Diesel...Propane..Gasoline... small quiet generator

Darkspeed · August 14, 2015, 07:21:47 AM

Ok here is my dilemma.. I need a small ( 3kw or less ) generator that is quiet and I need to fuel it. I would like it to have a number of days of standby fuel for emergencies.

My first thought is Diesel because I have Diesel on board already and I despise carrying gasoline and propane.

Cummings makes a 3kw Diesel but I know they have had problems and it is not that quiet.. But it is Diesel! > http://power.cummins.com/content/rv-qd-3200

Honda 3000 would be my first choice because they are super quiet but they are gasoline or propane > http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu3000is

There are 2kw and 3kw Diesel military generators out there with low hours but I would have to build a custom enclosure.

The Honda would require carrying gallons of gasoline or propane. I know gasoline has more btu than propane for the same volume.

Anyone have a permanent gasoline tank on their bus for their generator?

I guess the other option is a lot more batteries and run the bus engine to recharge.

The generator would recharge a battery bank and my high efficiency AC will run off the inverter.
My heat / hot water is from a diesel proheat and everything thing else is going to be solar / electric.

Any thoughts..

Iceni John · August 14, 2015, 08:03:52 AM

Quote from: Darkspeed on August 14, 2015, 07:21:47 AM
The generator would recharge a battery bank and my high efficiency AC will run off the inverter.
My heat / hot water is from a diesel proheat and everything thing else is going to be solar / electric.

Any thoughts..

How much solar power will you have, and where will you be located? Will you be full-timing? Will you be off-grid / boondocking? In other words, how much will you need your generator - will it be only for occasional emergency backups, or for more than that? All those circumstances dictate what type and size of generator you'll need.

"High-efficiency" A/Cs, by which I assume you mean mini-splits, can run off a solar system, but only if A) there are enough panels, and B) enough batteries to support a significant load like this for a useful amount of time. That essentially means carpeting the entire roof with panels and having half a ton of batteries! I am close to that, but even a mini-split A/C will not run for more than a few hours off batteries alone.

FYI, I converted my little Champion generator to propane - it now runs quieter and cleaner than on gasoline, starts as well, and seems to have as much power as before. I have propane on board anyway, so it made sense to convert it because it will only be used very occasionally for emergencies only, no more than a very few times a year at most, and I didn't want to risk gasoline getting stale and gumming up the carb.

John

Lee Bradley · August 14, 2015, 08:06:07 AM

How about a fuel cell?

http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/about-fuel-cells

chessie4905 · August 14, 2015, 09:35:40 AM

I have one of the Hondas and it is a super quiet generator. Plus it can run sensitive electronics and has a built in battery charger. Get a propane conversion kit and just use propane grille bottles. Make sure it gets enough cooling air.

Lin · August 14, 2015, 10:00:22 AM

We have an ancient 6.5kw Kohler with its own 35 gallon gas tank. Since it powers one or two AC's while traveling, the size works well. However, since it seemed like serious overkill to charge the batteries with it for more then the bulk charge, we also have a 1000 watt Honda which is more fuel efficient and quieter. We only take it on trips when we know we will be dry camping. To overcome the small capacity tank it has and the use of gerry cans, it has been adapted to connect to an outboard motor gas tank and can just keep going. Hooking it up to our existing propane system with a quick disconnect would be an interesting option.

Darkspeed · August 14, 2015, 10:06:36 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on August 14, 2015, 09:35:40 AM
I have one of the Hondas and it is a super quiet generator. Plus it can run sensitive electronics and has a built in battery charger. Get a propane conversion kit and just use propane grille bottles. Make sure it gets enough cooling air.

I would need about six 5 gal propane bottles for standby power. Is it safe to carry the 5 gal bottles in a vented bay?

How much safer is it to just get a 30 gallon DOT frame mounted tank?

chessie4905 · August 14, 2015, 01:20:31 PM

If you plan on running it that much, then you can get a frame tank of whatever capacity you need, or install a gas tank for it. Remember that filling the large propane tank can be a pita at times depending on where you are. Unless you are going to use propane for cooking or heating also, I wouldn't think it would be worth the added expense of a generator conversion kit plus the cost of a tank.
Diesel would be the other choice if you can deal with the additional cost and noise.

As far as dealing with a gas tank, the 4104 had a gas tank installed behind the front axle, tucked under the body. It used that dead space with a filler neck that had it's own fuel door on same side of coach as main tank. Held about 28 gallons. Ours started leaking after 40 years of age and we had a metal fabrication shop make a new one, They eliminated the recess on sides, (about 1 inch) creating 31 gals instead, approx.

Darkspeed · August 14, 2015, 03:01:50 PM

Anyone thought of using one of these on their generator as to not gas everyone out at the campsite? > http://www.foleyengines.com/products/exhaust-products/gasoline-lp-ng-scrubbers

wg4t50 · August 14, 2015, 03:02:28 PM

Not pushing any brand genset, but keep in mind a few facts,
Diesel will consume the least amount of fuel per kW,
Gasoline is twice as much as diesel
LPGas is three times diesel.
I have played all three fuels and kept records, so from my usage, these are facts, not opinion.
Been in the emergency generator business over 40 years.
Good luck.

Darkspeed · August 14, 2015, 03:07:13 PM

Quote from: wg4t50 on August 14, 2015, 03:02:28 PM
Not pushing any brand genset, but keep in mind a few facts,
Diesel will consume the least amount of fuel per kW,
Gasoline is twice as much as diesel
LPGas is three times diesel.
I have played all three fuels and kept records, so from my usage, these are facts, not opinion.
Been in the emergency generator business over 40 years.
Good luck.

Thank you, Diesel is my preference ... What are your thoughts on the Cummings RV QD 3200? Is there another comparable im not aware of in that size?

Darkspeed · August 14, 2015, 03:24:33 PM

Cummings RV QD 3200

No load Quarter load Half load Full load
0.2 Gal/h (0.7 L/h) ? ? ? 0.3 Gal/h (1.0 L/h) 0.4 Gal/h (1.4 L/h)

Honda 3000
No load Quarter Load Half load Full Load
? ? ? 0.17 Gal/h ? ? ? 0.48 Gal/h

Cummings RV QD 3200 Noise Level : 68 dB(A) (readings at 10 ft (3 m) half load) Half load = 68db

Honda Noise Level : 58 dB(A) @ rated load, 49 dB(A) @ 1/4 load Half load = 51db

Lee Bradley · August 14, 2015, 04:22:24 PM

...and if you use one of the newer inverter generators you can really reduce noise and fuel usage. Provided you're not using at full load the whole time it's in use.

Scott & Heather · August 14, 2015, 05:41:37 PM

Hey guys, you're killing me. It's cummins

no g in there lol! As for smoking out the neighbors with genset exhaust, I added an exhaust stack to our coach. Here's a pic of it running in cold weather (you can see the smoke trail) generator is in old a/c bay:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chessie4905 · August 14, 2015, 06:44:18 PM

Looks like fuel consumption is about the same if you factor in the higher cost of diesel fuel.lol 68db@10 feet. The Honda idles down when load is lifted in the one switch position. Won't work when running ac though.

luvrbus · August 14, 2015, 07:01:14 PM

Stop at a rental store some of the light towers by Wacker and others have 3kw Kubota or other small diesel gen sets and they sell those off often .

I bought 4 at sale about 4 or 5 years ago and paid hardly nothing for the units from 3kw to 4.5 kw they have everything you need and they are water cooled