BillandCarole wrote:
Our Honda's in parallel cycle up and down in Eco, depending on the load. When off Eco, they run flat out and are very NOISY, even for Honda's. What we are really trying to avoid is draining all three tanks. Taking the generator covers off is a HUGE hassle, and requires the 5th wheel be off the truck in order to lift the cases off. We often
boondock for the night when were moving, not disconnecting. Running out of fuel then would be dammed inconvenient. It is difficult enough refilling the aux tank when connected. Which raises a question. If I refill the aux tank with the generator tanks empty, what do I have to do to get the generator(s) to restart. I read in other RV.Net posts of people installing outboard motor (bulbs) primers to restart the Honda's. Is this what it takes? I am also considering carrying a 5 gallon fuel can to refuel. This will require a funnel with a hose. ugh.
The 4.3 hours per gallon is, I feel, a "generous" estimate. I would be delighted with 30 hours of run time. In a weeks time with the single gen running we still had the gallon in the gen plus a couple in the aux tank. I never tracked the actual hours we ran, although it was no more than necessary to keep the rig batteries fully charged.
I will also comment, when one ran out of fuel, with the AC on, it "stopped" the 2nd generator which still had fuel. Both had to be restarted.
Thanks for all the help
Bill
About the fuel disbursement: I have a contractor generator (not used for camping) that has a removable plastic tank. There is a quick coupler on the fuel line. I would imagine having two of these styles of tanks would ease the worries of fuel filling and get rid of a funnel.
If outboard marine tanks can be used, that would also eliminate a lot of struggle. I don't know if these small generators can use a pressurized tank or if venting the outboard tank is necessary. If venting, closing the cap and using the bulb for starting and then opening the cap could be done.