Keeping from making a $8656.11 mistake with fuel

[mlts22]

While motorhome shopping, the best thing that fits my needs so far is a Winnebago Fuse, which is a Ford Transit diesel rig. Since it is a diesel, it has a propane generator. This means I'll be hauling around my 3000 watt Yammy on a hitch mounted cargo rack when I'm boondocking, as well as a couple fuel cans.

I know this sounds dumb, but what is a good way to ensure there is no chance of the gasoline cans' contents winding up in the Fuse's diesel tank by mistake? The biggest (JMHO) problem with a diesel is that if the wrong fuel gets accidentally added, at the minimum, it will be a $8656.11+labor mistake (this being the cost of an entire engine assembly.)

The reason I ask this is that I've seen two instances of people who have Sprinter based motorhomes and portable gasoline generators destroy their rigs this year by adding the wrong fuel, and I just don't want to make this mistake.

[mlts22]

Thanks for the insight. With that in mind, the chances of me putting gas in a diesel tank are low to none, especially with never using fueling the vehicle from a can.

[creeper]

fj12ryder wrote:
^^^^^^^^^^^Can't believe they don't have a "Thumbs Up" emoticon. 🙂

[fj12ryder]

^^^^^^^^^^^Can't believe they don't have a "Thumbs Up" emoticon. 🙂

[hotpepperkid]

corvettekent wrote:
Just think green. Your diesel fuel cap is green and at the fuel station the diesel hose will be green. How would your generator gas get in your diesel?
One gallon of gas mixed with 50 gallons of diesel is not going to kill your diesel engine.

Be aware not all diesel nozzles at a gas station are green. Sometimes they are yellow

[MrWizard]

there is NO reason to poor the gas into a diesel

stop thinking i got to GAS UP !

are you in the habit, of pouring canned gas into your vehicle ?
perhaps for fuel rotation ?

i never have, the gas is for the genny and motorcycle

when i had a gasser, i did not carry cans, i had (1) can for syhponing gas from the gasser and immediately putting into the scooter

i installed a tap line and fuel water filter in the gasser and used that to get gas for the scoot

with diesel, i only buy gas when i am putting it in GAS containers

(strange how we still say cans, when most are red plastic)

[SaltiDawg]

mlts22 wrote:
...For 3+ days, I have a Yamaha 3000iSE, and several five gallon gasoline cans, and that would go on a hitch mounted cargo rack.

My intent was to make sure, by some procedure, that the stuff in the gas cans didn't wind up anywhere than the generator,...

I did not understand the geometry - again, zero RV experience.

I still believe that you could convert that Yamaha to propane and meet your objective of eliminating the risk of the wrong fuel in the wrong tank/can. Additionally, you will not have any concerns re carb gumming nor gas going stale. Could your plan to mount a hitch mounted cargo rack be modified to hold propane vice gas cans?

Some Options and Advantages of Yamaha Mods

[Sez_Hoo_]

I have a PowerTech 7kw Generator. It has a 3 cylinder Kabota Diesel engine

[mlts22]

The motorhome will have a LP gas Onan... however, with 10 gallons of usable propane in the tank, I'll get 20 hours out of the Onan before it conks, which means it will last two days at best in the Texas heat. For 3+ days, I have a Yamaha 3000iSE, and several five gallon gasoline cans, and that would go on a hitch mounted cargo rack.

My intent was to make sure, by some procedure, that the stuff in the gas cans didn't wind up anywhere than the generator, because I've seen two incidents of dead Sprinters killed by the wrong fuel. One of them was killed by gasoline, the other because someone added DEF into the diesel tank, causing ammonia to crystallize on the injectors, and destroying the entire fuel delivery system.

[fj12ryder]

If you reread the very first post it will all be made clear: diesel truck, OEM propane generator, aftermarket gas Yamaha generator.

[SaltiDawg]

creeper wrote:

He already has a propane generator on the RV.

I am not an RVer. I see in the OP that he has a propane generator, yet he says later:

"3: Fill up vehicle. Close fuel fill door and end transaction. Then, fill up the gas cans. Since I use premium unleaded for the generator (and create a new transaction for this), this addresses the fuel type issue for the cans."

I guess at least a few of us got confused. My ignorence showing, but if he has a diesel engine and a propane generator, why does he carry cans of gasoline?

Could you untangle this for me, at least. TIA

[creeper]

SaltiDawg wrote:

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

SaltiDawg wrote:

JayGee wrote:
I would use the propane gennie. Problem solved.

Couple of hundred dollar conversion kit for your existing gasoline generator... uscarbs.com for a start.
...

No need for a "kit" - or $200...:(

...

Send 'em your carb, it comes back in about 2 weeks modified for Tri-fuel.
The carb is returned "modified" - along with a regulator and the necessary fittings. (Guess that kinda makes it a "kit" also, LOL)

Cost was about $100.
May be more now - but liked their "program" better than US Carb.

...

You can do the same thing with uscarbs.com

A possible advantage to the uscarbs approach is that instead of drilling the carb, you have the option of slipping their "snorkel" - essentially a donut with a propane hose embedded - between the air cleaner and the carb body. Typically takes just a few minutes. If you want, you can return the generator to factory condition by simply removing it.

I have no experience with the other outfit, but you can read up on the uscarbs approach at their forum: US CARBS HELP FORUM

He already has a propane generator on the RV.

[SaltiDawg]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

SaltiDawg wrote:

JayGee wrote:
I would use the propane gennie. Problem solved.

Couple of hundred dollar conversion kit for your existing gasoline generator... uscarbs.com for a start.
...

No need for a "kit" - or $200...:(

...

Send 'em your carb, it comes back in about 2 weeks modified for Tri-fuel.
The carb is returned "modified" - along with a regulator and the necessary fittings. (Guess that kinda makes it a "kit" also, LOL)

Cost was about $100.
May be more now - but liked their "program" better than US Carb.

...

You can do the same thing with uscarbs.com

A possible advantage to the uscarbs approach is that instead of drilling the carb, you have the option of slipping their "snorkel" - essentially a donut with a propane hose embedded - between the air cleaner and the carb body. Typically takes just a few minutes. If you want, you can return the generator to factory condition by simply removing it.

I have no experience with the other outfit, but you can read up on the uscarbs approach at their forum: US CARBS HELP FORUM

[ol_Bombero-JC]

SaltiDawg wrote:

JayGee wrote:
I would use the propane gennie. Problem solved.

Couple of hundred dollar conversion kit for your existing gasoline generator... uscarbs.com for a start.

A 20# propane bottle equates to about 4 gallons of gasoline. If no propane, replace gas cans with brackets for 20# cylinders. (I have no RV experience, just propane generator experience.)

No need for a "kit" - or $200...:(

Central Maine Diesel

Send 'em your carb, it comes back in about 2 weeks modified for Tri-fuel.
The carb is returned "modified" - along with a regulator and the necessary fittings. (Guess that kinda makes it a "kit" also, LOL)

Cost was about $100.
May be more now - but liked their "program" better than US Carb.

Excellent service from Central Maine Diesel (I'm in So. CA) - and the natural gas, propane, gasoline "Tri-fuel" set-up - - although I have no desire to *ever* run my Yam 2400is on gasoline again.

Runs great on natural gas (at home) or propane on the road.
No gasoline "woes", StaBil or SeaFoam necessary..:C

Would "convert" again in a heartbeat if I bought a new gasoline powered generator - or would order same already converted to Tri-fuel.

I never checked the brands of diesel generators they carry, but they're in that business also.

(Usually -with the exception of Class A DPs - a diesel gen is impractical for other types of RVs due to the *weight* & noise).

Oh yeah - diesel p/ups since 1985 - along with lots of gasoline fueled toys (and before ethanol in gasoline) gas gens also.

It's *YOUR* job to work on *YOUR* plan for "Murphy Prevention"..:W



~

[creeper]

Why don't you just carry some propane cylinders and use the propane generator. You can get the propane just as easy as gasoline.