What say you? Best guesstimate on hours per gallon on a 10kw Powertech under moderate load? Have always been curious.........ran our generator for 48 hours this weekend.
Thanks, safe travels!
Most people assume it takes about 0.5 gallons per hour to run a generator and that doesn't depend upon size... propane generators tend to be smaller but propane isn't as efficient; diesel generators are larger but diesel is more efficient. I use that number for my estimates but most of our generator use is an hour or so at a time; hardly ever long periods of time and usually around breakfast.
Craig
Would expect that Powertech could supply you with consumption figures at various loads.
Were I to pull a number out of the air, with a 50% load on a 10 KW generator, I would project .75 GPH.
Let us know what Powertech says.
Various reports here at .44 gph for the power tech and my personal propane gen use was a gallon an hour dozens of times
On the Beam Site, there is a all-encompassing generator manual (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/Power_tech_kubota_8k-10k-12k_operators_manual-7.html). According to the manual, it's .47 GPH for the 10K at 50%.
I ran my powertech 10kw kubota for over four days straight (100-120hrs best guess) at Bonnaroo, powering my RV and my neighbors RV (single 13.5 AC) thru intense heat. 60 miles of driving round trip from the fuel stop as well as 4 hours idling in line to enter the festival and I burned 46 gallons. I think we probably averaged .5-.75gph during the day and much less at night... I was running my water heater electrically as well.
Check out the diesel burn calculator. It has proven to be extremely accurate for me, in daily use on generators that make our main engines look like toys.
Fuel Burn Calculator - Hardy Diesel's & Equipment Inc * Diesel Generators (http://www.hardydiesel.com/generator-fuel-consumption-calculator.html)
For the most accurate "personalized" answer, rig up a separate 5 gallon clear calibrated fuel tank, and run gen for 24 hours with your "normal" load. Or, install a good quality fuel-flow meter in your fuel line. Or be like us - don't worry about it (until it quits!). 8)
Therein may lie one of the few advantages of the propane-powered generator; if you run it 'til it quits the worst that happens is you can't cook... but you can still drive to a propane place to get more. :P
Craig
The diesel generator's fuel pickup is placed above the engine's pickup so when it quits, it leaves you a partial tank of diesel to get to a fuel station.
Pierce
Actually, the generator is supposed to quit at 1/4 fuel tank capacity left - a built-in safety device to prevent being stranded. Don't know if it really works - we have never "tested" the theory.
I can verify that generator will shut down when fuel gets to 1/4 tank. I thought it was a problem with the generator but fueled up and waited till I got back to the farm. Started right up and ran fine.
Yup. I keep my tank as near empty as possible because I keep my rv in a location that is open to fuel theft. It has happened to diesel trucks in the area in the past, and i have run low enough while returning home that the generator stopped but the gauge showed fuel remaining. Upon adding a small ampunt, the gen would fire right up.
The generator fuel pickup is located higher in the tank so the generatior usage won't keep you from being able to drive somewhere for fuel.
I do use locking gas caps
Keeping the fuel tank full goes a long way to prevent alge & issues, besides all my compartments lock, I keep them All locked. I do not park in shady areas.
After about 6,000 hrs of generator use on diesel, 1.5 L Perkins, 3 cyl. 12 kW, Averaged 10 GPDay from beginning to end. When I left, the 1st happening was start genset ran non stop until it got parked back in my garage.
Thanks for the replies! Based on overall diesel burn, we guessed around .6 gph.
Take care and thanks.
Chuck, mine woks.. scared he c@@p out of me.. driving down the hot road, gen quits.. pulling into a Pilot to refuel..
Started right back up once I realized..
My opinion, if your averaging over .42 gph ON the Genset, you have an unusual large load. My setup on the MCI, 3 Roof A/C, household refrig, electric water heater, electric heat, my 6,000+ hour average was 10 gal per day or .417 gph on diesel.
FWIW