| Author |
Message |
bruceknee (12.76.21.175)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 4:03 pm: | |
I won't need one for a while, just researching the research that has already been done by those wiser than I
thanks, bruce |
gary Stadler (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 2:23 am: | |
Personally I wouldn't do it any other way.
The Diesel genset guys will have different opinions.
For me:
instant starting regardless of weather or length of time since it was started last; zero wear on your genset engine meaning very little maintainance; impossible to flood; clean exhaust; simple to convert a gas gene if it's not already propane; clean and safe to fuel (no spilling of gasoline)
and to boot, the tank powers stove, heater, and refrigerator.
The biggest "con" I always hear is you need a big propane tank. yup, you do. I've got a 110 gallon tank mounted on my rails. It will run my two 13,500 A/C's for a week straight in the hot desert. Basically I use about a gallon an hour on a hot day with both AC's on high and the doors open which is not actually a real test. Actual, in the hot desert I run one AC most of the day and not at all at night and at the end of a very comfortable week I still have gas left over. Lots in fact.....
The other big "con" spoken about a lot is that propane is unsafe... well, yes- if you're a hack, you can get in trouble. But if you do the install by established rules it's probably one of the safest fuels around.
My two cents...
Cheers |
FAST FRED (63.234.23.235)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 6:08 am: | |
The "style " camping envisoned should determine thew noisemaker choice.
For under 200 or 300 hours a year my money is with the propane , even at $2.50 a gal.
The exhaust does not have the diesel stench , and in moderate volumes is not poisonous (propane vehicles operate inside factories) and is not cancer causing like the diesel.
The engines are far quieter , as is the exhaust note. For a non power hog the Honda water cooled units are cheap , very smoothy and quiet and will last as long as most lawnmower diesel concoctions beoing sold.Esp in RV use.
The exception is of course the fellow with a Total Electric Coach.
As most campgrounds will never allow genset operation and have no where near the electric needed for 220V cooling , 220V cooking, 220V heating, ect these folks enjoy different camping scenery , like Flying J, or another scenic truck stop.
However if camping in HEL* or next door and MUST air cond for 24/7/365 a diesel will burn cheaper fuel for those long months of constant operation.
Determine your lifestyle , and the choice is simple.
One more advantage of propane is they have been made for RV's for decades so finding one used is fairly simple and inexpensive (OHNO!).
FAST FRED |
bruceknee (12.76.102.55)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 8:09 am: | |
Where do you find 80-100 gal tanks?
I'm guessing it would install in one of the bays |
gary Stadler (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 10:23 am: | |
Manchester tank makes DOT mobile tanks up to 110 gallons. They ain't cheap (well over a grand new)... fortunately I bought mine for my last bus almost 20 years ago when they were only $300 or so, and kept it in storage sfter I sold the bus. It's virtually new.
I've got a Crown which is built like a truck with frame rails running conveniently down the length. The tank simply hangs on tank hangers made for a diesel rig fuel tank and nestles perfectly in one of the side access door panels.
I've seen 50-75 gallon tanks gop by on ebay more than once for under $250 last year... |
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