We had one DSDP with a propane genset, NEVER again. It would be a deal breaker for us. At one FMCA rally we went through two 10 gallon aux tanks and most of our onboard 40 gallon (32 usable) in 5 days in 95° weather. Plus it overheated and shut down several times. They are air cooled, the diesel sets are liquid cooled. Propane units are usually much noisier than the diesel gen.
Deen - Vancouver, WA
'02 Dutch Star 4090 (41+', triple slide)
435/1200 ISC Cummins/Banks PowerPak
'08 Honda Civic/dolly
'05 Honda Odyssey/dolly
NRA Benefactor Life Member
FMCA f47302s, Life Member: Good Sam, Newmar DP Owners Group
51st yr of RV'ing
I think it is evident that the answer depends on both tank size and even more critically, on how YOU use a generator.
Indeed, if you need to run it for days at a time, an LP generator is not for you.
If, instead, it is an occasional use item (though capable of running for long periods of time) an LP generator may be just your ticket.
An LP generator is hundreds of pounds lighter than the diesel generators. They are longer-lived and with fewer problems than the gasoline generators they are based on, and most can be replaced complete for less than any major work on a diesel generator.
No right/wrong answers here, it depends on what YOU want.
I'll take gasoline or diesel, but no propane. I've had propane gensets, never again for me too. Fuel consumption too high and it can be a real PITA to fill in some areas. Sure can't just go get a can full and pour more in.
I have had both. We dry camped in the desert with our propane generator and ran both A/C's for 8 hours a day for 6 days, never had any problems. We had a 50 gal tank. On day 7 we were getting low but still not empty. Never had any problems in finding propane either, but that depends on where you are. We now have a diesel, it is less noise, but sure can smell it. It also has the large fuel tank to draw from, so it could potentially run much longer.
Another nod with wolfe10's response, it truly depends on your application. If you use it often, the diesel is worth the cost, but if not save the weight and expense. I think I have totaled about 6 hours of run time in three years with mine.
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