mmartinfan
sun city center, florida
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Does anyone know if you can convert a gas generator in a motorhome to propane? Do you think it is cheaper to run a generator off your propane or your gas tank? Just wondering. Thanks
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lwasouth
Florida
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You will find that your generator will cost you about 50% more to run on propane.
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Electronpusher
Southern Oregon
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mmartinfan wrote:Does anyone know if you can convert a gas generator in a motorhome to propane? Yes Do you think it is cheaper to run a generator off your propane
No
or your gas tank? Just wondering. Thanks
There is less energy in a given amount of propane than gasoline--
However your generator engine will run very clean to the point that the oil probably won't even look used between change intervals--
ReM
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Gasoline has about 115,000 Btu's per gallon, so it gets poor mileage compared to diesel, at 135,000 Btu's per gallon. Propane is only 95,000 Btu's, and while it will burn a little more efficiently, you will still consume about 15% more fuel than with gasoline.
Many diesel motorhomes that have a LP generaor have a 20+ gallon tank, with some in the 50 gallon range, so that you can camp a whole week and not refill the propane tank.
Yes it is possible to convert a propane generator go gas or gas to propane. Hopefully the valves will have the required hardened seas from the factory, or you might need to rebuild the engine. It is also possible to install a 20 gallon frame mounted tank, expect the tank cost alone to be in the $650 range.
Fred.
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msmith1199
Central, CA
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I don't think I would do it just for the simple fact that it's easier to fill the gas tank than the propane tank. If you use the generator and other gas things a lot you will be having to find a place to fill the tank that much more often. I have a 30 gallon propane tank and I usually only have to fill it about once a year.
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catallison777
West Columbia, South Carolina
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msmith1199 wrote:I don't think I would do it just for the simple fact that it's easier to fill the gas tank than the propane tank. If you use the generator and other gas things a lot you will be having to find a place to fill the tank that much more often. I have a 30 gallon propane tank and I usually only have to fill it about once a year.
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bill h
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It would depend on refilling. If refilling propane is easy, go for it. If refilling gasoline, by can or whatever, is easier, that is the way to go.
Generally, gasoline is more convenient to refill, but your situation, present and future, will dictate.
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C-Leigh Racing
Nashville NC
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As noted, the LP gen oil will look clean as new, as well as the insides of the engine, because there no blow by products from LP to gunk up the inside of the engine. You pull the engine down after years of use & it will look as though its only had a short test run, so that part of an LP gen is ok.
Lord help keeping the LP tank full though. You going to boon dock for a week, better have a tanker close by to keep her full.
Neil
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workhardplayharder
Treasure Coast Florida
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Will this help.
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bluwtr49
Green Valley, AZ
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A couple of things to think about.
Many places propane is WAAAY more expensive than gas or diesel.
If you do the conversion the value of you coach may drop considerably as few buyers want a propane gen set. When we were looking, I ignored every coach with a propane gen set regardless of make or price.
Dick
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