mounting a propane tank to bumper
we bought a 2019 northern lite it has the two little propane bottles like you see on b b q grills. I am looking for a way to mount either two of the same size tanks to the large bumper or even be...
Forum Discussion
Ron, I’ve done a version of both of those scenarios myself. In both instances though, I didn’t and wouldn’t recommend relying on the LP generator for long continuous use. Besides the higher fuel consumption, there are a couple of potential drawbacks to using a built-in LP powered generator in extreme temperatures that you need to be aware of.
The first was a planned trip, so there was plenty of time to prepare. It became clear pretty quick that I was going to need more than just extra propane, and I wasn’t going to be able to carry it all in the camper and truck. So, I borrowed a small cargo trailer and used it to haul extra propane, gasoline for the generator, water, etc. I took more than enough fuel for the trip, and used a combination of the campers furnace, and an electric heater to keep things warm. The Yamaha didn’t run 24x7, but it ran a lot. The Generac was used at least once a day and it never failed to start, but the temps never got down below the mid teens at night. I wouldn’t want to rely on it as our only source of power in dangerously cold weather though. I would always want a backup means of generating power in case of a problem with the LP flow in extreme low temps.
The other extreme has only been experienced a few times, mainly because as I said the “want to” factor just isn’t there for us.
The most extreme time was at Arches NP in July or August several years ago. We managed to get some hiking in before it got too hot one day, but when we got back to the camper it was well over 100 degrees, and the sun was shining directly on the corner of the camper where the built-in Generac is installed. The outside of the camper was too hot to even touch. I started the generator up to cool the camper off so we could rest and get cleaned up before getting on the road, and it ran for about 15 minutes before its over-temp limit switch shut it down. That figures.
The most recent was a trip we made out west in September last year, and we wanted to visit Joshua Tree NP. It was still pretty hot then, but we don’t make it out that way often, so we just decided to tough it out. Spent two nights at Jumbo rocks, and the daytime high was about 113. The campground has set generator hours, so we couldn’t use the built-in for air conditioning. 113 degrees is HOT, even with the low humidity. From about noon to 5pm, about the only thing we could do was stay out of the sun. I managed to keep the camper just under 100 degrees inside by using our awnings to keep the direct sun off of the camper as much as possible, and the fantastic fan. Fortunately, it cooled off enough at night to sleep.
But, and this is for Kayteg just to prove my heat and humidity “bona fides” (Information that serves to guarantee a person's good faith, standing, and reputation; authentic credentials), back when I was a poor young man living in the Florida panhandle in an uninsulated, flat-roof, 700 sq ft “bungalow” (actually more of a shack), that only had a window air conditioner that we couldn’t afford to run very often, I spent many a hot summer night sleeping in 90+ degree heat with 90+ percent humidity with only a fan in an open window for comfort. You do what you can afford to do.
:):)
The first was a planned trip, so there was plenty of time to prepare. It became clear pretty quick that I was going to need more than just extra propane, and I wasn’t going to be able to carry it all in the camper and truck. So, I borrowed a small cargo trailer and used it to haul extra propane, gasoline for the generator, water, etc. I took more than enough fuel for the trip, and used a combination of the campers furnace, and an electric heater to keep things warm. The Yamaha didn’t run 24x7, but it ran a lot. The Generac was used at least once a day and it never failed to start, but the temps never got down below the mid teens at night. I wouldn’t want to rely on it as our only source of power in dangerously cold weather though. I would always want a backup means of generating power in case of a problem with the LP flow in extreme low temps.
The other extreme has only been experienced a few times, mainly because as I said the “want to” factor just isn’t there for us.
The most extreme time was at Arches NP in July or August several years ago. We managed to get some hiking in before it got too hot one day, but when we got back to the camper it was well over 100 degrees, and the sun was shining directly on the corner of the camper where the built-in Generac is installed. The outside of the camper was too hot to even touch. I started the generator up to cool the camper off so we could rest and get cleaned up before getting on the road, and it ran for about 15 minutes before its over-temp limit switch shut it down. That figures.
The most recent was a trip we made out west in September last year, and we wanted to visit Joshua Tree NP. It was still pretty hot then, but we don’t make it out that way often, so we just decided to tough it out. Spent two nights at Jumbo rocks, and the daytime high was about 113. The campground has set generator hours, so we couldn’t use the built-in for air conditioning. 113 degrees is HOT, even with the low humidity. From about noon to 5pm, about the only thing we could do was stay out of the sun. I managed to keep the camper just under 100 degrees inside by using our awnings to keep the direct sun off of the camper as much as possible, and the fantastic fan. Fortunately, it cooled off enough at night to sleep.
But, and this is for Kayteg just to prove my heat and humidity “bona fides” (Information that serves to guarantee a person's good faith, standing, and reputation; authentic credentials), back when I was a poor young man living in the Florida panhandle in an uninsulated, flat-roof, 700 sq ft “bungalow” (actually more of a shack), that only had a window air conditioner that we couldn’t afford to run very often, I spent many a hot summer night sleeping in 90+ degree heat with 90+ percent humidity with only a fan in an open window for comfort. You do what you can afford to do.
:):)
