Diesel Rig-- so Why Propane Generator ?

[Piney]

Found a diesel pusher Im interested in. Its got a propane generator. Being new to all this I pose the question-- Why a propane generator vs diesel/gasoline ?

[Bill_Satellite]

We had to dry camp in the heat of Summer in VA with a propane genset (with pets) which meant we had to run the generator 24/7 to survive the heat. After 48 hours we were just about out of fuel. Fast forward many years and we have a diesel generator and found ourselves working in the New Orleans area after hurricane Katrina and in one stink we had to run the generator for 9 days straight but did not need fuel. While these are obvious extremes the diesel generator handled the situation without missing a beat.

[dougrainer]

I would bet the OP is looking at a RV older than 2001/02. Back in the mid to late 90's, Diesel RV APU's were very expensive compared to LP models. So, the standard was a LP with the Diesel an expensive upgrade. The OEM's did not care about the fuel tank size and its limitations. Once the Diesel Pusher market took off in the 1999 model year, the Diesel APU's came down in cost due to the amount of APU's and Diesel motorhomes being built. The plain fact is--- having a LP APU on a Diesel pusher is a cost downgrade. I personally would NEVER have a LP Genset as (I am a RV Tech), have seen way to many problems with the fuel supply on LP gensets. If running the APU is not something you would need, then get a RV with a LP APU. If you plan on running the Genset for days at a time, then Diesel is the way to go. Doug

[MrWizard]

our is 6200w LP
the only time i wish we had diesel is when extended dry camping in hot weather needing the A/C

with 9 hours of A/C per day we get 3 days per fill up

other wise, i have NO regrets,

[Sez_Hoo_]

When my coach was still at the factory, a 6kw propane gen was standard equipment. The person that ordered it from Country Coach ordered the upgrade, which was a 7kw 3 cyl kabota diesel gen. I'm glad they did.

[down_home]

larmcintsh wrote:
Sure hate to see all the bad talk about a LP gen. I have a 1994 32' Monaco Dynasty (purchased new), it has the Kohlar LP gen 5000. It has a 45 gal propane tank. We have over 132,000 miles on the RV, and we dry camp 99 percent of the time. We have a 2000 watt invertor, charger, and I have never been close to running out of propane. The gen runs twice a day when dry camping to keep our 2 4D batteries charged. So anyway we think it is a great setup. Have a great day. Larry

Please don't think I was bad mouthing LP powered generator. I waas weight pros and cons as best I can judge it right now. If we get one here, at home, I'm sure that is what it will be unless the price of diesel/heating oil goes down. Might be cheaper anyway. We don't have a NG pipeline here in the boonies.

[larmcintsh]

Sure hate to see all the bad talk about a LP gen. I have a 1994 32' Monaco Dynasty (purchased new), it has the Kohlar LP gen 5000. It has a 45 gal propane tank. We have over 132,000 miles on the RV, and we dry camp 99 percent of the time. We have a 2000 watt invertor, charger, and I have never been close to running out of propane. The gen runs twice a day when dry camping to keep our 2 4D batteries charged. So anyway we think it is a great setup. Have a great day. Larry

[down_home]

Both are good but I vote Diesel.
Easy to always have a big fuel reserve.
Reliabiltiy, one vs another ,I don't know but when we change the oil and filter it doesn't look very dirty nor does the air filter. We don't have but about 300 hours or less, by memory, on ours.

[The_Shadow_Nos]

I had 2 coach's that had Propane generator. The second one the previous Owner said it was $5000 more for the diesel that was in 1995.

[wolfe10]

Diplomat Don wrote:
Yes, they do work and those who have them will obviously say they're not a problem, but they are. They're very loud and you will constantly be worrying about running out of propane.

Yes, there are negatives to propane generators, but noise is not one of them. 67 to 66 DB-- not much difference.

Propane: 67 DB: http://power.cummins.com/onanpowerWeb/navigation.do?pageId=978&parentId=533&linkName=RV%20Generators

Diesel: 66 DB: http://power.cummins.com/onanpowerWeb/navigation.do?pageId=962&parentId=533&linkName=RV%20Generators

Also note 290 lbs vs 420 lbs and size difference.

[jferre9570]

I have a propane gen-set. The size and weight considerations are why. I have converted my system so that it runs from high pressure vapor. I have now set up my propane system so that I can run everything in my coach, including the gen-set, from external tanks/cylinders. The only time I use internal propane is when I'm on the road, so I'm moving anyway.

[DSDP_Don]

I'm guessing you're looking at a 32' - 34' diesel MH. The short coaches use to come with the smaller LP generator because of space issues. Yes, they do work and those who have them will obviously say they're not a problem, but they are. They're very loud and you will constantly be worrying about running out of propane.

[bluwtr49]

The good part about a used MH with a propane genny is that the are almost always a lot less expensive to buy as few people want them if they can get a diesel set....bear that in mind when you think about potential future resale.

Personally, if I had two identical coachs to choose from and one had a propane genny, I wouldn't consider it. It may never happen but I know that I can get 2-300 hrs of genny time if needed on a single tank of fuel.

I don't buy into the propane genny as being less costly to maintain since the diesel maintenance cost is minimal.

[MrWizard]

It used to be common place, But diesel genset has become more common now

[C-Leigh_Racing]

A M/H with a propane gen set, would be a run forest run deal for me. I've been on weekend trips with one, in the "HOT" summer MO weather & its hard to find a dealer first thing Sat morning & then find one open on Sunday morning to fill the tank back up.
No Sir, no propane gen set for me.
The only advantage to a propane gen set, the inside of the engine will be as clean as the day it was put together at the factory, because with propane, you have no blow by products from the fuel like you do on a gas or diesel engine unit, so the piston tops & oil stay clean.
Neil