Your last generator Maintenance Run

[grsthegreat]

Actually thE huge, Expensive diesel pushers like my friend have use generators alot. Theres no propane in the unit. Everything including 3 ac units, water heater, induction cooktop, floor heat is electric. If not plugged into 50 amp rv service, the generator is running for everything except basic lighting. Heck the thing doesnnt even have standard doors. The doors slide into walls like starship enterprise.

 

[3Ts]

The diesel gensets on motorhomes I'm familiar with have the generator fuel pickup about 1/4 the way from the bottom so it will not use all the road fuel and strand you.

 

[3930dave]

The fuel gauges on the hose on a BBQ type tank are actually a pressure gauge, not a volume gauge. As the propane boils (boiling temp is -60ish farenheit) it pressurized the system. Pressure depends on ambient tempature. But in all reality all the gauge will tell you is you are out of propane after you have already run out. The can will maintain proper pressure until it runs out then pressure drops like a rock.

Most big house tanks have the float style gauge that actually works as well as standard car gas gauge though. Not sure what the propane vehicles use.

I'm not sure how they sense on vehicle tanks, but if it's just pressure, that would explain the couple of cheesy displays I've seen. No point showing 15 steps of resolution, if the reading is all over the place w. temperature.....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

It's too bad the builders of the diesel motorhomes cheap-out and use propane gensets.
They're already expensive enough why not give the owner the use of their road fuel capacity?
How much more would the cost be?
Of course,you would be paying road tax on the genny fuel!

Best Regards!

Price point. A buddy of mine resurrected a dzl pusher that had been sitting a long time in Florida a few years back. 8.3 Cummins, so it was worth the time....

Had the original bill of sale with it....... IIRC, the diesel gen option was something like $10k alone.

I like propane, but diesel is usually easier to find when travelling....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Actually thE huge, Expensive diesel pushers like my friend have use generators alot. Theres no propane in the unit. Everything including 3 ac units, water heater, induction cooktop, floor heat is electric. If not plugged into 50 amp rv service, the generator is running for everything except basic lighting. Heck the thing doesnnt even have standard doors. The doors slide into walls like starship enterprise.

At that price level, operating cost means nothing.

To a peasant like me, I'd really miss the efficiency of a propane fridge...... IMO, they are really impressive.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

The diesel gensets on motorhomes I'm familiar with have the generator fuel pickup about 1/4 the way from the bottom so it will not use all the road fuel and strand you.

A mechanic i know borrowed an RV, went way up north. Spent weekend telling tall tales with buddies, while on generator.

I guess this RV was parked somewhere most of the time..... .the owner had modified the gen pickup tube, down to the bottom of the tank, but forgot to mention this detail.....

The borrower ended up scrounging up empty 1 L pop bottles to fill with enough gas to get back out to a gas station......

Original designs are often there for a reason

Rgds, D.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

That usually happens when someone puts in a gen after purchase and they plumb it it the main fuel pickup or the tank is replaced with a standard automotive tank without the 1/4 pickup. Sometimes they are at 50% so people move the gen pickup to the main intentionally.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

But I don’t see why semi trucks don’t have a diesel generator to provide heat or ac when parked and you could circulate the coolant through the truck engine to keep it warm. Idling the truck engine 24/7 seems like a huge waste of fuel plus a lot of wear.

Actually that’s quite common, Onan, then Cummins has had them for 30 years. They became quite popular when the anti idling laws came into effect. The current model is called Comfort Guard.

With everyone looking for old MEPS units, here’s something to look forward to when they become surplus:

Cummins Advanced Combat Engine (AUSA 2018) - YouTube

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Actually that’s quite common, Onan, then Cummins has had them for 30 years. They became quite popular when the anti idling laws came into effect. The current model is called Comfort Guard.

With everyone looking for old MEPS units, here’s something to look forward to when they become surplus:

Cummins Advanced Combat Engine (AUSA 2018) - YouTube

Thanks for the link. This old man just learned about this type of single cylinder engine technology for the first time.

 

[3930dave]

Good stuff cm..... thnx for the link !

Rgds, D.