Propane Generators?

[IdahoMan]

First, found this on CR for $500. Onan, 15WK. Watcha' think?

Second, can anyone tell me about propane generators? Here's a thread for it.

Thanks.

 

[Specracer]

Have a V-6 natural gas one at home (one would think that one could be converted). Has saved our a..es many times. We have lost power for days, and for that duration, a generator is way more than a "nice to have" keeping the house pipes from freezing.

 

[Backwodsurvivor]

Sounds like a solid deal if its in decent shape. Generators that size use a lot of propane. They're great if you're piped into the city otherwise it's going to **** a tank down pretty quick. I'd expect 2-3 gal/hr.

 

[ttpete]

Sounds like a solid deal if its in decent shape. Generators that size use a lot of propane. They're great if you're piped into the city otherwise it's going to **** a tank down pretty quick. I'd expect 2-3 gal/hr.

It depends on how much load is on the unit. If you heat with propane and have a big tank, then it's less important.

 

[dlundblad]

I'm curious about them as well. Would fuel consumption noticeably decrease if a generator this size had a lighter load? The example of 2-3 gallons per hour was used above.

I'm considering one as well, but am unsure of the size. Whole house is nice if I ever had the need, but with a larger unit comes more fuel usage. In all reality, running hot water and a few lights/ power outlets is all I'd need. I will have a 1000 gallon tank.

 

[clubairth]

Good deal on a top brand. I would want some kind of shelter for it?
Any chance you could run it on natural gas? Mine does and it seems a whole lot simpler than propane.

I really must have a whole house generator as I live in the country with a well and sewage system that needs power. If on city utilities you won't have as critical need.
.
.
.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'm curious about them as well. Would fuel consumption noticeably decrease if a generator this size had a lighter load?

No ! Any constant speed generator will not have a significant fuel consumption even at lower load.

Only inverter generator save significant fuel on low loads.

 

[ttpete]

No ! Any constant speed generator will not have a significant fuel consumption even at lower load.

Only the inverter generator saves significant fuel on low loads.

A 4 pole alternator has to run at 1800 rpm to produce 60 Hz AC. The governor dictates how much throttle opening is required to maintain 1800 rpm at any given load. At no load, the throttle would be only open to idle/transition port, and fuel consumption would be a lot less than under full load when fuel would be drawn from the main metering circuit. Perhaps generating DC and converting it to AC via an inverter might be more efficient, but only during times of low load and maybe not at max load.

 

[mm08822]

No ! Any constant speed generator will not have a significant fuel consumption even at lower load.

Only inverter generator save significant fuel on low loads.

3600 rpm 60hz ac Generators I know of use ~67% of full load consumption when loaded 50%.

 

[ant.foste]

No ! Any constant speed generator will not have a significant fuel consumption even at lower load.

Only inverter generator save significant fuel on low loads.

Fuel burn rate changes as engine load goes up or down, due to requiring more fuel (btu) needed to create the additional power. Your post is very misleading and factually incorrect.

 

[randomledders]

That old Onan JC can easily be convert to natural gas. Throw in a pertronax electric ignition and it will run forever in a residential situation. There kind of noisy but there tough. Not sure if you plan on hooking it up to an automatic transfer switch but these require a three wire start signal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[p_mori7]

Idahoman; You **** !

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I wonder what it would take to convert this to propane: https://charlotte.craigslist.org/hvo/d/charlotte-onan-generator/6870877425.html

For $700 and it appears to have a V8, it would likely be more than any one home would need. Could be old as dirt too with the way those Ford valve covers look.

 

[sdeeter19555]

Make sure those big Onans aren't 3 phase...we owned one and it was 3 phase and was not convertible to single phase.

Running them isn't a problem, just need a regulator on the propane source...we test ran ours off a 20# cylinder.

Keep in mind that either propane or natural gas should have oil specifically for that fuel...while cleaner, I believe they dump more water into the oil.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[firebirdparts]

I'm curious about them as well. Would fuel consumption noticeably decrease if a generator this size had a lighter load? .

Of course. The governor controls the throttle.

 

[firebirdparts]

I wonder what it would take to convert this to propane: https://charlotte.craigslist.org/hvo/d/charlotte-onan-generator/6870877425.html

For $700 and it appears to have a V8, it would likely be more than any one home would need. Could be old as dirt too with the way those Ford valve covers look.

Looks like a Ford Y bock. 1950's.

 

[slow]

Of course. The governor controls the throttle.

Unless it is an inverter machine, they still run a constant rpm, so there is still a decent amount of fuel consumption even at little or no load.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Is this just about the world’s greatest website/forum?
Where else can one get so much relevant help and advice.
And this - “Idahoman, You ****”
Thanks to all you terrific folks on GJ!!

 

[Falcon67]

Looks like a Ford Y bock. 1950's.

Same, concur - Y block unit, maybe 292.

 

[finn]

Same, concur - Y block unit, maybe 292.

Yup, 272 or 292 Y block, although it could be an even older 239 or 256.

Not many 312s were sold for industrial use, I don’t think.

 

[scout4bta]

It's 3 phase:

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Those old JC's are about as bulletproof as it gets for am 1800rpm air cooled machine. Still tons of them out there as reefer backup in the attics of older grocery stores and telecom sites all over the country.

If you're looking for setting it up as standby, you'll need to get a load calc and figure whether you're able to run on city gas or what size propane tank you'll need for your what you want for run time. Also had some customers that set them up on a roll cart with some outlets and daisy chain some bottles together, but that's a big hassle to drag out and set up in the dead of winter.

I see it's local to the panhandle, so if you do pick it up you may want to give Bob at Selkirk Power Gen in Ponderay a call. He's a character and will talk your ear off, but knows his stuff.