Community Forums

bb32 · 11-04-2021, 10:21 PM

Hi All,

I will be camping out on land off-grid that I own while I build a house. I currently have a Wen 4750 dual fuel generator. Considering that fuel prices are going up, I am considering buying a second generator primarily just to run my well pump (600 watts), charge the batteries in the winter, and also as an additional heater (1500 watt electric). I'm not sure how much it would be used, but it could potentially get hundreds of hours in a short period of time.

I am thinking about a 2000 watt generator, probably a Wen also. I'm curious if anyone has done any real-life fuel tests on these to see how much they are worth the extra cost. Also, how many hours can they run before they fall apart?

The Wen 4750 generator uses a 224cc engine and apparently uses 0.36 gallons per hour at half-load.

The 2000 watt generator uses about 0.17 gallons per hour at half-load. But, I wonder what that will mean if I am using 1500 watts which is just under the 1700 or 1800 watts. I wonder if I am at almost a full load how much I would be really saving in fuel?

I appreciate any comments.

bb32

153stars · 11-05-2021, 03:29 AM

For heat check out Chinese diesel heaters Webasco clone . Genny to 1500 watt heater is only 5200 BTUs very inefficient.

Sweetbriar · 11-05-2021, 04:55 AM

I think your fuel savings might be a wash or close enough that your cost savings might take a very long time for you to recoup the cost of the new smaller generator and actually see a savings related to fuel usage.

But considering your scenario having a second generator as a back up might be a bigger factor over a potential fuel cost savings incase the primary fails (which is going to happen on the record coldest three day holiday weekend after a Canadian Clipper comes thru and dumps 3 foot of snow on top of a half inch of ice closing down everything) you'll have a fall back that will keep your life support systems operating.