Onan Gen. deisel vs. propane

[CHILL]

Hey ya'll I'm looking for any input on making a decision on wether to go diesel vs. propane gen set. We will be using the unit dry camping riding and racing dirt bikes. What are the specs. or for fuel consumption for the two units?

I think I'm coming down with Solera fever

[ChooChooMan74]

Welcome to the forum.

Propane generators gulp propane quickly due to the low amount of energy that propane contains. But, they are a cheaper investment. Diesel generators sip diesel. You also usually have a bigger diesel supply than propane supply. If you fill up both tanks prior to camping, you will go much longer on the diesel than the propane before running out. And, usually the diesel generators taps about 1/4 way up the tank, so you will not have have to worry about running out of fuel for the prime mover.

[mshell56118]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

Welcome to the forum.

Propane generators gulp propane quickly due to the low amount of energy that propane contains. But, they are a cheaper investment. Diesel generators sip diesel. You also usually have a bigger diesel supply than propane supply. If you fill up both tanks prior to camping, you will go much longer on the diesel than the propane before running out. And, usually the diesel generators taps about 1/4 way up the tank, so you will not have have to worry about running out of fuel for the prime mover.

Spec is 1/4 tank above bottom for diesel. I rec diesel unit

[Mountainmanbob]

Originally Posted by CHILL

diesel vs. propane gen

We will be using the unit dry camping riding and racing dirt bikes.

for dry camping and a lot of possible use

diesel seems to be best

but

I don't think diesel burns as clean as propane

I hate the smell of diesel burning !!

Mountainman

[Trail blazer]

I was told by a FR rep, that with the 3.2kw diesel, you could run the AC, microwave, & probably nothing else. But the propane is a 3.6kw, and should be able to run everything. After hearing this, I went with propane.

[PopBeavers]

Originally Posted by Solera blazer

I was told by a FR rep, that with the 3.2kw diesel, you could run the AC, microwave, & probably nothing else. But the propane is a 3.6kw, and should be able to run everything. After hearing this, I went with propane.

I went with propane for the same reason. Plus my expectation that propane will have less odor.

We almost exclusively dry camp. We could never use the a/c in the TT because I only had a single Honda 2000. It will be interesting to see if we use the a/c now that we can.

[hkreck]

I went with the propane call me Mister green if you like but, it is a cleaner burning fuel. Also the Solera has one 9.8 Gallon/38lb propane tank.

[mckirby50]

I went with the propane also, basically the same reasons! Cheaper initial investment, cleaner burning ( IMO ). Also didn't give myself a choice because I bought the Solera when it hit the dealership. Didn't order the Solera from the factory.
We're able to run everything at the same time also.

[CHILL]

Think I'll go diesel, I work offshore in the oilfield.

[Sandiegodoug]

According to web diesel gen uses .4 gal per hour and propane used .7 (both full load)
Since diesel costs me 4.25 per gal and propane 2.50 they are equal cost to run and I also can't stand the smell of diesel fumes

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Sandiegodoug

According to web diesel gen uses .4 gal per hour and propane used .7 (both full load)
Since diesel costs me 4.25 per gal and propane 2.50 they are equal cost to run and I also can't stand the smell of diesel fumes

I used to own a 45' sports fish boat with twin 660 hp Cummins Diesels. When I cranked it up in the morning to go fishing I would say " I love the smell of diesel in the morning!"

Diesel gensets are very efficient on fuel usage. If you have a diesel motor home, then no brainier. If you are in a TT then you will have to haul diesel or extra propane. Diesel is not as convenient as propane and of you spill any in your tv then you will have to live with smell for some time.. Decisions, decisions....

[bclemens]

I'll make it an easy decision...Diesel gen is not available at this time. This gen was being built in overseas, for Onan, not "By Onan". They had some electronic issues and decided to change product or plant (not totally sure which). We can't even get diesel gens at this time...not sure when we will get them going forward.

[MikeA]

I have a Solera on order. I intended to order the diesel generator but was told that the diesel units are on back order till the summer. I was originally disappointed but after thinking about it, it occurred to me that if we are traveling and running the house AC at the same time it our travel range would be reduced somewhat. I would have wished for a larger fuel tank on the chassis.

Our last MH was a 2011 Georgetown and I really liked the big fuel tank because of the range it gave. I would in fact have preferred to have carried about 50 gal more than the stock 80 gal.

[DebbieMH]

Originally Posted by MikeA

I have a Solera on order. I intended to order the diesel generator but was told that the diesel units are on back order till the summer. I was originally disappointed but after thinking about it, it occurred to me that if we are traveling and running the house AC at the same time it our travel range would be reduced somewhat. I would have wished for a larger fuel tank on the chassis.

Our last MH was a 2011 Georgetown and I really liked the big fuel tank because of the range it gave. I would in fact have preferred to have carried about 50 gal more than the stock 80 gal.

Why did you downsize so much from a Georgetown to a Solera?

[MikeA]

The Georgetown had bunks and sleeping for 8, which we used often. (we put on over 15,000 miles in less than two years) We will now be traveling with just 5 or 6 people in the unit. Also, my wife never drove the Georgetown (too big) but felt quite comfortable driving a Sprinter chassis motorhome. Many of my friends thought I was doing it for the better fuel economy, but the cost of fuel is not the most expensive part of owning a motorhome.

[BigTJohn]

Propane genset will run out a 20 lb propane tank in 4 hrs. Not very good in my estimation. That is w/2 A/C units running, desert heat. Diesel has 40% more energy/gal than gas, gas is much better than propane, seems like a no brainer but everyone has their own opinions, makes the FRF a better place for info.

[bclemens]

Assuming a propane gen uses .7 gallons per hour at full load and you can fill our 12 gallon tank to 80%, then you can run that gen for 13.7 hours. (12 x 0.8 = 9.6/0.7 = 13.7).

There is only one A/C on a Solera and I doubt you would be running at full load the whole time, so 13.7 hours would be the worst case scenario.

[Mountainmanbob]

Originally Posted by bclemens

you can fill our 12 gallon tank to 80%, then you can run that gen for 13.7 hours.

13.7 hours would be the worst case scenario.

I guess it depends on where one usually camps
we do a lot of camping in the Borrego Desert
sometimes out there one will run their AC
13.7 hours in just one very hot day

out in the desert
hitting over 110 degrees on many summer days
yes
we may call this
the worst case scenario

Mountainman

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by BigTJohn

Propane genset will run out a 20 lb propane tank in 4 hrs. Not very good in my estimation. That is w/2 A/C units running, desert heat. Diesel has 40% more energy/gal than gas, gas is much better than propane, seems like a no brainer but everyone has their own opinions, makes the FRF a better place for info.

A 20 lbs tank holds 4 gallons of propane so it probably lasts about 5 hours+. LBS is not GALLONS

[PopBeavers]

I expect to almost never run the a/c from the generator. So for my application the load is pretty much limited to charging the pair of batteries.

I know that 4 days of camping, between stove, fridge and generator I used about 1/4 tank of propane, as measured by both of the on-board indicators.

If I could find solar panels that work well in the shade I would not even need the generator for battery charging.