Run time on generator

[twes36]

Winding down the great freeze of 2021 in Texas. New generator came in handy with power loss. The only issue is run time on a tank of gas.

Ironton from Northern Tool
5500/7000 size
Tank holds 6.8 gallons
Paperwork says this should last 10.8 hours on half load
Running television and small heater - nothing big
Tank only lasted 6 hours

Is this normal?

 

[RalphVa]

We had a 4.4 kw generator. Its 4 gallon tank would go about 12 hours.

Now have a 12.5 kw Isuzu diesel. 60 gallon tank will go 10 days.

Ralph

 

[seville009]

some generators have a manual switch that allows it to run in a “low power” mode if the load is lessened as opposed to having the generator run at 100% all the time. Does your generator have such a switch?

 

[robstaples]

Engine running rich? New engine not tuned perfect? I’m not a small engine guy.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Winding down the great freeze of 2021 in Texas. New generator came in handy with power loss. The only issue is run time on a tank of gas.

Ironton from Northern Tool
5500/7000 size
Tank holds 6.8 gallons
Paperwork says this should last 10.8 hours on half load
Running television and small heater - nothing big
Tank only lasted 6 hours

Is this normal?

Every small gas generator of around that size, that's not an inverter generator that I've been around, has used around a gallon of gas an hour, that's why MY small generator is an "inverter" generator.

SR

 

[CobyRupert]

Generator is 5500 watts. 1/2 loaded is 2750 watts. Online manual says 9.5 hrs at 1/2 load.
What is the load you were putting on it?
Could be running rich. How do they come up with number, did you run it to the last drop? What type of gas? Ethanol?

 

[rademamj1]

I checked carefully, and your generator has an automatic load switch, that that controls engine RPM vs load.

So in your generator specs where it says:
Run time: 10.2 hours for 1/2 load. This is probably an inaccurate statement.

Unfortunately, my experience with generators is they will use about 1 gallon per hour. That's why for all future generators I will only get dual fuel gensets, that allows propane hookups as fuel source, and a 30lb propane tank is good for 2 full days of operation.

 

[PILOON]

When it comes to cold, fuel consumption becomes the lesser worry compared to survival and comfort.

I run a 9000 watt genset and sure it costs $$ to run but when it's -25 frankly I don't give a darn.
OK, I can also enjoy some creature comforts as well (TV, 'net) but that's not the goal.
Survival is what it's all about.

It is about 20 CF freezer full of food, a week or 2 worth of food in the fridge, running sump pumps and having well water to flush the loo etc.

Long ago I decided my freezer and saved food alone would justify a generator and where I live I think I've proven that many time over.
In fact I 'blew' my 10 year old 5KW set and immediately replaced with my current 10KW.
Both with electric start and DIY linked to an intelligent charger at all times. Activated via a manual switchover and the genset linked outlets clearly identified in my house.

The only regret is I use gasoline as no natural gas here and diesel sets are very pricy but I learned to live with that.
Always use high test gas* and run dry after each event plus stabilizer has worked so far.
Keeping tank full also deters condensation.

* hi test has no alcohol content which is known to affect seals and rubber as well create rust in tanks.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I checked carefully, and your generator has an automatic load switch, that that controls engine RPM vs load.

So in your generator specs where it says:
Run time: 10.2 hours for 1/2 load. This is probably an inaccurate statement.

Unfortunately, my experience with generators is they will use about 1 gallon per hour. That's why for all future generators I will only get dual fuel gensets, that allows propane hookups as fuel source, and a 30lb propane tank is good for 2 full days of operation.

Have you actually tried to run your generator two full days on a 30lb tank of propane??

SR

 

[grsthegreat]

Have you actually tried to run your generator two full days on a 30lb tank of propane??

SR

must be an awfully small generator. Those 30# tanks can freeze up badly. I cant see 2 days on one. The neighbor has a champion dual fuel, and quite a few tanks. I need to ask him how long between tanks. Still way cleaner running than gas. Easier on spark plugs and oil also.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

must be an awfully small generator. Those 30# tanks can freeze up badly. I cant see 2 days on one. The neighbor has a champion dual fuel, and quite a few tanks. I need to ask him how long between tanks. Still way cleaner running than gas. Easier on spark plugs and oil also.

That was where I was going, it's NOT going to happen!

SR

 

[rademamj1]

Have you actually tried to run your generator two full days on a 30lb tank of propane??

SR

I converted my Honda EU2000 to run on propane, and it gets just about 40 hours operation on a 30lb propane tank

 

[Sawyer Rob]

* hi test has no alcohol content which is known to affect seals and rubber as well create rust in tanks.

That's NOT true in all area's, some has ethanol and some doesn't...

SR

 

[grsthegreat]

But a 2000 watt gen won’t help much. A refrigerator can take up to 1200 watts to start. Most people also have separate freezers, than throw in a well. I had a 5,000 watt unit before my current one. It did marginal. Ran refer and freezer, some lights. Turn on microwave and lights dimmed.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I converted my Honda EU2000 to run on propane, and it gets just about 40 hours operation on a 30lb propane tank

I have an EU2000, and it IS very fuel efficient, but you can't run much of a home on it either... Also, a generator has even less output when on propane, which limits the 2000 even more.

The OP was talking about a 5k genset on half load... Also, bigger generators have more problems on propane in the cold than in warm weather...

 

[grsthegreat]

i had one of those nifty patio heaters that run on a bbq style can of propane. when tank got about 1/2 empty on a cold day, flame went out. tank had frozen. whole house generators require a minimum 250 gal tank size to prevent this. my unit is 1000 gal buried tank. when living in north idaho, cant be too careful

 

[MickeyDBC]

I brought the Hobart Champion Elite back from the ranch on Friday and so far we have been on generator power from it for about 37 hours. We have a 3300 foot house with lots of windows and Texas quality insulation and we ran lights, tv, two gas furnaces, 1100 watt space heater in the garage, pretty much everything but the electric oven, and it used about a gallon of gas an hour.

 

[user.69169]

Not gonna get into mine bigger den yers crapsling, just gonna point out 3600 rpm machine gonna be gas hog and pure he!! on lube oil cause oil in crankcase is half of engine cooling.

Sit de dang propane can in front of machine exhaust and get some value out of all de waste heat machine makes from fuel you paid for.

(removed) still runnin 1952 Onan CCK generator dat turns 1800 rpm. Burns about 3/4 gallon gas an hour and gets topdown oilchange every 24 hours running. Changed out fuel pump long time back to prevent MTBE gas passing thru Onan diaphram into oil. Happy machine and it knows 1951 Kohler 4 cylinder sitting in trailer waiting if CCK dies. Bought it a new battery dis fall.

Got Coleman spodabe 4500 watt in van fer portable use wid electric start. Coleman get 8 hour oil change and uses near twice gas per hour of Onan 7500 watt. Coleman won't last de hours Onan already has. 3600 rpm.

Come warm time both machines getting LED volt/amp meters fer to entertain me.

 

[PILOON]

Said (removed)"
"Come warm time both machines getting LED volt/amp meters fer to entertain me."

I also found them on Ali Baba @ very reasonable cost.
Came c/w with amp pick up coil: reads Volts, Amps and Hertz.
Plan is to install on main power panel.

 

[workinonit]

Frequency meter is the critical reading. If freq drops to low or spikes too high you start to roast things, especially electronics. Most generators accomplish this by having a volt meter. All 3 is better. I installed a 200A/100mV shunt and voltage/frequency transducer. I use a 1/8 din panel meter that reads all 3 in a rolling display.