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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Generators; LP vs. diesel?

Micki User ID: 1028194	Dec 29th 4:47 PM Does anyone have any opinion on LP generator vs diesel generator?
Pete User ID: 9642053	Dec 29th 10:19 PM A diesel cost a lot more money. You would have to be using it a lot before it paid to have it. How often are you going to be using a generator? I travel 6 months in the summer and only put about 40 total hours on my LP one. Only use it when it gets above 88 in the RV and the dash air can't keep up.
Barthbill User ID: 0067194	Dec 30th 12:38 PM How about a gasoline generator? They have more power per dollar than the equivalent propane generator. When you consider the money saved by not buying a diesel generator, addiing a gasoline tank is not a big deal.
Mickey User ID: 3786404	Dec 30th 5:34 PM The LP genset is going to use about a gal/hr. Is this going to be a problem for you? How much LP do you carry and how much will you use the genset. Where you typ use the RV, is LP easily available and the time of your choosing?
Anette User ID: 2414344	Dec 30th 6:50 PM I am not sure why you are asking the question..Is it because you are shopping for a diesel motorhome and come to find out that a lot of them have the LP propane generator. As we and my folks have found out. It seems like many of the rv's in the price range we are looking at (Diesel motorhomes) have a propane generator. We would have preferred a diesel generator also....But like my folk, found the perfect motorhome, perfect price, but lp generator. They went ahead and bought it. It is not for full-timing, just ocassional trips and they are only semi-retired. They were told that most people don't want to pay the higher price for the diesel generator.... But, if I were replacing my unit totally, then that would be a differnt scenerio. Again, performance, money are the issues, lot of nice portable gas, but if I could afford it, I'd go with diesel to have 1 fuel source if my coach was diesel... Anette in Kansas
Don User ID: 8241803	Mar 9th 4:52 AM My brother-in-law has a propane gen set. He said it's a real problem finding a MH accessible propane source. My coach has a diesel gen set - fuels from the main tank. I never have to give it a thought. I think diesel in a diesel MH and gasoline in a gas rig is the way to go. One fuel stop takes care of it all. Don
jd User ID: 2992754	Mar 9th 8:09 AM Another possible dimension to this - From what I read, there's a contingent of us that considers LP to be a troublefree fuel source for sticking, gumming, bacteria and on and on. I've also read that LP gensets are subject to getting gummed up as well as the gasoline ones. The cost issue separating LP from diesel is relevant, and to me, so is having a third fuel tank on a DP. Just wanted to add that an LP genset shouldn't get a check in the Plus Column for maintenance. No matter which kind we choose in a new coach or inherit in a used one, still requires maintenance and exercise. It'd be nice if the LP units could just be ignored till that once a year time we actually need it, but seems it just ain't so. As preoccupied as I am with the quest for low maintenance, why would I have an RV...? Seems like some kind of emotional defect... God Bless, jd
Ed User ID: 9683713	Mar 11th 9:49 PM I know this is late but for other readers to this post. :) The advantages to a propane powered genset are extended oil change intervals, no carbon buildup in the combustion chambers, no fuel additives needed to keep the fuel from getting "rotten", no gumming of the carburetor, LONGER engine life, cleaner exhaust, and, in trailers, no fuel tank to mount. I live in rural mountains of colorado and have converted alot of gas generators to propane for use in cabins off the grid.they are great for remote starts since you dont have to choke them. and maintenance compared to gas or diesel is a big plus. But for Motorhomes,probably a good idea to stick with whatever fuel runs MH.
Henry User ID: 0324974	Jul 19th 10:34 AM Rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd add to this one just to pass on some potentially helpful info to those of you who use a pickup to tow with and are in the market for a generator. FWIW, my wife and I are impressed with our Yamaha-approved, propriatary tri-fuel conversion of our EF3000iSEB generator. It runs on LP, natural gas, or gasoline and is a "2-person-luggable" (at about 150 pounds dry) unit as opposed to a permanent mount generator. There is virtually no smell, even less than a burning gas grill, so my wife does not get her smell-induced migraines when near it (and CO is around half a percent). Currently, I do not plan on putting any gasoline in the factory empty gasoline tank. It runs my TT at full load with no problem ... even the microwave runs fine once the A/C is started and the 3500 watt boost/starting battery on the generator recovers ... and uses just a bit more gallon-per-gallon of LP than gasoline (10% or thereabouts). The people who do the conversion (uscarb.com) add a regulator and electric primer to the back side of the housing (where you can easily tweak the regulator for perfect performance at virtually any altitude or condition) but this widens the generator about 3" so it does not fit through my 20" wide door if I want to carry it in the trailer. Nonetheless, the tri-fuel capability makes it well worth it. I know many suggest paralleling two Honda EU2000is generators, and this may be best if lifting weight is a consideration (two small 50 pound handfuls as opposed to one 150 pound unit). But the multi-fuel ability is a big plus in our eyes. Hope this info helps someone.