Generator Diesel Consumption

[free2wander]

My wife and I recently began full-timing and are considering boondocking to curb some expenses. I have a 7500 KW genset that shares diesel with the cat. My question is how much consumption (in a very general sense) should I expect the generator to use. We will be running AC almost constantly because of the extreme heat wave Texas is experiencing.

Another question is what do you guys who boondock do with your blackwater? our M-H holds about 60 gallons.

[bluepill]

My 8KW Onan is rated at .13 Gal/Hr at idle, .49 at half load, .98 at full load.

If yours is an inverter design, it should be about the same. Manufacturer's web site may have the specs.

I figure about .35 usage with my 2 stage A/C cycling on and off in hot weather.

[free2wander]

(LOL) - I have to laugh when you mentioned anything but full load. Southeast Texas has been establishing new heat records on a daily basis. Both sides of our basment air have been running almost non-stop with the 100 + temps. Hopefully, when we get to our next stop, we will be able to park in the shade for a few weeks. At that kind of consumption, I guess Passport America Parks may be our best bet! Next year Colorado and the mountains for sure!

[Rjhuser]

"I have a 7500 KW genset that shares diesel with the cat."
WOW, that's a big genset - 7.5 MW!! I never had one that big, the biggest I ever had was a rented 1.5 MW, that had a 16 cylinder Cummins in it and filled a 50 foot trailer! It drank about 50 to 75 gallons of diesel an hour at 3/4 load.

(just foolin' with ya, I think you mean 7.5 KW)

[free2wander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rjhuser "I have a 7500 KW genset that shares diesel with the cat." WOW, that's a big genset - 7.5 MW!! I never had one that big, the biggest I ever had was a rented 1.5 MW, that had a 16 cylinder Cummins in it and filled a 50 foot trailer! It drank about 50 to 75 gallons of diesel an hour at 3/4 load. (just foolin' with ya, I think you mean 7.5 KW)

Sorry 'bout that! Yeh, the brain kinda got carried away with the fingers(lol)

[stuhly]

Running in the southwest I figure my 7.5 uses close to 1 gph with both roof airs running constantly.

[MaverickBBD]

In order to be on the safe side I figure 1 gal/hour but most run time comes in a little less then that for my 8 k with full load.

[Mr_D]

We have an 8.0 KW Power Tech gen. Constant 1800 rpm. I figure ½ gph average.

[TGMarrs]

How about an update? What were your actual costs to use the gen -vs- campground with electric? I want to figure out my generator use / cost so that if I have to run the A/C I can find out what parking in WalMart actually costs... Might be cheaper to plug in at a campground

[Our Time]

On a average of .5 to .75 gallons a hour, on a 12 hour useage, it would only be about $24-26 dollars per night. Hard to find a campground for that price unless you need to take on water, dump etc. (@$4.00 for diesel)

[free2wander]

This summer has proven to be much less expensive staying in the COE and national campgrounds. In Texas with the Senior pass, we can have campsites for only $10-$15/ day with full hookups. We're figuring that once we go furthur west, it will be a washout as campground cost increase greatly. From what I've heard about the area East of the Mississippi, it will be cheaper to dry camp. Time will tell.

[YC1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D We have an 8.0 KW Power Tech gen. Constant 1800 rpm. I figure ½ gph average.

Ditto on my 8 KW running full tilt on a very hot day. 105 degrees. Full sun. No shade. If you can get some shade then a tad less.

[jdo]

Anyone have any experience with the gph on a 10kw?