OK, What's Wrong With Propane Generators?

The biggest drawback is fuel. You use a lot of it. If you are out in the summer, and need to run the generator 12 hours or more a day, it will use a LOT of fuel. And, it is harder to transport propane to your campsite.

If you have a diesel generator, you can run a long time on the fuel in your tank.

My Bluebird has a 300 gallon diesel tank. I can run the generator a loooong time! Even with a 80 to 100 gallon tank, it will last many days. And, you can transport more in fuel cans, and dump in the tank if needed. Harder to refuel propane.

If you only do a couple days at a time, then the propane is a pretty good deal.

They are reliable , run clean.
Problem is if you boondock or tailgate a lot you have to refill your lp tank every 30 hours or so.

a diesel genset will run from the main fuel tank and have a lot more fuel available
also diesel has more BTUs per gallon than propane, so the same KW genset will use less diesel per hour for the same load, than one running on propane

when OUR safaris were built diesel generator were NOT a common option, being larger and more expensive than the LP onan

ours is a propane ,hardly used. its all in the way you camp. some campers are always plugged into shore power others sometimes . propane burns cleaner engine stats cleaner.

Cost to operate. They do run cleaner and require less attention.

Ok that makes sense. I did a search on the subject and saw that the difference in fuel consumption is about .2 gph. The DW isn't big on boondocking, so I guess I'm good. I wanted to make sure there wasn't a boogey man sitting under the bed. :)

Hi,

Diesel gen sets often run at half the speed of gasoline or propane models. Less speed = less noise and vibration. Much cheaper to run, too.

Usually the same type of generator on propane will have a lower wattage output than when used on gasoline or diesel fuel.

Nothing at all wrong with Propane generators except that propane does not have the "Punch" of either Gasoline or Diesel, so you burn more (Gallons) of Propane.

Many Motor homes carry as much as 60-100 Gallons of Gasoline or in the case of Diesels, 100- Well some carry 300 gallons. The Generator has access to the top 3/4 of the tank so you can easily have 40-50 gallons of gasoline or.. A whole lot of diesel,, Propane however I only carry around 25 gallons max.

So the issue with propane generators is fuel consumption v/s size of tank (run time). I can go days on Gasolin, but on Propane, Id be doing good to make it 24 horus.

In addition: Some folks are scared of propane.. I'm not, having grown up with it, but some folks are.. I do understand the fear... (I mean I gave the best answer the instructor ever had to the question about mixing air, propane, and a match) (You land 2 counties over), but I do not share it.

But the major issue is simply how much propane you carry v/s how much "Main engine fuel".

I would say there isn't anything wrong with them, however, I'd prefer a generator that would fill up at any gas station.