Propane Generators

[Capt_RonB]

How 'cum the RV stores don't offer propane gensets? Sure I can buy something on Amazon (or other online outlet) called an 'AllPower' portable propane genset or a 'Sportsman' portable that runs on propane (probably made in China) but where's the brands that I recognize?

I think Honda, Yamaha and Subaru not to mention Kohler, Northern Lights and the rest are missing a significant market by not offering small light-weight portables of say 2000 to 3000 watts that run on propane.

Why propane you ask? Well for one thing gasoline is messy, not to mention dangerous when refilling the fuel tank on a hot engine. Also gasoline, especially the ethanol mix types, go bad very quickly with age, gumming up small engine intakes, etc. Plus you have to figure out how to safely store/transport gas cans.

Propane burns cleaner, doesn't go bad when the camper sits in storage for a few months plus most TTs have a ready propane supply ... no additional storage/transport requirements. My TT even has a quick connect fitting for providing low pressure LP to an accessory appliance.

It seems to me that a propane generator would be a better solution than gas but try to find one?

[fulltime5er]

SInce there are 2 sides to the propane vs gas gensets, can you put a gqas genset in the generator compartment of a 5th wheel (gen prepped of course), and run it from there with no worries about fumes in the RV? Filling might be an issue though.

[Atlee]

The same size motor will not produce the same amount of electric output. I'm very familiar with the small Onan that have been put on Class B's for near forever, because they are relatively compact. The one used for the gas powered B's are rated at 2.8K output. The exact same generator that uses propane is rated at 2.5K output.

Three years ago, I spent Labor Day weekend in Atlanta at a football game. Had to run the gas powered generator for 36 straight hours due to the heat and humidity in my Class B. It uses fuel from the B's regular gas tank. I could not have carried enough propane to drive a propane powered genny for that long.

By the way, they do make diesel powered gennys. All the Class A diesel pushers have diesel generators, but those big machines have the room for the larger sized gennys.

That is the weak point of the diesel powered Sprinter class B's. They aren't large enough to accept a diesel powered generator, so they have to use LP powered generators, yet the propane supply is relatively limited on them.

As for Honda, that company has done a magnificent job ( for Honda) in keeping the going price for a Honda in the stratosphere. Honda, as good as they are, are overpriced.

Capt RonB wrote:


Still a 10hp gas engine vs a 10 hp propane engine produces the same 'lectric output. The difference will be the cost of fuel which as near as I can tell is about break even.

Also while we're on the subject, why does a 'Sportsman' 4000 watt genset cost $900 and a Honda or Yamaha Equivalent cost $4000? I know I want a quality generator but the price difference seems extreme.

[DiskDoctr]

Swampman597 wrote:
...I see the Beem 2700 watt unit claims it consumes .38 gph which sounds pretty good.

Approximately 4.6 gallons in a FULL 20lb propane tank, which means just over 12 hrs per tank @ .38gph

Also consider you are competing for your propane with your FRIDGE, hot water heater, furnace, and stove/oven/grill. You may not need all of these (ie heater in the summer).

I am assuming this is for boondocking, else we wouldn't be talking about a generator.

Not saying it is worth it or not, just adding data 😉

[Swampman597]

CaptRonB - Like you, I had the same idea which is how I ended up here. The advice you (and me) got was great.

Hopefully, it doesn't sound like I'm beating a dead horse, but I have a question about the higher consumption rate for propane, I see the Beem 2700 watt unit claims it consumes .38 gph which sounds pretty good. I'm also very new to RVing and sometimes believe their advertised specs. Here it is:

http://www.wisesales.com/beem-2700-watt-camouflage-inverter-propane-generator-mo3000p.html

Also, it claims 31.7 amps. So, it sounds like a 2,700 watt propane generator with specs exceeding my 30 amp RV's needs and weighs just 68 pounds is available for less than $1,300 Is it really too good to be true? Oh yes, Northern Tool is selling it too.

Thanks

[Capt_RonB]

Thanks for the advice. The more I read the less I know about generators. I think that if I had a diesel motorhome, I'd buy a diesel genset but then I'm probably missing something there too.

The Conversion kit idea might just be the answer although it adds a couple of hundred to the price of the genset.

I guess that what I really want is the impossible. 50lbs, 5000 watts and runs an hour per pound of propane ... oh yeah and costs under $1000... just ain't happenin'.

While the btus per gallon of propane is less than gasoline ... depending on the data source ... 92-95,000 btus per gallon of propane vs 110-120 btus per gallon of gasoline, engines are more efficient on propane and pollute less.

Still a 10hp gas engine vs a 10 hp propane engine produces the same 'lectric output. The difference will be the cost of fuel which as near as I can tell is about break even.

Also while we're on the subject, why does a 'Sportsman' 4000 watt genset cost $900 and a Honda or Yamaha Equivalent cost $4000? I know I want a quality generator but the price difference seems extreme.

[Huntindog]

DesertTracker wrote:
I had a propane Generac on a Lance camper I owned before my current trailer and found it to be very convenient. It did not seem to use a large amount of propane and best of all, since I live in SoCal, it could go from sea level to 9000 feet in altitude without having to do anything but push the start button. It was a XXXX"P" generator and designed from the factory for propane; maybe the conversion kits cause less efficiency? (just speculating). During winter shutdown and storage, I did not do anything like on the gasoline generator with draining the carb bowl and gas tank of gasoline. It seemed pretty forgiving when I would forget to run it monthly also; after a long period of sitting, it would fire up and power my A/C and anything else needed pretty much immediately. Just my experience.

You must be a light user.
For such a user, propane may be just the ticket.
But,Propane has less energy in it than gasoline. There is simply no way around it.

[DesertTracker]

I had a propane Generac on a Lance camper I owned before my current trailer and found it to be very convenient. It did not seem to use a large amount of propane and best of all, since I live in SoCal, it could go from sea level to 9000 feet in altitude without having to do anything but push the start button. It was a XXXX"P" generator and designed from the factory for propane; maybe the conversion kits cause less efficiency? (just speculating). During winter shutdown and storage, I did not do anything like on the gasoline generator with draining the carb bowl and gas tank of gasoline. It seemed pretty forgiving when I would forget to run it monthly also; after a long period of sitting, it would fire up and power my A/C and anything else needed pretty much immediately. Just my experience.

[Lantley]

In the end there is not much demand for propane gensets.
As others have mentioned they are very inefficient vs. gas. I have a built in lp genset on my 5'er and it works great. Clean burning and convenient to use. No gas cans to deal with.
However it uses lots of propane. While you may not have to transport gas you will need to transport propane and lots of it.
Propane gensets have there place and are great for the casual user, but if you use your generator a lot gas is the more popular way to go.

[Gdetrailer]

Capt RonB writes "How 'cum the RV stores don't offer propane gensets? Sure I can buy something on Amazon (or other online outlet) called an 'AllPower' portable propane genset or a 'Sportsman' portable that runs on propane (probably made in China) but where's the brands that I recognize?"

Most likely the name brands Marketing Team did their homework and determined that Propane gens would not have a big enough market to sell to (AKA DEMAND for such a product).

The name brands must answer to their "share holders" or "stake holders" AKA the folks who "bankroll" the company. These investors demand a certain amount of "returns" for the money that is put into the company. Not enough market or too narrow or small = low returns.

The China imports have nothing to lose in the game, they are often very small "one man operations" and do not answer to large Corporate heads or investors. Basically anyone can do this by agreeing to by a container or two of product and most any company outside the States will be willing to build and sell what ever you feel like making.

"I think Honda, Yamaha and Subaru not to mention Kohler, Northern Lights and the rest are missing a significant market by not offering small light-weight portables of say 2000 to 3000 watts that run on propane."

These are large well established businesses and tend to stick to tried and true items which are agreed upon by their own marketing and sales people. Diving in to a small specialty market segment can be a hazard to profits plus not to mention a lot of new regulations.

"Why propane you ask? Well for one thing gasoline is messy, not to mention dangerous when refilling the fuel tank on a hot engine. Also gasoline, especially the ethanol mix types, go bad very quickly with age, gumming up small engine intakes, etc. Plus you have to figure out how to safely store/transport gas cans."

Propane while you feel it is easier to get, safer to store actually in a lot of places is just not so.

A 20lb cylinder contains very little liquid (3 gallons perhaps) and weighs 40 lbs when full and 20lbs empty. Thats a lot of weight.

A 5 gallon gas can weighs in at onces when empty and 40 lbs when full.

5 gallon of gasoline will run two to three times LONGER than a 20lb cylinder of propane and there is many more gas stations than propane sellers.

Propane is no safer than gasoline to use or store, in fact propane is heavier than air and has a nasty habit of collecting in the low places. Tends to go boom at a bad time if you are not aware of it.

"Propane burns cleaner, doesn't go bad when the camper sits in storage for a few months plus most TTs have a ready propane supply ... no additional storage/transport requirements. My TT even has a quick connect fitting for providing low pressure LP to an accessory appliance."

Propane does have some merit however to run a propane gen for long term you will need to carry a very large propane tank(s) when compared to gasoline. Some folks who have motorhomes with built in propane gens actually carry small gasoline powered gens and run them for small loads. Much cheaper and easier to buy gasoline than run the larger propane gen..

"It seems to me that a propane generator would be a better solution than gas but try to find one?"

There ARE lots of propane gens available, they however will not be cheap. If your heart is really set on having one then simply buy a built in one like a Onan, Genrac and such and treat it like a portable. Otherwise buy a China clone and enjoy the low cost savings.

[BubbaK]

http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Honda-EU2000i-Tri-Fuel-Kit.asp?page=Honda_EU2000i_Tri_Fuel_Kit&gclid=CK6a-cyDq7cCFY3m7AodSg8APw

I have this for a back-up for my Honda's (EU6500 and 2 EU2000). But use it for a back-up only. We live in the Hurricane state so you need to be ready for anything. But these kits will work if you needed to convert your Honda generators.

[BubbaK]

http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Honda-EU2000i-Tri-Fuel-Kit.asp?page=Honda_EU2000i_Tri_Fuel_Kit&gclid=CK6a-cyDq7cCFY3m7AodSg8APw

I have this for a back-up for my Honda's (EU6500 and 2 EU2000). But use it for a back-up only. We live in the Hurricane state so you need to be ready for anything. But these kits will work if you needed to convert your Honda generators.

[BubbaK]

http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Honda-EU2000i-Tri-Fuel-Kit.asp?page=Honda_EU2000i_Tri_Fuel_Kit&gclid=CK6a-cyDq7cCFY3m7AodSg8APw

I have this for a back-up for my Honda's (EU6500 and 2 EU2000). But use it for a back-up only. We live in the Hurricane state so you need to be ready for anything. But these kits will work if you needed to convert your Honda generators.

[Bionic_Man]

I have a built in Honda that runs on propane on my 5er. It works fine for short runs (microwave dinner) but uses a ton of propane during extended use - running the AC to cool the coach down, charging batteries. Mine uses enough propane that this weekend when I will do an extended boondocking trip, I will bring my portable Yamaha 2000 to charge the batteries if needed.

As was stated, propane is less efficient than gas, and I would argue is harder to fill. I'm sure there are conversion kits available, but I don't think there is a large market for it.

[Huntindog]

There are some downsides to propane gensets.

First is efficiency. Although TTs have a onboard propane supply, it won't last very long. It could possibly work for someone that does short trips and has light usage.

The next one sort of ties in with the first one. Since they are not as efficient as gasoline powered ones, they don't put out as much power for a given size.

I am a heavy user and do long trips. So it's gasoline for me.
YMMV