rear bumper generator

dieselsmoke · 05-16-2016, 04:18 PM

Hello to all, I was looking for a little advice. I was thinking about utilizing the gas line for the outside kitchen to run a smaller duel fuel generator (3850 running watts)mounted to the rear bumper. The outdoor kitchen propane line has a quick disconnect and is 1/2 inch diameter. It is all the way to the back of my Keystone Hideout 298bhds. So when the outdoor kitchen is not in use I could just plug the generator into the same quick disconnect for propane and then plug the 30 amp power into the generator. Does anyone foresee any problems with this idea. I dont see specs for the generator btu needs but it cant possibly need any more than 1/2 I have a 10k at my house that uses 3/4 gas line

This generator manual says 20 hours of run at 50% load on a 20lb bottle of propane. With 60lbs available on my 5th wheel its better than using gasoline Any thoughts guys? Thanks

Heres a link to the generator:
http://www.sears.com/duromax-4850w-h...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

Mike484 · 05-16-2016, 05:09 PM

Just my opinion.

That would be a lot of weight on the bumper, I would be afraid of damaging both the bumper and the generator as its bouncing around while traveling.

I also think that the generator will be very load sitting right next to the trailer, really should look at an inverter generator.

The dual fuel is a great idea though.

dieselsmoke · 05-16-2016, 05:32 PM

The inverter generator I have, 2200 ryobi is great, but it wont run the a/c. I would run some flat stock steel out from the frame to mount the generator so that I dont overload the, not so sturdy bumper. My setup has my bedroom over the 5th wheel so noise wont be terrible. I just stayed next to someone running this same generator I'm looking at and was amazed how quiet it was. Not as quiet as an inverter for sure, but definitely worth looking at. Its 69 db where my ryobi is 63 db and a regular old 7500 watt unit runs at 76. Im mostly questioning the ability to plug a generator into that 1/2 existing propane line due to possibly "double regulating" the gas pressure. Once at the on board tanks and then again at the generator itself. I appreciate all you experience! Thank you

notanlines · 05-17-2016, 01:40 AM

I have two thoughts on this idea of yours. The generator weighs too much to put on the rear bumper of any 5th wheel. The bouncing simply will take it's toll after awhile. But the first thing I noticed is the idea that this 7 HP motor will run for 20 hours on half load on a 20 pound bottle of propane.....one pound of propane per hour? Under any kind of load? I'm calling BS on this one. I may be wrong, it has happened before. I sure would l8ike to hear from some owners who have actually measured the propane consumption on a medium sized generator.
By the way, I don't see the noise being any problem whatsoever.

dieselsmoke · 05-17-2016, 04:44 AM

Im no expert in this area but the manual says "Avg. Fuel Consumption: 20 Hours on Propane & 8 Hours depending on load" Also, a 20lb bottle of propane is really just shy of 5 gallons of lp (4.7lbs). So it appears to be much more efficient on propane. Also I would not mount this directly to the bumper, I would extend from the frame flat steel to mount to. This generator weights 150pds. I see many people who have done this and I would be sure to make it strong and secure. A duel fuel setup utilizing the on board propane just seems to make sense for my uses. Thank you

nellie1289 · 05-17-2016, 05:49 AM

Have you thought about something like this? this is way smaller and a lot quieter. I have the gas only version of this and I can tell you its is super quiet! it says it will run 20 hours on 5 gallons of propane, but 8 hours on 1.6 gallons of gas. So based on the price of gas and the price of propane, gas would certainly be cheaper around these parts but would be nice to also have propane and your outside kitchen would outlet would work well. Plus its only 90 lbs instead of 150.

http://www.costco.com/.product.10028...rySiloedViewCP

dieselsmoke · 05-17-2016, 06:59 AM

thats a nice genny, I guess I should plug my a/c in at the house and then measure starting and running amps, to determine my actual needs. Im concerned that unit is short on wattage needs for my 15k single a/c. I dont need overkill cause that just burns fuel, and is too big and heavy. But I dont want a unit that will need to run at 100% when the a/c is on. My ryobi 2200/1800 can not handle the load. Thats why I thought this 3850 running watts unit would be big enough but not too big, if you know what im getting at.

nellie1289 · 05-17-2016, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselsmoke

thats a nice genny, I guess I should plug my a/c in at the house and then measure starting and running amps, to determine my actual needs. Im concerned that unit is short on wattage needs for my 15k single a/c. I dont need overkill cause that just burns fuel, and is too big and heavy. But I dont want a unit that will need to run at 100% when the a/c is on. My ryobi 2200/1800 can not handle the load. Thats why I thought this 3850 running watts unit would be big enough but not too big, if you know what im getting at.

I think most people report this is just fine for 15k btu. the gas only version of this generator on Costco of this people report 15k is just fine. I have the gas one, it is amazingly quiet, I can easily lift it etc into back of truck. it runs my 13.5 btu easily(not even at full throttle) and everything else inside like tvs etc. That one you are looking at would be super loud in my opinion but good luck on your decision. If it wont run your 15k btu you can easily return it to Costco. Their return policy is unmatched.

ON edit: I do see it has a slightly lower power output on propane than gas, so that may be a deciding factor for you too.

On second edit: one of the reviewers on Costco says it starts his 15k btu ac no problem. he doesn't specify if that is on gas or propane.

On third edit: per the own product description :Quiet, lightweight and portable; the Champion 2,800W Inverter Generator provides clean, quiet power for campsites, RV's, cabins and other remote locations. 2,800 Watts Running, 3,100 Watts Maximum output is powerful enough to start a 15,000btu air conditioner

So if it doesn't then just return it.

mfifield01 · 05-17-2016, 10:22 AM

My Champion 2800/3100 starts my 15k A/C. I did have to turn Eco Mode Off, but it started it fine.

dieselsmoke · 05-17-2016, 10:29 AM

OK so it sounds like this champion will work than. So, if i go with that champion duel fuel, what do you guys think about using that propane quick connect to run it?

mfifield01 · 05-17-2016, 10:32 AM

I guess I should have stated that I ran mine on regular gasoline.

nellie1289 · 05-17-2016, 11:33 AM

I don't know why hooking it up to your propane on the outdoor kitchen wouldn't work, but I still don't think its easier and refilling propane tanks seems harder than gas cans but would be a nice backup too.

**JRTJH** · 05-17-2016, 02:12 PM

If you look at the "efficiency" of regular gas vs LPG, you'll see that there is about 111,000 BTU in a gallon of gas and about 83000 BTU in a gallon of LPG. That means that not only is the "output" of the generator less when operating on LPG, but the amount of energy in a "gallon of propane" is about 25% less than in a gallon of regular gas. http://www.energyalmanac.ca.gov/transportation/gge.html

When you consider that gas costs about $2.49 a gallon and propane is $19.95 for a "Blue Rhino" refill (4 gallons) the cost of propane is roughly double the cost of gasoline. Considering that it produces less BTU's of energy, not only is it less efficient (when used to power a generator) but it costs significantly more per hour of generator operation.

Most of the places I camp and/or travel have a large number of gas stations where I can go "fill" a 5 gallon gas can, but there are only limited places where I can fill a propane bottle or swap one out.

For me, just the convenience of obtaining fuel for a gas generator vs the problems associated with regular refills for propane tanks would make it not work for me. If the cost of the generators was about equal, I'd consider a "dual fuel" model just to have the ability of a "back up" fuel source, but I think, for the way I camp and the difficulty finding propane, it would be a "non player" for me.

dcg9381 · 05-17-2016, 02:34 PM

Everything John said is spot on. Two thoughts about the advantages of LPG:
1) If you don't have a toy hauler, it may be more convenient to do LPG.
2) LPG doesn't have issues with carb varnish/ethanol, that is, it's going to take less care than a gas motor in terms of making sure the carb is healthy.

nellie1289 · 05-17-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcg9381

Everything John said is spot on. Two thoughts about the advantages of LPG:
1) If you don't have a toy hauler, it may be more convenient to do LPG.
2) LPG doesn't have issues with carb varnish/ethanol, that is, it's going to take less care than a gas motor in terms of making sure the carb is healthy.

Is there ever a time that John is NOT spot on?

dieselsmoke · 05-17-2016, 05:16 PM

Im more undecided now than I was before but, I'm thankful for all you guys chiming in. All things considered maybe I should just get another Ryobi inverter and a parallel kit. As pointed out earlier in the thread I can carry them easily, its quieter and price wise they aren't that bad. Id have 3600 watts running them together with the flexibility of running one or both. The 3 year warranty on them is good too. Thanks again

nellie1289 · 05-17-2016, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselsmoke

Im more undecided now than I was before but, I'm thankful for all you guys chiming in. All things considered maybe I should just get another Ryobi inverter and a parallel kit. As pointed out earlier in the thread I can carry them easily, its quieter and price wise they aren't that bad. Id have 3600 watts running them together with the flexibility of running one or both. The 3 year warranty on them is good too. Thanks again

well your Ryobi on craigslist and put it towards the champion. then you only have to deal with one generator, 1/2 the fuel burn, etc. and still get your natural gas option. used generators(trust me on this) is one of the easiest items to sell on craigslist ever especially if you can advertise it as still having warranty.

gearhead · 05-18-2016, 01:41 PM

Keep the one Ryobi, buy another, and the parallel kit. More versatile. Two 50 pound gens are easier to move than one 100 pounder. If you need to just run a few lights and charge the batteries, one of the Ryobi will do it much quieter than a 3500.

Nagrompj · 05-18-2016, 02:28 PM

I have a Champion 3500/4000 watt generator that I converted to run on propane or gasoline. The engine displacement on my Champion and the generator your looking at have the same displacement (196cc). I have no issues running my generator from the quick disconnect at the back of the trailer.

The nice thing about using propane is 0 carb maintenance. If you need to run the generator a lot you can always run it on gasoline.

I would rethink mounting your generator to the rear bumper. To many horror stories of bumper or frame failures.

nellie1289 · 05-18-2016, 05:09 PM

I can tell you I have a Yamaha 4500 inverter that was nearly 3000$ that is rated at 53 db and a Honda eu 2000 rates at 51 db and the champion 2800/3100 is just as quiet for a fraction of the cost. Read the other generator posts on this forum for a more detailed review

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