Generator gas vs propane

[dutch99]

Generator gas vs propane
Did you guys already talked about this? is Propane better than gas in every way, how many hours of operation do you get out of 20 gallon tank of propane?,
I don't want to store gasoline.

Dual Fuel Hybrid, Gasoline/Propane Portable Generator ?

[chunker]

Propane fueled generators are "gas hogs" and will exhaust a normal supply quickly. The most efficient is a diesel but that's not practical unless you have a diesel motorhome. Most trailers will have a propane generator because that's the fuel available not because it a better fuel. Most toy hauler will have gasoline generators because they normally have a fuel station for the "toys" and can tap off that for the generator. My TH has 2 30 gallon tanks, one for the toys and one for the generator. I can transfer the toy one to the generator one at the fuel station. Tanks are side by side. Sometimes manufacturers will increase the propane tank size to 40 gallons from a 20 or 30 to compensate for the fuel usage.

To answer the question how long could you run a generator on 20 gallons propane would depend on what load you are applying but a simple answer, not long. I don't have a propane generator so others with them can be more specific.

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by chunker

Propane fueled generators are "gas hogs" and will exhaust a normal supply quickly. The most efficient is a diesel but that's not practical unless you have a diesel motorhome. Most trailers will have a propane generator because that's the fuel available not because it a better fuel. Most toy hauler will have gasoline generators because they normally have a fuel station for the "toys" and can tap off that for the generator. My TH has 2 30 gallon tanks, one for the toys and one for the generator. I can transfer the toy one to the generator one at the fuel station. Tanks are side by side. Sometimes manufacturers will increase the propane tank size to 40 gallons from a 20 or 30 to compensate for the fuel usage.

To answer the question how long could you run a generator on 20 gallons propane would depend on what load you are applying but a simple answer, not long. I don't have a propane generator so others with them can be more specific.

I have had both and have to say that while Propane is great for long term storage and not gumming up a carb....that's about where the benefits end. Gasoline is more efficient and creates more BTUs (Power) per unit and will therefore last longer at a campsite. Gasoline is typically more plentiful and easier to transport when you need to refill on the road.......there are always gas stations but a much smaller number of places to refill your propane.

Pretty sure Chunker was referring to 20 and 30 lb tanks as a 30GA propane tank would be about about 135lbs

Some people like the dual fuel external generators (Champion for instance) but in the end gas will make more power and be more plentiful while traveling.

Diesel as stated previously is typically most fuel efficient and also quieter as a rule because they run at about 1/2 the RPMs of a gas/propane units!

Cheers!

PS....we have onboard diesel but we're in a dry campground and the 2 guys behind us both were running Predator 3500 Inverter units and they truly were VERY quiet even in a paved lot

[TXiceman]

Also check that the rating on the generator is for propane. If it is a dual fuel (Gas/propane), it will only provide about 80% of the capacity on propane as on gasoline.

Ken

[bigchick]

everything above is pertinent.

i'd like to add just a bit. we have a 5th wheel with a built in lp generator. it is important to state that we do not do extended dry camping. our use of the generator is for backup in case shore power fails (it has), an overnight stop, or to provide 120 vac power in our storage space in order to run things like vacuum cleaner, rug shampooer, air compressor, etc. we also travel with a pet and when we are on the road and stop for lunch or something we will put the pet in the trailer and run the generator in order to get a/c for the pet.

for our uses the propane generator is more than sufficient.

i have read so many posts about people with gas generators having problems with fuel pumps, fuel lines, gummed carburetors, etc. these problems are non existent on a lp generator.

so look at how you are going to use the generator and factor it into you decision criteria.

[dutch99]

how many hours of operation do you get out of 20 gallon tank of propane?

[chunker]

Originally Posted by dutch99

how many hours of operation do you get out of 20 gallon tank of propane?

As paul65k pointed out that is POUNDS of propane not gallons. At 4.2 pounds per gallon that would be an 80 pound+ tank. Not something found in a trailer but maybe in a fixed tank in a motorhome. In which case it's very unlikely to be the fuel for the generator.

[dutch99]

OK how long would a 20 lbs tank last for a LP gen ?

[dutch99]

I found

A 20 lb propane tank holds 4.5 gallons of propane, and when full it weighs 36 pounds. A 20 lb tank will fuel my 7500W generator for 10-11 hours straight.

[twinboat]

If your generator is burning 1/2 a gallon per hour of gasoline, it will burn a bit more then 1/2 a gallon per hour if propane gas. Less energy in propane compared to gas.

A 20 lb BBQ tank had 4-1/4 of a gallon of propane.
That means the generator will run about 8 hours.

[dutch99]

Its about $20 to exchange the 20 lbs tank

[dutch99]

more

Using gasoline, the 224cc Champion engine produces 4000 starting watts and 3500 running watts, and will run for 9 hours at 50% load when the 3.4-gallon fuel tank is full. It produces 3600 starting watts and 3150 running watts, and will run for 10.5 hours at 50% load when using a 20-pound propane tank.

[rarebear.nm]

Like many things RV, it depends.

Many good points above. I have a Champion 3500watt gas only generator for our 5th with a remote start. It works great, first time every time. No carb problems. I do exercise it every month and store it with Stabill in the gas. When I shut it down for any length of storage I let it run dry.

In the MH we have an Onan 4K gas generator. It feeds off the main fuel tank. Thus it becomes expensive to add enough Stabill for a 55 a gallon tank. I exercise it every two weeks. It's carb can be a PIA.

Depending where and how you camp propane may not be easy to find. Gas is always easy. In the west some place that sell propane may have only person certified and if they are not around- LOL, perhaps come back tomorrow. If you boondock propane is going to be a problem unless you can carry lots of cylinders. If you mostly stay at full hookups sites and only an occasional dry camp, then propane may not be a problem.

Keep in mind if you are going to travel in the west at higher elevations, you loose about 3% of rated output per 1,000 ft elevation. This added to the 20% loss for propane vs gas, at say 7,000 feet you have 20% + (3 x 7) 21% =41% efficiency loss of rated output. So for a 3200 watt run time full load load you are left with about 1,800 watts. At half load you have about 944 watts of power.

If you have a major aversion to carrying spare gas and can accept the limits of propane then that may be best for you.

We spend almost five months in Alaska in our 5th with a solar system and only used the generator a total of 24 hours. I returned home with some of the 5 gallons of spare fuel I started with.

Again IMO the answer is that depends.... I'll never have a propane only generator for RVing.

[jcussen]

Had a 6500 watt propane gen in a bus conversion. Running two roof airs. would run less than 8 hours on a 20 lb tank, would look for a gas or diesel genset.