Gas or diesel?

[RayUSMC]

Can we discuss pros & cons re gas or diesel? We're still looking at Bs. Some are gas, some diesel. We don't like the higher $/gal of diesel because it would offset any real savings from the higher mpg rvs for trips.

Anyone here with a diesel that has also owned a gas? Would you share the comparison?

[Davydd]

wincrasher65 wrote:

Davydd wrote:
I might be able to shed a little light on a diesel generator in a Class B. As I said before I know of one person with a Sprinter that he built DIY with a diesel generator. He told me at Advanced RV Fest and Open House last May that when he installed his it fit in his T1N model (pre 2007). He also told me since then they had modified the generator design that he bought and it is now deeper. I'm not sure which generator he used but he indicated he couldn't do it again.

Those diesel generators in Class B Sprinters are all old links. Advanced RV never followed through or there would have been something mentioned after 2012. When we discussed options at Advanced RV Fest the subject never came up. When I negotiated options for my RV at Advanced RV it was never listed, offered or suggested.

Advanced RV has pushed the envelope on a lot of things. That's their forte. They will build to what a customer wants but if it is simply not feasible they won't do it. In that link all they said is they were going to get one and test it. They never said it was available. There was never any followup. Isn't that telling?

I think if a diesel generator was feasible in a Sprinter Class B van all the manufacturer/converters would be jumping on the idea.

The one that sportsmobile is offering is a fairly large package - 28" x 23" x15". That is a pretty big box you have to find a place for. I suspect the only possible location is behind the rear axle, which makes some tank placement choices difficult depending on your interior layout. Knowing this, it would certainly seem more attractive to a van builder to want to do the 2nd alternator route if they can make it workable. It gets even worse if you select a short wheelbase van and are trying to place both a lp tank and lp generator in an even more limited space.

That's a big generator. I just checked the generator on my Great West Van Legend. It is 22" x 16.3" x 12.8" deep. The clearance of the generator itself from the ground is 9.5" but there is an exhaust pipe that routes out from the bottom and makes a tight bend before going parallel to the ground. That clearance is 7" If you add 2.2" to the generator as that Powertech is then that exhaust pipe clearance would reduce to 4.8". That to me is not feasible. The smallest Onan diesel generator is 18" deep. With that it would mean the exhaust pipe would be 2.2" off the ground and the generator 4.3" off the ground.

[wincrasher65]

Davydd wrote:
I might be able to shed a little light on a diesel generator in a Class B. As I said before I know of one person with a Sprinter that he built DIY with a diesel generator. He told me at Advanced RV Fest and Open House last May that when he installed his it fit in his T1N model (pre 2007). He also told me since then they had modified the generator design that he bought and it is now deeper. I'm not sure which generator he used but he indicated he couldn't do it again.

Those diesel generators in Class B Sprinters are all old links. Advanced RV never followed through or there would have been something mentioned after 2012. When we discussed options at Advanced RV Fest the subject never came up. When I negotiated options for my RV at Advanced RV it was never listed, offered or suggested.

Advanced RV has pushed the envelope on a lot of things. That's their forte. They will build to what a customer wants but if it is simply not feasible they won't do it. In that link all they said is they were going to get one and test it. They never said it was available. There was never any followup. Isn't that telling?

I think if a diesel generator was feasible in a Sprinter Class B van all the manufacturer/converters would be jumping on the idea.

The one that sportsmobile is offering is a fairly large package - 28" x 23" x15". That is a pretty big box you have to find a place for. I suspect the only possible location is behind the rear axle, which makes some tank placement choices difficult depending on your interior layout. Knowing this, it would certainly seem more attractive to a van builder to want to do the 2nd alternator route if they can make it workable. It gets even worse if you select a short wheelbase van and are trying to place both a lp tank and lp generator in an even more limited space.

[wincrasher65]

It does boggle - each of those batteries are 150 lbs! And should be around 21" x 11" x10".

[Davydd]

I might be able to shed a little light on a diesel generator in a Class B. As I said before I know of one person with a Sprinter that he built DIY with a diesel generator. He told me at Advanced RV Fest and Open House last May that when he installed his it fit in his T1N model (pre 2007). He also told me since then they had modified the generator design that he bought and it is now deeper. I'm not sure which generator he used but he indicated he couldn't do it again.

Those diesel generators in Class B Sprinters are all old links. Advanced RV never followed through or there would have been something mentioned after 2012. When we discussed options at Advanced RV Fest the subject never came up. When I negotiated options for my RV at Advanced RV it was never listed, offered or suggested.

Advanced RV has pushed the envelope on a lot of things. That's their forte. They will build to what a customer wants but if it is simply not feasible they won't do it. In that link all they said is they were going to get one and test it. They never said it was available. There was never any followup. Isn't that telling?

I think if a diesel generator was feasible in a Sprinter Class B van all the manufacturer/converters would be jumping on the idea.

[bobojay5]

wincrasher65 wrote:
I stand corrected on Sportsmobile - if you look at their price sheet, there is a section at the bottom left for sprinter only that lists a Diesel generator - for $7,700. It's not with the other generator information on the sheet so I missed it.

Still we don't know what you may give up to be able to fit it. Hopefully only ground clearance. One guy in the forum says he has one, plus 3 8D batteries! Wonder where they go?

They are probably under the back floor, although not knowing the physical size of the genset, I stand to be corrected here.
I would bet it doesn't have a spare tire back there....

[gerrym51]

i look at sportsmobiles site pretty regulary-this is a new price sheet updated 7/1/14 even though the main sheet sats 2/14.

the high out put alternator and the powertech are very recent additons to that sheet

linky to pdf

lower left is this new info

[davegvg]

wincrasher65 wrote:

davegvg wrote:
Here it is one sportsmobiles website as an option

http://www.sportsmobile.com/5_sys_generators.html

UD

I posted that link in my previous post, genius. Now follow the price sheet link and look at the generator section. They even have options for portable generators that are pretty cool.

The link you have looks like they made that page in 2008. The price sheet is dated 7/1/14. Guess they keep up to date on the money.

Seems like you must have missed the option - its there. 7751.00

Lower left corner - not with the other gensets on the list under - Sprinter only.

UD

[wincrasher65]

I stand corrected on Sportsmobile - if you look at their price sheet, there is a section at the bottom left for sprinter only that lists a Diesel generator - for $7,700. It's not with the other generator information on the sheet so I missed it.

Still we don't know what you may give up to be able to fit it. Hopefully only ground clearance. One guy in the forum says he has one, plus 3 8D batteries! Wonder where they go?

[davegvg]

Arizona Kid wrote:
How about taking the time to learn how to make your links active. Making us copy and paste is a drag!
Go over the Forum Tech support and read the Stickies there.

Wil do sir.

Between the 10 or so sites i frequent this is the only one that doesn't self activate links.

UD

[wincrasher65]

davegvg wrote:
Here it is one sportsmobiles website as an option

http://www.sportsmobile.com/5_sys_generators.html

UD

I posted that link in my previous post, genius. Now follow the price sheet link and look at the generator section. They even have options for portable generators that are pretty cool.

The link you have looks like they made that page in 2008. The price sheet is dated 7/1/14. Guess they keep up to date on the money.

[Arizona_Kid]

How about taking the time to learn how to make your links active. Making us copy and paste is a drag!
Go over to the Forum Tech support forum and read the Stickies there.

[davegvg]

Arizona Kid wrote:
Dave, quit deleting you posts, admin hass to come in and delete your deletes. Just edit them, and add what you want to say.

Sometimes when I try to edit a post I end up with a duplicate post.

Those are the deletions.

This has happened to me on this website since Ive been coming here.


UD

[davegvg]

Here it is one sportsmobiles website as an option

http://www.sportsmobile.com/5_sys_generators.html

UD

[gerrym51]

Sportsmobile-is actually 3 parts. Indiana and Texas technically owned by same person. Sportsmobile west is actually a franchise granted by the owner of sportsmobile texas who also owns Indiana.

powertech redesigned its diesel generator. i've read it no longer fits the sprinter van.

so some older sportsmobiles have these powertech but newer do not.

[wincrasher65]

As far as I have proved, if the OP is looking at new vans, on dealer lots (I assume as he indicated they are out looking at vans), then the answer holds that it's not available. Not available for order either as far as I can tell.

If the OP is looking to buy used, then the answer is maybe you can find and old one. They are a very rare beast.

If the OP is looking to commission a custom built, new rig, then the answer is, maybe, if Sportsmobile will do it for you.