Generator LP Use

[BradW]

I think the generator which will come with our Lance is this:

Onan 2500

Just wonder how often I will be refilling the lp tanks.

[Kayteg1]

I wonder how much they improve the cylinders storage on new Lance?
My 2002 model has double 7.5 gal cylinders, but they have no gauges on them and the slide-tray is poorly mounted, so with short hose it is quite a challenge to pull inner cylinder and you have to disconnect the hose.
My 2002 Fleetwood has double horizontal cylinders with gauges and mounted side-by side, so pulling them is way easier.

[sleepy]

I’m looking forward to seeing your new camper...

I’d buy a new Lance if they made one with the exact same floor plan as the one we have

Chet

[BradW]

I was just wondering how often I was going to have to refill the tanks. They are difficult to change out in our old Lance, should be easier in the new one.

Yep, still jeepin and still campin.

[sleepy]

Yes I also have solar panels

I do not run the AC with solar
I do not run the generator with solar
And I do not heat water with solar

I do run lights, tv, stereo, computers,, 110 outlets and charge 12 VDC batteries with solar when possible

Propane is a very clean fuel for RV’s and easy to store... I don’t find It’s price fluctuations are near as bad as diesel or gasoline. When you travel for months at a time you will notice the difference.

Brad... I think that you will find that you won’t worry about the amount of propane that you will use... it’s benifit far outweighs its cost and it’s ease of use.

Good to see that you are still camping.

Chet

[BradW]

Yep, two five gallon l.p. tanks. The generator will definitely be for occasional use only.

[pianotuna]

Sleepy nice to see you! I think you have some solar if I remember correctly!

[sleepy]

I have had a Generac 36LP since 2003... and have used it an the camper for 1318 nights. Never stayed in campgrounds.

My camper uses LP gas for the 6 cuft refrigerator, for hot water, and the generator. In hot weather we run the generator 24/7 when necessary.

I have two 30lb propane bottles. We have never had to fill them more often than every three weeks.

This information is accurate... no guessing or speculating.

Note: i would never use gasoline in a built in generator

Of course I’d never use gasoline in my truck.... I have a diesel truck.

I have no need to haul and store gasoline.

Sleepy

[Rocknita]

If he’s getting a late model Lance then it’s the 5 gal 20lb removable tanks. The smaller models get one tank and the larger floor plans get two. You can swap them out at a lot of places but they don’t seem to fill them up to there rated capacity. Also I would rather keep my tanks as a lot of the tanks you get are older.

[wanderingbob]

Propane is fine for occasional use . I am curious , fixed tank or portable !

[pianotuna]

I sure would not want an LP generator--hard to find a place sometimes to get a fixed tank refilled.

[BradW]

Thanks for the reply.

I also found this (see page 23). About .4 gal/hr under 50% load.

Onan Info


Fuel Consumption
LP, Gal/hr
2.5 kW/60Hz
No load 0.3
1/2 load 0.4
Full load 0.6

I think our EU2000i uses about .3 gal/hr at full load. That matches up to what you posted, LP use rate is about 2 times gas use rate.

The new generator won't see much all-day use. I'm think it will mainly get used for keeping the dog cool while we are in a restaurant or walmart. It will also get used when we pull over to sleep a few hours while travelling.

Thanks,
Brad

[Kayteg1]

Propane not only has less energy than gasoline, but also propane carburetors are less advanced than those running with gasoline.
Meaning usual records are about twice the use of propane comparing to gasoline.
Or about one 7.5 gallons cylinder per day of AC use.
Maybe Onan improved the design in new generators, so post your experience once you get it?