Propane Generators
How 'cum the RV stores don't offer propane gensets? Sure I can buy something on Amazon (or other online outlet) called an 'AllPower' portable propane genset or a 'Sportsman' portable that runs on pro...
Forum Discussion
Capt RonB writes "How 'cum the RV stores don't offer propane gensets? Sure I can buy something on Amazon (or other online outlet) called an 'AllPower' portable propane genset or a 'Sportsman' portable that runs on propane (probably made in China) but where's the brands that I recognize?"
Most likely the name brands Marketing Team did their homework and determined that Propane gens would not have a big enough market to sell to (AKA DEMAND for such a product).
The name brands must answer to their "share holders" or "stake holders" AKA the folks who "bankroll" the company. These investors demand a certain amount of "returns" for the money that is put into the company. Not enough market or too narrow or small = low returns.
The China imports have nothing to lose in the game, they are often very small "one man operations" and do not answer to large Corporate heads or investors. Basically anyone can do this by agreeing to by a container or two of product and most any company outside the States will be willing to build and sell what ever you feel like making.
"I think Honda, Yamaha and Subaru not to mention Kohler, Northern Lights and the rest are missing a significant market by not offering small light-weight portables of say 2000 to 3000 watts that run on propane."
These are large well established businesses and tend to stick to tried and true items which are agreed upon by their own marketing and sales people. Diving in to a small specialty market segment can be a hazard to profits plus not to mention a lot of new regulations.
"Why propane you ask? Well for one thing gasoline is messy, not to mention dangerous when refilling the fuel tank on a hot engine. Also gasoline, especially the ethanol mix types, go bad very quickly with age, gumming up small engine intakes, etc. Plus you have to figure out how to safely store/transport gas cans."
Propane while you feel it is easier to get, safer to store actually in a lot of places is just not so.
A 20lb cylinder contains very little liquid (3 gallons perhaps) and weighs 40 lbs when full and 20lbs empty. Thats a lot of weight.
A 5 gallon gas can weighs in at onces when empty and 40 lbs when full.
5 gallon of gasoline will run two to three times LONGER than a 20lb cylinder of propane and there is many more gas stations than propane sellers.
Propane is no safer than gasoline to use or store, in fact propane is heavier than air and has a nasty habit of collecting in the low places. Tends to go boom at a bad time if you are not aware of it.
"Propane burns cleaner, doesn't go bad when the camper sits in storage for a few months plus most TTs have a ready propane supply ... no additional storage/transport requirements. My TT even has a quick connect fitting for providing low pressure LP to an accessory appliance."
Propane does have some merit however to run a propane gen for long term you will need to carry a very large propane tank(s) when compared to gasoline. Some folks who have motorhomes with built in propane gens actually carry small gasoline powered gens and run them for small loads. Much cheaper and easier to buy gasoline than run the larger propane gen..
"It seems to me that a propane generator would be a better solution than gas but try to find one?"
There ARE lots of propane gens available, they however will not be cheap. If your heart is really set on having one then simply buy a built in one like a Onan, Genrac and such and treat it like a portable. Otherwise buy a China clone and enjoy the low cost savings.
Most likely the name brands Marketing Team did their homework and determined that Propane gens would not have a big enough market to sell to (AKA DEMAND for such a product).
The name brands must answer to their "share holders" or "stake holders" AKA the folks who "bankroll" the company. These investors demand a certain amount of "returns" for the money that is put into the company. Not enough market or too narrow or small = low returns.
The China imports have nothing to lose in the game, they are often very small "one man operations" and do not answer to large Corporate heads or investors. Basically anyone can do this by agreeing to by a container or two of product and most any company outside the States will be willing to build and sell what ever you feel like making.
"I think Honda, Yamaha and Subaru not to mention Kohler, Northern Lights and the rest are missing a significant market by not offering small light-weight portables of say 2000 to 3000 watts that run on propane."
These are large well established businesses and tend to stick to tried and true items which are agreed upon by their own marketing and sales people. Diving in to a small specialty market segment can be a hazard to profits plus not to mention a lot of new regulations.
"Why propane you ask? Well for one thing gasoline is messy, not to mention dangerous when refilling the fuel tank on a hot engine. Also gasoline, especially the ethanol mix types, go bad very quickly with age, gumming up small engine intakes, etc. Plus you have to figure out how to safely store/transport gas cans."
Propane while you feel it is easier to get, safer to store actually in a lot of places is just not so.
A 20lb cylinder contains very little liquid (3 gallons perhaps) and weighs 40 lbs when full and 20lbs empty. Thats a lot of weight.
A 5 gallon gas can weighs in at onces when empty and 40 lbs when full.
5 gallon of gasoline will run two to three times LONGER than a 20lb cylinder of propane and there is many more gas stations than propane sellers.
Propane is no safer than gasoline to use or store, in fact propane is heavier than air and has a nasty habit of collecting in the low places. Tends to go boom at a bad time if you are not aware of it.
"Propane burns cleaner, doesn't go bad when the camper sits in storage for a few months plus most TTs have a ready propane supply ... no additional storage/transport requirements. My TT even has a quick connect fitting for providing low pressure LP to an accessory appliance."
Propane does have some merit however to run a propane gen for long term you will need to carry a very large propane tank(s) when compared to gasoline. Some folks who have motorhomes with built in propane gens actually carry small gasoline powered gens and run them for small loads. Much cheaper and easier to buy gasoline than run the larger propane gen..
"It seems to me that a propane generator would be a better solution than gas but try to find one?"
There ARE lots of propane gens available, they however will not be cheap. If your heart is really set on having one then simply buy a built in one like a Onan, Genrac and such and treat it like a portable. Otherwise buy a China clone and enjoy the low cost savings.
