Screen Removal Bargman L-300 Door Handle brakes Satellite Fuel Tank Fire Extinguishers Roof Antenna Tech Talk Forum Shortcut Motor Oil Window Generators headlights batteries Radiator AC Unit Grab Handle Wiper Blades Wiper Blades Door Locks Door Locks Door Locks Door Locks Rims Front Shocks Rear Shocks Front Tires Oil Filter Steps Roof Vent Awning Propane Tank Mirror Info Clearance Lights Clearance Lights Clearance Lights Clearance Lights Clearance Lights Spartan Chassis Gillig Chassis Freightliner Chassis P-32 Chassis MCC Chassis
    Forums    Tech Talk    Generators
Go to...
Start A New Topic
Search
Notify
Tools
Reply To This Topic
  
Generators
 Login now/Join our community
 
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com12/10
Picture of Gerald
posted
Hello everyone,
I am fairly new to the site, but as a few of you know I am looking to buy my first Barth, actually my first motorhome which will be a Barth! The amount of information in these posts and the wisdom of the author's has been a tremendous help in deciding what to check and what to look for (last night I read about "bell cranks" never knew there was such a thing Smiler).
One subject I have not been able to find to much about yet is the advantages or disadvantages of having a common fuel source for both the engine and generator, such as in the Regency's. What are the disadvantages, if any, to the LPG generators. I see where some owners have replaced the LPG generators with gas or diesel. I would appreciate your thoughts -- Gerald


1986 Barth Regal SE
34 foot tag - 454 Chevy
8610 3363 34TFPOB
 
Posts: 227 | Location: Aberdeen, So. Dak. | Member Since: 09-25-2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 4/08
posted Hide Post
The biggest objection to LP fueled generators is fuel consumption. Usage with an ac running will be about 1 gallon per hour. If you have a large propane tank this is no problem.


'92 Barth Breakaway - 30'
5.9 Cummins (6B) 300+ HP
2000 Allison
Front entrance
 
Posts: 1183 | Location: Minneapolis/Yuma | Member Since: 08-17-2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com12/10
Picture of Gerald
posted Hide Post
Thanks Gary... is there any difference in the amount of sound they make or is that more of a "brand" issue? Is one any more safe than the other as far as running while driving? Is one easier to initially start than the other. I have read about installing bleeder valves for the LPG's


1986 Barth Regal SE
34 foot tag - 454 Chevy
8610 3363 34TFPOB
 
Posts: 227 | Location: Aberdeen, So. Dak. | Member Since: 09-25-2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
First Month Member
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 11/13
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Gerald:
Thanks Gary... is there any difference in the amount of sound they make?


I have measured propane and gasoline versions of the same genset, and noted no difference. My Kohler manual shows the propane version to have a lower output than the equivalent gasoline genset.

quote:
Is one any more safe than the other as far as running while driving?


I am a sissy, and do not drive with propane on.

There are other opinions. Smiler


.

84 30T PeeThirty-Something, 502 powered
 
Posts: 6169 | Location: AZ Central Highlands | Member Since: 01-09-2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 01/08
Picture of Deb&Eds38
posted Hide Post
Gerald.

I have a 1982 35' Regency deisel (8.2) with a 7 kW kohler generator that runs on gas. It's worked great for the last 10 years I have had the coach and run it most of the time while driving especially in the Summer months to keep the 2 AC's working and the bus nice and cool. The bus carries 150 gals. of diesel and has a seperate 50 gal. tank for the gas. It seems the more frequently I run it the better it runs.

ED.
 
Posts: 357 | Location: Ortona- Turkey Creek Florida | Member Since: 10-04-2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com12/10
Picture of Gerald
posted Hide Post
Thanks Ed,
Running with the A/C is what my concern was

bill h
I completely understand, I have always had a healthy respect (fear) of something they have to make smell bad just so you will notice it Smiler


1986 Barth Regal SE
34 foot tag - 454 Chevy
8610 3363 34TFPOB
 
Posts: 227 | Location: Aberdeen, So. Dak. | Member Since: 09-25-2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 2/16
Captain Doom
Picture of Rusty
posted Hide Post
I had a Kohler LPG genset in my coach. It was noisy, cantankerous, and a fuel hog (.85 gph at half load). I replaced it with a gaso Honda liquid-cooled, and a 25 gal gaso tank snuggled between the fram rails. The Honda is 6 to 16 db quieter (depending on where the sound is measured) and uses .33 gph at half-load.

The biggest use I have is the Nebraska Star Party, where the generator may run 80 hours during the week, I had to motor 35 miles into town for propane, and 35 miles back - twice during the week. It's 7 miles to a small service station, but I didn't need genset fuel.


Rusty


MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP; built-to-order by Peninsular Engines:  Hi-pop injectors, gear-driven camshaft, non-waste-gated, high-output turbo, 18:1 pistons.  Fuel economy increased by 15-20%, power, WOW!"StaRV II"

'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP

Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers

Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering.
- Arthur C. Clarke

It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
 
Posts: 7734 | Location: Brooker, FL, USA | Member Since: 09-08-2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 12/09
Picture of Turbodoc
posted Hide Post
I replaced my gasoline genset with a onan marquis gold 5.5 . It unbelievably quiet compared to the genset. I use the old genset as a backup generator for my shop. The newer generators meet the noise guidelines required b national parks.


Larry A. Barry DDS
2006 Tiffin Zephyr
NV5I
 
Posts: 59 | Location: Amarillo, Texas | Member Since: 02-20-2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 1/09
Picture of Stratosurfer
posted Hide Post
I've had both, my previous coach was a Coachmen 32 Rear Diesel w/propane generator. I now have the Regency with the diesel main engine and diesel genset. As has been mentioned the propane generators are heavy on fuel usage and for summer cruising with the airs on you'll need a really large propane tank. My biggest gripe on propane was when I calculated the price per gallon: many places will charge you twice the gas/diesel per gallon price. If you can get them to give it to you at bulk price you might get the price down but usually they attendant will try and charge you the small propane tank price (BBQ grill tank).
Just putting in diesel is very convenient and I can't see any advantage to the propane generator: except it does burn fairly clean. If you were to overnight at a Walmart parking lot in the heat of summer and everyone else had their gensets turning the A/C's, yours would put off less noxious fumes.
I would stay with the fuel for your generator that your main engine runs on.


1990 Regency 32 Center Aisle Spartan Chassis CTA8.3 Cummins 240HP 4 spd Allison 7.5 Diesel Genset Pac-brake Prosine 2000 Mickey's on the Rear Toyos front
 
Posts: 131 | Location: Brady, The Republic of Texas | Member Since: 01-13-2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 8/11
Picture of billyt53
posted Hide Post
Gerald, Here is the text of a magazine article I wrote concerning generator choices. Bear in mind that it is dated, LPG was 2 bucks a gallon and gasoline was a buck twenty-nine, but the tables are still relative. You can punch in the new values in a spread sheet if you want to for the tables to reflect today's numbers. Good Luck Barth Hunting!

How To Choose A Generator - (92 KB) ~ How to Chose a generator


Billy & Helen Thibodeaux

Retired from Billy Thibodeaux's Premiere RV, Inc. Scott, LA 70583 I-10 Exit 97
The Farm is near Duson, LA I-10 Exit 92 then N 1 mile on right
Three Full 50 Amp RV Hookups !
billynhelen@me.com
Data Tag: 9404-3908-36XI-2C
1994 Sovereign 36' Widebody on Spartan IC (Mountain Master Lite) Chassis.
Powered by Cummins ISL9-450
Onan 8,000 Quiet Diesel Genset
Toad: 2018 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Diesel with M&G Car Brake
 
Posts: 374 | Location: 1mile north of I-10 Exit 92, Duson, LA USA in The Heart of CAJUN COUNRTY ! ! ! | Member Since: 05-14-2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
  Powered by Social Strata  
 

    Forums    Tech Talk    Generators

This website is dedicated to the Barth Custom Coach, their owners and those who admire this American made, quality crafted, motor coach.
We are committed to the history, preservation and restoration of the Barth Custom Coach.