LP fuel Onan 5.5kw generator

[markm]

Considering an Onan 5.5kw generator on the next trailer. It will run off LP. Main use would be for power when stopping overnight at rest areas or parking lots. Also, charging batteries during generator hours when camped at national parks.

Relevant specs for the unit:
wt. - 288 lbs
LP usage:
.4 gals/hr at idle/ no load
.7 gals/hr at half load
1.1 gals/hr at full load

30 lb propane tank holds 7.5 gallons of propane.

At idle, one tank would last 18.75 hrs
Half load, one tank would last 10.7 hrs
Full load, one tank would last 6.8 hrs

For those who have this generator using LP as the fuel:
How do you manage your generator usage for the LP available on the trailer?
Do you carry extra 30 or 40 lb tanks in the truck?
Carry extra tanks or a larger tank on the trailer?

[Lantley]

pnichols wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Carrying,storing and transporting gasoline is a much bigger concern for me than contaminated propane.

That need not be a concern if you transport gasoline the correct way, safety-wise.

Here's similar to what we use to transport spare gasoline for our portable generator in an outside compartment in our Class C motorhome (we also have a built-in Onan gasoline generator): https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-U2-51-S-Galvanized-Capacity-Diameter/dp/B000BQO15I

My truck is diesel I have no desire to add a 3rd fuel to the equation

[pnichols]

Lantley wrote:
Carrying,storing and transporting gasoline is a much bigger concern for me than contaminated propane.

That need not be a concern if you transport gasoline the correct way, safety-wise.

Here's similar to what we use to transport spare gasoline for our portable generator in an outside compartment in our Class C motorhome (we also have a built-in Onan gasoline generator): https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-U2-51-S-Galvanized-Capacity-Diameter/dp/B000BQO15I

[johnhicks]

My LP Onan gummed up horribly last winter. It's only 25 years old. Had to change a line and regulator that were original equipment.

That said, if I expected to run a gen a lot I'd go with gas or diesel for ease of obtaining, carrying and storing fuel.

[Lantley]

I have a Onan 5500 LP that I use for overnighting and rest area stops. It works great. I have had no contamination or gumming issues. I do not need to carry gas cans. My RV can from the factory with 4-20# tanks. I have plenty of LP for overnighting. I seldom go off the grid or boondock.
For overnight and occasional use my 5500LP has been great.
While I respect Doug's opinion and experience I've seen had far more issues with gas gensets with stale gas and gummed up carburetors vs. lp issues.
Carrying,storing and transporting gasoline is a much bigger concern for me than contaminated propane.

[wantabe351]

When i installed my generator we went with the Gas version.Now when going away rving I have 2 type of fuel tanks made to carry in the bed of our truck. First type of fuel tank is the marine 7gal fuel tank sold at walmart, it has a 6' rubber hose with the quick connect end, easy on/off of the fuel hose.. I also made a 1.5Gal fuel tank to take on trips that I might need the Gen for only quick usage at rest areas along the highway..The Gen fuel connection is located on the RV attached to the bottom outer edge of the body near the landing gear leg....I did 2 RV's this way and carrying gas is a pain but its worked well for us..

[pnichols]

IMHO, whether or not one needs a generator in their RV depends upon whether or not they want a fully self contained RV for camping in spots that might require it. If you want to often or occasionally camp like that, then for a built in motorhome generator it's certainaly most convenient to have one that gets it's fuel from the main engine tank.

For us, we'd never consider owning an RV without a built in generator. We actually have two generators along on our RV trips - a built in Onan and a portable Honda. Here's some boondock and dry camping spots where we were glad we had a generator along:

[Dusty_R]

If I were to set up a stand by generator to use for when theres a power outage, which is seldom, I would set it up to use LP, because it does not go bad.

Dusty

[howardwheeler]

What exactly does Doug mean by do not “loop” propane lines?

[Chum_lee]

beemerphile1 wrote:
We have a Onan 3600LP Microquiet. We have found if you want cooling, find a campground with electric.

I feel the $4,000 our Onan cost in 2006 was a waste of money.

Yes. I have come to the same conclusion about A/C use if my gas genny is creating the electricity to run it at about $.75/KWH. (or more) Instead, I buy electricity from a 120V outlet (in an RV park) all day/night long at +-$.15/KWH, or, its included in the daily space rent.

That said, I'm still keeping the Onan 4K gas genny in my Class A for those times that I really need it.

Chum lee

[Dusty_R]

beemerphile1 wrote:
We have a Onan 3600LP Microquiet. We have found if you want cooling, find a campground with electric.

We have an inverter for occasional smaller loads like the television.

We primarily use the LPG fueled Onan for our morning coffee and the microwave as needed. We sometimes use it to put a little charge in the batteries but we carry a Champion 2000 watt when serious battery charging is needed.

I feel the $4,000 our Onan cost in 2006 was a waste of money.

Most TVs are 12 volt DC.
If yours has a wall wort, look at it and see what it says the out put is.
Most that are 12V also plug into the TV. You just need to get a cord that one end fits the TV and 12V on the other end.

Dusty

[time2roll]

$4,000 in 2006? Goes to show how solar, inverter, lithium battery has come down in price to accomplish the same tasks.

[beemerphile1]

We have a Onan 3600LP Microquiet. We have found if you want cooling, find a campground with electric.

We have an inverter for occasional smaller loads like the television.

We primarily use the LPG fueled Onan for our morning coffee and the microwave as needed. We sometimes use it to put a little charge in the batteries but we carry a Champion 2000 watt when serious battery charging is needed.

I feel the $4,000 our Onan cost in 2006 was a waste of money.

[Chum_lee]

Lynnmor wrote:
Google "propane contamination" and you will have plenty of reading. While propane is thought of as a clean fuel, apparently quality control is lacking.

You could call it "propane contamination" if you prefer. I prefer to call it adulteration. Natural gas, LPG, and propane are normally odorized with very small amounts with a chemical (gas) called methyl mercaptan which smells like rotten cabbage/eggs or a confined area which lacks freshness after someone breaks wind. The odor threshold is in the low PPB, that's Parts Per Billion so human olfactory glands (your nose) approaches that of dogs when methyl mercaptan is present. It's used to warn users of a gas leaks. Methyl mercaptan oxidizes easily and combines quickly with water to form gums and varnish which can plug propane lines, pressure regulators, shut off valves, etc. That's why its very important to ALWAYS keep some pressure in your propane tank and NEVER leave the system open to the atmosphere unless you want to go see Doug, . . . . . regularly. Generally, changing propane tanks regularly because they are too small (invites contamination) is not a good idea and should be avoided if possible.

Chum lee

[Lynnmor]

Google "propane contamination" and you will have plenty of reading. While propane is thought of as a clean fuel, apparently quality control is lacking.