Thinking of a portable genset

[Javi]

I'm thinking that I might want/need a 3500-watt genset to run the fridge and maybe one 15K a/c on the trailer and/or the fridge, freezer and air handler at the house.

I'm thinking propane, not gas or even dual fuel.

Y'all got any suggestions, comments or advice.

I really want as light weight as possible.

[Badbart56]

Doesn't LP provide less energy than gasoline? Might need more generator than 3500 if you go that route. I was thinking of converting my Onan 5500 to LP but was advised against it for that reason.

[Javi]

Yes on propane a 3500 watt is about 3150 watt. Which should still run a 15k a/c with a soft start.

[chuckster57]

What is the fuel consumption difference. When I put Onan 5500 LP gens in new units it seemed like it sucked down a 30lb cylinder quickly and on one occasion caused a freeze up and it quit.

[bsmith0404]

3150 watts is only about 26 amps. That’s max, normal run is probably only around 2800 watts which is only 23A. The converter pulls about 7. That’s pushing it pretty close to being able to run an AC. If you go up in altitude at all, you’ll lose even more. I had a 3600/3300 and got rid of it for that reason. I recommend 4500 as a minimum.

[jasin1]

might be hard to find an lp only generator in that size…based on wanting it as light as possible i’d probably go with two 2000 watt champion dual fuel units and a parallel kit…easier to lift into the truck and if you don’t need air conditioner you can just bring one …also you don’t ever have to operate it on gasoline if you want to stick to lp…4000 watts total instead of 3500 minus the lp loss factor

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

What is the fuel consumption difference. When I put Onan 5500 LP gens in new units it seemed like it sucked down a 30lb cylinder quickly and on one occasion caused a freeze up and it quit.

I had a friend that used an Onan 5500 LP, if he had to run the furnace as well, a 30 lb cylinder lasted about a day

[Javi]

One note, this isn't for boondocking, it is about getting by in a worse case with power loss at the house and occasionally running one a/c at the storage facility when cleaning or working in the trailer in 105 degrees like today.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Javi

One note, this isn't for boondocking, it is about getting by in a worse case with power loss at the house and occasionally running one a/c at the storage facility when cleaning or working in the trailer in 105 degrees like today.

I get it. LP will store longer than gasoline. I haven’t looked but I’m wondering if portable LP only gens are readily available.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by Javi

One note, this isn't for boondocking, it is about getting by in a worse case with power loss at the house and occasionally running one a/c at the storage facility when cleaning or working in the trailer in 105 degrees like today.

103 lbs. good reviews and it’s an inverter generator so it’s safe for electronics..it’s a little pricy but 3 year warranty and lifetime tech support and you can run it just on lp

[jasin1]

if you don’t need the inverter then this one is more reasonable…123 lbs though

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by jasin1

103 lbs. good reviews and it’s an inverter generator so it’s safe for electronics..it’s a little pricy but 3 year warranty and lifetime tech support and you can run it just on lp

Guess they are.

[gearhead]

Watch Home Depot for sales on Champion gens. I bought 2 of their gasoline 4650 inverter gens on sale for $750 each. Both had fuel issues right off the bat that was fixed under warranty. They have run continuously for 4 days at racetracks. 100 pounds.

[Javi]

Here's the one I'm thinking will work for me.. What y'all think

https://www.championpowerequipment.c...fuel-inverter/

[dutchmensport]

Folks don't like to mention the Cummings Onan P4500i inverter generator, mostly because of it's price. They say the Westinghouse version is the same identical generator, but I cannot attest to that fact. The Cummings is definitely much more costly than the Westinghouse and for some reason, I just have a hard pill to swallow believing they can be the same with a $500 difference in price. But, I could be wrong.

Still, I have 2 of the Cummings I run in parallel for my 50 amp fifth wheel. One by itself will spit out 37 amps, which is more than comparable to 30 amp shore power. In fact, if you turn on everything in your camper, the camper 30 amp main will pop before the generator does. Running 2 of them in Parallel, I've turned on everything in my 50 amp camper, including electric griddles, coffee pots and everything else, and the power produced from the generators is identical to shore power.

They weigh in at over 100 pounds dry (no gas, no oil). The Cummings (I'll not confirm on the Westinghouse), holds 3.4 gallons of gas and will run for 18 hours under a normal light load. If under a medium load, can easily run for 15 hours.

It's very, very quiet, on 2 wheels with a telescoping handle which makes it easy to move, and fit's our needs perfect. We use them for camping and for power outages at the house. Being portable, I've also used them to run a number of my power tools... Skill Saws, Radial Arm Saw, a multitude of drills, air compressors, and even an electric pressure washer.

Now, if you want something good, that will serve you will, that is dependable, that has good customer support, (but is pricy) ... looking in the Onan P4500i, or the Westinghouse version for about $500 cheaper.

Again, I cannot testify about the Westinghouse. They look the same and the advertisements and the stat sheets show the same identical information, but are they really identical? I don't know. I've never used the Westinghouse. Your call on that one. But something makes them cheaper in price?

[bsmith0404]

I have a Westinghouse and worked at a dealership that sold the Onan. The only difference I see in them is the color and the name. Yes, 3.4 gallons of fuel. Performance with mine is identical to what you describe with your Onan.

[flybouy]

I have no idea if there's a difference or not but I'll throw in this thought. Often, especially with electronics and appliances, one manufacturer will build several brands that appear identical in every way but in reality can differ greatly. This is often the case with same branded and similar model number appliances.

The manufacturers build things to a specific specification. Walmart orders Samsung tvs for instance with a unique but similar model number to Samsung tvs sold elsewhere. Everything will look the same and even if you look inside they may look identical but there are differences. Walmart does the unique model number so it eliminates price matching and for a lower cost build. Components that meet Walmart specs may not meet Samsung specs. Does it make a difference? I don't know but my guess would be time would tell.

So just because two things LOOK identical doesn't guarantee that they are. JMHO, YMMV

[wiredgeorge]

Stop messing around and get rid of your dually and get one of those Ford F150 pickups that turn into a generator... I saw on a commercial one lighting up a whole house using an extension cord. And gas is a little cheaper than diesel.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Stop messing around and get rid of your dually and get one of those Ford F150 pickups that turn into a generator... I saw on a commercial one lighting up a whole house using an extension cord. And gas is a little cheaper than diesel.

George, haven't you seen the commercials? You tow the camper for about 250 miles then camp out in the wilderness. Then power the camper for the weekend and tow it home. Then at home you plug it in and recharge it where the electricity is apparently free. Right?

[notanlines]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

What is the fuel consumption difference. When I put Onan 5500 LP gens in new units it seemed like it sucked down a 30lb cylinder quickly and on one occasion caused a freeze up and it quit.

Listen to Chuckster. Our 6500 watt Onan can go through a 40 lb cylinder in 4 hot nights and DOES require an electric heating wrap ($100) to keep from freezing the tank/regulator.
No carb problems however!!!