hooking gen to main fuel tank

dougyes · October 16, 2011, 03:47:12 AM

What method would you all recommend for hooking a diesel generator to the main bus fuel tank?

prevosman · October 16, 2011, 03:58:16 AM

I don't know the specifics, but one thing is critical. Make sure the pickup is higher than that of the bus engine. That way the bus will always start even if you run the generator out of fuel.

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · October 16, 2011, 04:51:03 AM

Hi Doug,

Here is a pic of my generator pick up. I machined it out of aluminum.

I used 3/8" copper and brass fittings. Also 4" above engine pick up.

Nick-

morefire · October 16, 2011, 09:03:21 AM

Here is how I did mine in my 09 Bluebird.
I had to drill a hole in the floor, and drop the pick up into the tank from above, then I glued the circle back in place.
The lines then ran from the back, to the front where I have a Fuel filter, then the output splits and feeds my AquaHot and Onan Quiet Diesel Gen. The return lines are also fed back to the fitting.

Boomer · October 16, 2011, 09:40:17 AM

Don't use rubber hose, use Aeroquip lines.

edvanland · October 16, 2011, 11:24:54 AM

I have a MCI 7 and drilled a hole in the round plate which was already on top of the tank. I then put the pick up where is about 10 inches from the botton of the tank. I wondered how much fuel I would have when the gen ran out of fuel, well it happened and it took a 100 gal to fill the tank so when the gen runs out of fuel I wtill have about 35 usable gal left to run the engine.
Just my way
ED

belfert · October 16, 2011, 11:43:29 AM

My bus originally had a Webasto heater as part of the as new config, but it was gone when I got the bus. I used the fuel pickup for the Webasto for my generator. I know from experience that the Webasto pickup is the same level or lower than the main engine pickup. I don't worry about running out of fuel for the engine as I always fill up before boondocking with the generator. I could run the generator at least a week straight before I have to worry about fuel.

For my Proheat there is a plate on the tank where a fuel sender could be placed. I will remove that plate and drill a hole in it for the fuel pickup. I bought the fuel pickup from Sure Marine.

HB of CJ · October 16, 2011, 01:13:02 PM

Would a dedicated gen set fuel tank be a better idea? I'm not sure of the notion of running your main tank nearly dry just running gen set. What would happen if you had to get out of Dodge right now...but had little fuel? HB of CJ (old coot)

morefire · October 16, 2011, 02:33:56 PM

I have my fuel pick up cut at 3/4 tank, and it's a 200 gallon tank, so I can't run dry.
But in any case, I always keep my fuel tank topped up right to the neck. When I use the bus, and I am done, I top it up again.
My last outing, I dry docked for 5 days and ran my onan 7500 all day, every day for 5 days, and I dont think the fuel guage even moved.
(I filled up the fuel just before pulling into my camp site/race track).

Mike in GA · October 16, 2011, 02:56:41 PM

Fred Hobe, a well respected converter here in the southeast, has an excellent website with many, many illustrated tips for those starting this wonderful hobby. Browse his entire site for excellent advice, but for your specific query, scroll down a bit on this page:

http://users.cwnet.com/~thall/fredhobe3.htm

I did mine Fred's way and have had no problems these past 10 years.
Good luck!
Mike in GA

belfert · October 16, 2011, 04:02:33 PM

Quote from: HB of CJ on October 16, 2011, 01:13:02 PM
Would a dedicated gen set fuel tank be a better idea? I'm not sure of the notion of running your main tank nearly dry just running gen set. What would happen if you had to get out of Dodge right now...but had little fuel? HB of CJ (old coot)

It seems like a good idea if you have the space and run your generator a lot. Space for the tank and cost for a tank can be an issue. You can run off road diesel for the generator which cuts costs.

I always fill my tank when I get home so I can generally run at least 900 miles before needing fuel. I didn't add a generator tank due to space and expense. I figure in five years I would have saved about $125.

Bill B /bus · October 16, 2011, 04:28:05 PM

I opted for a second tank for genny and Webasto. About 50 gals of of road diesel when available. At $.50/gal that's $25 dollars on a fill. Go through at least three tanks per year. Will it pay for the tank in tax savings? Maybe. Do I have piece of mind about the main tank level? Absolutely. First bus, tapped off the main tank about 6" higher than tank bottom. Coming off an exit generator cut out, no fuel, and only took on 110 gals in a 165 gal tank. Promised myself that if (I wouldn't be that dumb

) I ever did another bus the genny would have its own tank.

Bill

dougyes · October 16, 2011, 06:01:55 PM

Thank you all. I learned a lot.

bobofthenorth · October 16, 2011, 06:14:52 PM

Here's a poor man's solution. My genset is tee'd into the main fuel pickup. There's a check valve on the gennie side of the tee and another on the engine side so neither engine can suck the other one dry. But if I run the gennie long enough to drain the main tank then I won't be going anywhere. I don't think its all that big a deal. If I run the main tank that low I deserve to be stranded anyway. The returns are tied together as well.

Ace · October 16, 2011, 06:47:42 PM

Ok here's my take on the idea. We got home from Daytona and biketoberfest and in the way home a friend and his MH had trouble running out of fuel. The MH cut off and after inspecting the filters, one was clogged with rubber obviously meaning a house was coming apart. With no other filters, w cleaned the clogged one and refilled it to only go about 4 miles before shutting off again. My idea was to fill a five gallon can from MY dedicated generator tank and drop his fuel line into it and go as far as he could. With the return going into his own tank, meant w could only go about eight miles before it would run out if fuel so we did this for Times making it the rest of the way home. He was never so glad to have me along in this trip with a give gallon can, a siphon hose and a flashlight.
Moral of story I guess is if you have a dedicated tank for your genset, its east to get fuel to fill new filters, or do as we did to make it home! It took longer but we made it!
Also the siphon hose was a3 buck hose with a ball check in one end that was perfused at harbor freight. It made the job fast, easy, and spill Free and it saved a towing bill.