Onboard LP gas generator?

Interesting how the luxuries from times past like AC have become necessities for so many. Somehow I managed to camp for more than half a century without AC.

With the propane generator figure on 0.4 gal per hour of operation. Campgrounds, thankfully have limits on how late you can run a generator.

Eric, thanks for the information sounds like I have the same generator. I will run it periodically and keep a close eye on it.

I did not have that problem with my previous 6.5L Onan propane generator, I did no maintenance and only put 25 hours on it over a period of 9 years. Still ran perfectly I wonder if environmental factors such as humidity has any effect?

mlts22 wrote:
...Another nice thing is that if it is maintained, it doesn't have the issues of varnish like a gasoline genset does....

Wrong.

Okay, maybe not varnish issues, but it can (and will) have fuel issues with the propane. Propane is a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. When left alone, it will continue to refine.

I found this out the hard way when my Onan 2500 got finicky one day. It would not hold a load and kept dying. I took apart the propane line and found it was full of oil. Since the generator is at the lowest point of the system, that is where it was all accumulating. I had to disconnect all the devices and blow out the system with degreaser.

The generator has not run as good since then. Probably some oil in the carb, but I have not taken it apart to troubleshoot.

I ended up building a oil trap in to the system after the propane tanks. Essentially a T-fitting with a drain at the bottom of a pipe which goes up for about a foot. This allows any oil to accumulate there and drip down to the T-fitting. I pull the cap off the T and clean the oil out once a year.

So no varnish like gasoline, but propane does present a different set of fuel related problems.

-Eric

I have a 2.5 KW Onan LP generator in my Lance. At half load, the fuel burn is about 1.5 lbs of fuel per hour. About 3 hours per gallon. So works out to be about 13 hours of run time per 20 lb tank. With our previous Lance which had a 7,000 BTU AC, I could run it with my Honda 2000 I generator. Much quieter and more pleasant to be near. Our Onan is loud but will start our 11,000 BTU generator if nothing else is turned on. If it is too hot to camp without AC, we find some place to plug in for the night most of the time. We use our built in occasionally to run the microwave, grind coffee, but we seldom use it. I have the Lance set up where I can hook it up to a 200 lb bottle if we need to live in it after a hurricane. This gives me about 125 hours of genny run time per bottle of propane.

mkirsch wrote:

mlts22 wrote:
Another nice thing is that if it is maintained, it doesn't have the issues of varnish like a gasoline genset does.

"if it is maintained"

The same thing could be said for a gasoline generator. You won't have a varnish problem if you maintain it properly...

Just sayin'.

As others have said. For now and then use the push button propane generators are very nice and have lower maintenance requirements. Running all of the time overnight I can see the appeal of the Honda's. If you are shopping for a unit seriously consider the Polar Cub AC units since a single Honda can run them.

mlts22 wrote:
Another nice thing is that if it is maintained, it doesn't have the issues of varnish like a gasoline genset does.

"if it is maintained"

The same thing could be said for a gasoline generator. You won't have a varnish problem if you maintain it properly...

Just sayin'.

mlts22 wrote:
I appreciate the opinions. I have a Yamaha 3000 iSE (not the SEB model as mentioned above with the 3500 watts for 10 seconds), which should be good enough to take the locked rotor amps of a 13500 BTU A/C. It is a relative porker, and would end up on a hitch mounted cargo rack with a ramp on it if I took it along.

The nice thing (to me that is) about an inboard generator is that you hit the switch, then you fire up the A/C. Done. Another nice thing is that if it is maintained, it doesn't have the issues of varnish like a gasoline genset does. Plus, depending on how the propane is stored, I can either carry additional bottles and switch them out, or add an Extend-A-Stay kit for additional run time. One can get a remote for the 3000 watt Yamahas, but in some areas of the country, it is nice to have an inbuilt, as it means one less thing a skulker can make off with while you are gone. (Not to say that the Onans are not theft-proof, but they are a lot harder to disconnect, unbolt, and rip out.) On shorter trips, I wouldn't have to worry about the space needed for the Yamaha generator, so no hitch mounted cargo rack needed.

I was right in the middle of typing a response about the generator on the other thread you have going when I saw this. From what you typed above, it sounds like you know the basics already. I had the Onan removed from my camper because I already had the Honda. We use our camper on the beach and as you know AC is essential in the summer. When I did the math on propane consumption, I found that it would cost me about $ 20-25 per night for 12 hours AC use with the Onan. The Honda uses about 2 gallons of unleaded for 12 hours so the cost is fairly significant over the whole summer. I do however regret losing the pushbutton convenience of the built-in. If money is no option, I would keep the built-in gennie and know that you can always bring the Yamaha as needed/wanted. Good luck

We've had Honda generators for at least 10 plus years and really liked them. Mine were often hard to start but once started ran wonderfully. As with any gas generator making sure the fuel is stabilized and the generator ran at least monthly throughout the offseason(winter). I just purchased a new TC and decided to go with the built in Onan propane generator 2500. After adjusted properly when picking up the camper in October very little vibration but noisier than the Hondas however,those were not built-in. I have had gas and propane generators in our fifth wheels over the years currently a Onan/Cummins gas 5500 in our Jayco. The convenience of pushing the button, not worrying about theft, easier maintenance and no loading/unloading each time is worth the slight increase in sound and thus our decision to go with the 2500 propane Onan generator on our current TC. I do not have plans for running the generator all day merely spot use similar to other posters however, if necessary, I would use it all day.

I appreciate the opinions. I have a Yamaha 3000 iSE (not the SEB model as mentioned above with the 3500 watts for 10 seconds), which should be good enough to take the locked rotor amps of a 13500 BTU A/C. It is a relative porker, and would end up on a hitch mounted cargo rack with a ramp on it if I took it along.

The nice thing (to me that is) about an inboard generator is that you hit the switch, then you fire up the A/C. Done. Another nice thing is that if it is maintained, it doesn't have the issues of varnish like a gasoline genset does. Plus, depending on how the propane is stored, I can either carry additional bottles and switch them out, or add an Extend-A-Stay kit for additional run time. One can get a remote for the 3000 watt Yamahas, but in some areas of the country, it is nice to have an inbuilt, as it means one less thing a skulker can make off with while you are gone. (Not to say that the Onans are not theft-proof, but they are a lot harder to disconnect, unbolt, and rip out.) On shorter trips, I wouldn't have to worry about the space needed for the Yamaha generator, so no hitch mounted cargo rack needed.

I have a Yamaha 3000 that well put out 3500 for a short time if needed. I can also just push my remote and it starts up and can shut it off with the remote. The difference is I don't even have to be in the camper to turn it on if I want. As long as I'm within range it well start it. I am going to set it up to ride on the tongue of my enclosed trailer that I have on order so it well be with us most of the time. When the trailer isn't I also have a Honda 2000i for those times. the Yamaha is also an invertor generator so when a lot of power is not needed it well idle down and only produce what is needed. I have had onboard generators before and the present camper is wired and generator ready but I'll stay with my Honda and Yamaha. This is IMO