Community Forums

joeplazek · 03-07-2014, 02:03 PM

I always try to keep topped up. Keeps moisture out of the tank and doesn't hurt $$ as much when I fill,,,,, 200 gallon tank,,,,, YIKES!!

joe

wa8yxm · 03-07-2014, 05:59 PM

Quarter tank on the gauge.. not sure what that is in reality since fuel gauges are known for being far from accurate.

onechaddude · 03-07-2014, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87Rockwood

You could use a electric dual tank valve and plum it up so one "tank" is the same fuel feed line as the engine and the other "tank" is the normal fuel feed for the generator. That way when you are travaling down the road it will not cut out but when you park it it will not drain your gas tank dry.

Rockwood87
That's a good idea. Would work great. Only problem is it is above my level of expertise. And if like anything else with me, something else to break.
Chad

Dr4Film · 03-09-2014, 07:15 AM

My fuel gauge is not all that accurate so I go by how many gallons are left in the tank.

I also use the Silverleaf VMSpc system so it is easy to track how many gallons I have left in my tank.

According to Monaco, my tank is 128 gallons. Not sure how accurate that number is as I have never let the tank run out YET.

But I do know that one day both the generator and my Aqua-Hot quit at the very same time. A day or two later we were leaving on a side trip so the very first thing I did ws to fill up. It took 85 gallons of fuel to fill therefore based on math there should have been 43 gallons of fuel left in the tank.

That computes to about 35% of a tank or a little over 1/3 of a tank. It would be better if it was closer to 20-25% or a 1/4 of a tank but it isn't that far off to go through the trouble of lengthening it.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

bdpreece · 03-15-2014, 09:02 PM

Extended my generator fuel pickup tube an extra 3 inches today. I traced the pickup line from the generator and then removed the pickup tube from the tank. I was able to purchase a nylon fuel line repair kit at Auto Zone PN 800-064 for $15.99. The kit came with both a 5/16 and 3/8 nylon fuel line about 18 inches long. I needed the 5/16 line. I just cut off the old nylon line, heated the end of the new line with a hair dryer and it slipped right on the fitting. I trimmed the line at a 45 degree angle 3 inches longer than the original pickup tube. I really don't rely on my fuel gauge and try to fill around 500 miles into a tank so don't think I will have any problems as that is about 3/4 of a tank. Just tired of my generator running out of fuel on the hills at about 300 miles in to a tank.

1948boat · 03-16-2014, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

Extended my generator fuel pickup tube an extra 3 inches today. I traced the pickup line from the generator and then removed the pickup tube from the tank. I was able to purchase a nylon fuel line repair kit at Auto Zone PN 800-064 for $15.99. The kit came with both a 5/16 and 3/8 nylon fuel line about 18 inches long. I needed the 5/16 line. I just cut off the old nylon line, heated the end of the new line with a hair dryer and it slipped right on the fitting. I trimmed the line at a 45 degree angle 3 inches longer than the original pickup tube. I really don't rely on my fuel gauge and try to fill around 500 miles into a tank so don't think I will have any problems as that is about 3/4 of a tank. Just tired of my generator running out of fuel on the hills at about 300 miles in to a tank.

What do you tow, if my calculations are correct you are getting about 7mpg if your are at 3/4 empty after running 500 miles. We have a Diplomat 40DST w/400 Cummins and tow a 24ft trailer weighing 10k and the coach is at 32k and we are at 5.5-6mpg overall average on a coast to mid-west run (2,200 mi). The other part of that is we run the speed limit or a splash over 60-70 mph.

bdpreece · 03-16-2014, 12:18 PM

Your calculations are pretty close. We tow a Ford Explorer which weighs in just under 5K. The coach now has about 27K on it. I have never seen my milage under 6 and if I stay out of the mountains I will consistently get over 7. Last trip was 7.25 mpg with over half of it on highway 101 on the Oregon, Washington coast. I usually drive somewhere between 60 and 63 mph on the freeway and 50 to 55 if possible on the two lane. I suspect the flat front on the trailer plus the extra weight makes the difference in your mileage.

1948boat · 03-18-2014, 06:50 PM

Thanks all for your replies, I think I will live with it the way it is. My wife likes for us to not go too low on fuel especially if were stopping for the night, never knowing where we may find fuel available that we can maneuver our rig and trailer in and out of.