Dual alternator as a generator
On the EarthRoamer site they say; "We order Ford F-550 turbocharged diesel Power Stroke trucks with the dual alternator option which provides a quiet, fuel efficient, factory installed 3.7 kWh genera...
Forum Discussion
Buzzcut1 wrote:steve68steve wrote:Buzzcut1 wrote:
At idle, the Power Stroke diesel burns approximately .5 gallons of diesel per hour which is significantly less than many RV generators at full load."
that is flipping nuts. $4/ hour or $32/8 hours to run a generator if the fuel is at Ca prices of around $4.00/gallon. I'll take the Honda 2000 using two gallons of $3.75/ gallon gas to run flat out for 8hrs. And not coke up my engine
You missed the "1/2" in your calculation - it's $2/ hour. It may cost only $7.50 to run a Honda 2000, but it also costs $1000 to by it. You'd have to put quite a few hours on it until you started realizing a savings over idling diesel (provided your diesel was already set-up to charge).
Big diesel engines (trains, ships, back up power generators, etc.) run/ idle continuously - or at least used to, unless they're brought down for service. Idling is child's play for a diesel.
On the newer Diesels they specifically say not to idle them for extended periods ( at least on the powerstrokes they do) as the turbos, valves and egr coke up.
And the DPF will plug up faster as well, the last thing you would want is to be boon docking and have your truck go into limp mode with reduced power. And from what I understand if it does not regen it will shut down the motor when it gets to plugged up. Regen for the DPF filters(at least on the GM trucks) takes driving above 35 mph for at least 20 minuites to burn the soot out.
