L P generator

[robertglines1]

considering a 7.5 generac RV generator is a L.P.unit...real cheap less than 30 hrs..PO said it was to small to do his job and traded in on larger unit...1/3 original cost...good    bad ?what size tank?

[Len Silva]

Robert,

Search this and other bus boards for "Generac" or Junkerac as it is also known.  It's cheap for a reason.

[philiptompkjns]

I have a bit of experiance in a S&S with an LP gen and I think they suck.  They have nearly all the draw backs of gas with the added inconveniance of not being able to fill them up at the gas station.  I also think they are as expensive to operate.

[luvrbus]

Robert, they are not bad generators  the Generac 4000 with a belt drive gave Generac a bad name as far as the LP they will use more propane than gasoline but it is a easy conversion back to gas and you pickup more wattage just takes a carb and reset of the timing as LP runs on a retarded timing if the price is right go for it.   

good luck

[Chopper Scott]

I have a propane powered Honda EV 6010 liquid cooled and I love it. No messing with gas, winterizing and sticking floats, etc. I have an 80 gallon propane tank so getting low is not a problem. Between running the furnace for basically 6 days pretty hard and running the gen all the way home for 30 hours I only used 30 percent. I saw most campsites down south had propane refueling on the trip. I'd sure go propane before gas. Later

[TomC]

The nice thing about propane engines is that they run very clean-you don't have to worry about being gassed out and oil changes-it takes along time for the oil to get dirty.  The Generac does not have a good name.  The engine runs at around 2800rpm belt driven to a 3600rpm alternator.  If you keep on top of both alternator brush and bearing replacement, that would go along way towards keeping it running.

Personally-I would look for a good used Diesel genset.  Considering that a Diesel genset can get 20-30,000 hours before overhaul, compared to 5-10,000 hours on a gas unit (I had a 6.5 Onan Commercial Emerald air cooled on my truck that went 12,000 hours-the Onan guys thought I was lying-they had never seen one go much past 7-8000 hours).  Then you don't have to contend with a big oversized propane tank-you just tie into your main fuel tank with a separate pick up and return.  Good Luck, TomC

[robertglines1]

1500 hundred and I had the same ideal about converting back to gas..have gas powered gen set now.a little inconvenient but big $ difference in up front cost.

[luvrbus]

Robert, there are 1000's of Generac's in motor homes my son in law has one in his Alegro and loves it never had a problem with it like he did with his Onan or Powertech but who knows for sure but I do notice here the guys like to spend your money lol


good luck

[robertglines1]

I have had a 15kw onan and a 7.5 kohler and have had minor problems with each so I expect minor problems...this would be the first almost new gen set I have owned and is coming from my local trusted dealer...

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hey Bobby,

I'm a fan of diesel gens for their lower noise levels and reliabilty/longevity..

I do think that LP gen is a bit small for you. 10 to 15 kw is the normal size for our uses..

Ultimately, it's your bus, do it your way...

Nick-

[Lin]

I have a 7.5 kw Kohler gas generator and have considered changing it over to propane, since I have propane anyway and would save the space allotted to the gas tank.  If you have an all electric coach, you may need a bigger generator, but since we are not that and only need two AC's 7.5 kw has worked fine.

[luvrbus]

Lin, better check that out with a dealer I believe when you convert a 7.5 to propane it becomes a 6 or 6.5 kw. I have watched these generator guys build generators and they will use the same head for 3 or 4 different kw just a bigger hp engine I don't know for sure if that is the proper way or not but it happens


good luck

[boogiethecat]

Back to the original post:
considering a 7.5 generac RV generator is a L.P.unit...real cheap less than 30 hrs..PO said it was to small to do his job and traded in on larger unit...1/3 original cost...good    bad Huh?what size tank?

I agree with everyone, Generac is junk. But they work better than nothing!!  The belt driven ones run at 3600rpm and are clattery and hard to quiet down.  If you don't mind noise and vibration, you'll probably be ok and it's cheap so it's not a bad deal.  Running on propane means you'll NEVER have engine problems because on LP they simply don't wear. You'll be amazed when you go to change the oil 5,000 hours later and it looks just like it did when you put it in new!!  You may burn a few valves in the course of owning it, that's about the only thing that happens to LP engines...

Regarding the tank size, I have a 100 gallon propane tank, a 7.5K onan that I converted to propane (and yes it's now only good for about 6.5KW)-- I run two rooftops and running them all day the tank will carry me for about a week and a half in 110 degree days. So go figure from there....

[loosenut]

I have an LP 7.5 Kohler with an lp refrigerator and lp stove top.  I'm a light user of generator and my 50 gallon tank is overkill for the occasional camping trip and numerous days parked at the beach.  I used 17 gallons over a 5 month period of time.

I would think you could use your BBQ tank until you figure out your usage.  Then you will know what size permanent tank fits you.

Mike

[edvanland]

I have had two Onan 6.5 propane generators in my bus with a 65 gal tank. Both generators are junk, put in a diesel took out the 65 gal which freed up half of one bay and put in two 7 and half gal tanks for propane. Only way to go for me.
ED
MCI 7