I'm at a loss as to why the agony about a propane generator with a diesel engine. Propane supply has never been an issue with us and it should be noted that most of the converters install 3-way fridges (propane), water heaters (propane), furnaces (propane) and stovetop (propane) in gasoline Bs. So you don't easily get away from propane. From everything I've read it seems propane generators are more maintenance free and reliable compared to gasoline. I know nothing about diesel generators but suspect they may be more problematic and more costly. For me it is not a big deal. We use our generator only as a luxury backup which is seldom. If we didn't have it I am sure we would just modify our habits just a little more carefully.
Davydd
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter B Camper Van
Visited states in an RV
TMBLSN wrote: If they put a gasser in the 3500 Sprinter, with a gas generator, it would probably jump to the top of my list.
Mmmmm..doubt that will happen. Maybe when Ford brings their Transit over, and Chrysler brings the Fiat Ducato they may plunk a gasser in there's for the USofA. MBZ may or may not follow, but I wouldn't hold my breath. The diesel was the main reason I looked at the Sprinter. Glad I bought it. I use the LP for cooking and hot water only. Never had trouble finding it in our travels.
What are you basing this on? Side-by-side comparisons? The Onan site lists both the diesel and propane at 68dB @ 10 ft.
Again, does anyone use their propane generator A LOT (say more than 4 hours / day)? What has been your experience with the hassle of refilling propane?
I've run mine for several hours at a time, more than 4, and propane use hasn't been an issue. Last May on a trip to the Outer Banks, it ran for the better part of a day and, even on a 5 day trip, I had propane to spare. While I have thought about a diesel, the cost and additional weight tell me that Roadtrek made the right decision in putting a propane unit in my RS Adventurous.
Alan
2007 Roadtrek RS Adventurous
FMCA F386555
W1ALM
TMBLSN wrote: Again, does anyone use their propane generator A LOT (say more than 4 hours / day)? What has been your experience with the hassle of refilling propane?
I've run mine for several hours at a time, more than 4, and propane use hasn't been an issue. Last May on a trip to the Outer Banks, it ran for the better part of a day and, even on a 5 day trip, I had propane to spare. While I have thought about a diesel, the cost and additional weight tell me that Roadtrek made the right decision in putting a propane unit in my RS Adventurous.
THANK YOU ALAN!!!
This is exactly the kind of real-world experience that I was looking for.
To clarify, are you saying that you ran it 4 hours/day for 5 days?
Davydd wrote: I'm at a loss as to why the agony about a propane generator with a diesel engine.
We use our generator only as a luxury backup which is seldom.
Thanks for your input, but it appears to be irrelevant. You are basically saying that you don't understand why someone would USE their generator.
The next thing your going to tell me is that I don't need a satellite dish because YOU don't watch TV.
No, I am speaking from experience in using a B and I noticed you carefully edited my original comments to slant your response. I haven't a clue why you asked your original question other than you may not understand Bs or know much about them. That's my opinion by the way from using a B for several years and knowing several B owners. I noticed from your profile you are not a B owner.
* This post was
edited 02/06/12 11:00pm by an administrator/moderator *
A dissenting opinion from a former owner of 2 B's and current owner of a B-sized C.... tho' all were gasoline. Living in the southeast and rarely staying in developed CG's, I find the Onan a near-necessity in the summer for running the A/C, a handy option for heat in the winter, and more than 'nice' for running the microwave and such. My travels would be far, far less flexible & enjoyable without.
It also came in very handy when the remnants of 2 hurricanes 'washed over' the area, and knocked out power to my stick house. I ran 2 extension cords in from the B and powered the house reefer, TV, lights, and computer for over 36 hours.
Jim, "I'd like to give you a going-away present. But first, do _your_ part."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
Jim, I am going to run my generator to recharge my batteries when necessary or maybe use my coffee pot in the morning or my microwave other times for a few minutes. Generally campgrounds have strict hours you can run a generator which means you are not going to run at night and I doubt many could sleep anyway with a generator running right underneath them in a B. My experience and observations of the many other B owners are few stay inside their Bs closed up and run their generators. Most will live outside every chance they can unless they have an electric hookup. If the heat is overwhelming we simply will avoid such situations, stay outside or seek a campground with electrical connections.
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