on a typical trip.

We use it in really hot places to turn on AC and cool off fast (doesn't take long with a smaller rig) while stopped for lunch. We do camp without electric hookups now and then, and the gen is great for AC, microwave, and running the outlets for coffee-making, charging up cell phones, etc.

We've got the propane tank on board anyway for the three-way fridge, stove, furnace (and as an option for heating water when not on 110.) And we have never had any problems getting it refilled in all our US and Canada travels (an argument you sometimes hear.)

Off topic, but one good thing about downsizing, is that you'll often find good smaller campsite availability with 30 amp in some highly scenic and low cost public campgrounds. If/when you have the senior pass, at half price.

I have a Sprinter with an LP generator. Whenever I boondock I carry a gasoline portable for charging the battery because the LP generator eats through the propane really fast and is pretty noisy inside the coach. If you're going to do any serious running of the air conditioner or extended battery charging, get the diesel generator or carry a portable as I do. I cannot run the 15kbtu air conditioner from the portable I use.

On the other hand, for occasional short use, the LP generator wins. Our main use is to run the microwave and to top off the battery. Unlike the diesel version, the LP generator has no issues with old fuel, the fuel pump, or gummed-up fuel system components. It's much more tolerant of not getting its regular exercise, stinks less, costs less, and at least some think makes less noise. I'd expect that the diesel generator has higher repair costs. The answer lies in how you will be using the generator most of the time. Different answer for different owners.

LP will put you in the poor house.

Diesel combustion stinks, and brings with it the very real threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. By contrast, propane generators have little/no odor, and when operating outside an enclosed space make virtually no CO.