Is Propane a better fuel than gas for a generator?

[Kanikamom]

I would love to find out from those of you who have used generators in a small A122 trailer Whether installing a propane conversion kit on a 1000-watt or 2000-watt generator is a safer, better fuel choice than gasoline. We can haul a maximum 2700 pounds in our Subaru Outback, so the generator will likely be transported inside the trunk.

If you use gasoline, do you experience gas fumes in your tow vehicle or is the generator sealed well enough that there are no fumes?

How long does gas generally last in your 1000 or 2000 (more than 3.8 hours?)

What other considerations would you have for us regarding propane vs. gas in a small generator?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

[bob caldwell]

Originally Posted by Kanikamom

I would love to find out from those of you who have used generators in a small A122 trailer Whether installing a propane conversion kit on a 1000-watt or 2000-watt generator is a safer, better fuel choice than gasoline.

If you use gasoline, do you experience gas fumes in your tow vehicle (e.g.,) or is the generator sealed well enough that there are no fumes? Also, on the fume thing..the Honda gas caps have a vent made into cap that you open to run, close to travel.

How long does gas generally last in your 1000 or 2000 (more than 3.8 hours?)

What other considerations would you have for us regarding propane vs. gas in a small generator?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

Gas...it's easier to find. No fumes if you carry in bed of pu....my Honda 2000 will run about 4 hrs., but depends on whats being powered up. If I need the ac, I hook up my other 2000 and have made my own extended stay fuel tank....this set-up will go more than 3 days, all day. Wife doesn't need to mess with 'em when I'm not there to re-fuel.

[bikendan]

Hondas have a vent cap that prevents fumes from escaping.

[Pooneil]

I've seen where people have adapted or modded plastic totes to carry Honda generators to help reduce fumes within an SUV that come from the occasional spills. The totes also make storage easier because other items can be easily stacked on top. Also consider that if you try using the generator on gas and don't like the smell in you SUV, then you can add the propane conversion later.

[Kanikamom]

Thx Pooneil, I like your thought of trying it with gas and seeing if smell is a problem before buying the conversion kit. We could do that test before our camping trip.

[Kanikamom]

Is it easier to find gasoline on the road than propane, to refill a genny? I don't know how easy it is to get propane at/near the various types of camping facilities.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Kanikamom

Is it easier to find gasoline on the road than propane, to refill a genny? I don't know how easy it is to get propane at/near the various types of camping facilities.

No comparison.
Gas is way easier to find.

I don't know of any West Coast state parks that have propane for sale.
Some private RV parks have it available.

[Kanikamom]

Thx. That was my suspicion (easier to get gasoline), but I was not sure.

[mzbrandi]

Originally Posted by Kanikamom

I would love to find out from those of you who have used generators in a small A122 trailer Whether installing a propane conversion kit on a 1000-watt or 2000-watt generator is a safer, better fuel choice than gasoline. We can haul a maximum 2700 pounds in our Subaru Outback, so the generator will likely be transported inside the trunk.

If you use gasoline, do you experience gas fumes in your tow vehicle or is the generator sealed well enough that there are no fumes?

How long does gas generally last in your 1000 or 2000 (more than 3.8 hours?)

What other considerations would you have for us regarding propane vs. gas in a small generator?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

I haul 2 Hondas in the back of my Jeep 4 door with no smell of gas. You can turn the vents closed on the gas caps. As you can guess, you need to open the vents before using the gennerators. Don't ask me why this was important? :-)))

Brandi


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[bob caldwell]

Was it because they needed the air to run longer than a minute or two?

[mzbrandi]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Was it because they needed the air to run longer than a minute or two?

Ha ha, I guess you mean did the gas tanks need to allow air in to let gas out.....ummmm yes it did.

I felt so dumb.

Brandi


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[TGR]

Propane burns cleaner so it's better on plugs and oil than gas but it has less energy than gas. Generators lose power the higher in altitude you go. A propane-powered generator will bog down before a gas-powered generator. Also, you will empty your 20 lb. LP tank mush faster than a 5 gal. gas can. The difficulty in keeping LP available for the LP-powered generator far exceeds that of a gas-powered one.


I haul 2 Yamaha 2000 generators in my 5th wheel's basement without ever smelling gas fumes in the trailer or its basement but my gas can is in the back of my truck. Of course, I run the generators outside and sometimes in the back of my truck without any problems.

[johnruff]

My vote is for Propane. It is easier to find than non-ethanol gas. Burns Cleaner and your generator will have much less problems. Ethanol will screw up your generator, lawn mower, chain saw, weed eater, etc. I have had to replace hoses and rebuild carburetors on everything I own.

[hbillsmith]

Roughly, a 20# pound tank is full at 4.5gals and burns with an energy efficient to 80% of gasoline. Easy swap a 20# tank at Lowes for $17 or use about 4 gallons of regular gas for $7 (plus a couple tablespoons of Stabil to neutralize the ethanol). Gas wins.

[B and B]

I just bought a Powerhouse 4 kw fuel injected generator. I run stabil and premium. We need that for cold weather operation. The manufacturer suggests this as well. The same generator is marketed at Lifan as well, they have 3100 not sure if they have the 4 kw fuel injected version.

[wana65stang]

Just a note to people who don't know it, Premium fuel doesn't have Ethanol in it.That's why manufacturers of small engines are now recommending to use it.

[JoeNanMinn]

I guess we are lucky then in Minnesota. Seems like you can find LP just about around every corner. I can't say that I have ever had trouble finding LP around here.
I have a dual fuel generator. Have never used gasoline in it yet.

[HONDAMAN174]

Here is a better question: would your local repair shop work on a propane genny or would you have to send it somewhere if something went wrong?

[JoeNanMinn]

I don't know why a local repair shop wouldn't be able to work on propane one verses one that runs on gas. Other than fuel delivery system they would be the same. Every shop that I have been too around here works on them. Dual fuel, diesel, Tri fuel units.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

Just a note to people who don't know it, Premium fuel doesn't have Ethanol in it.That's why manufacturers of small engines are now recommending to use it.

I'd certainly like to see something in writing on that from a gasoline refiner, because ethanol while content varies from state to state, it is practically mandated. What else do they use to raise the octane?