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Topic: Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV (Read 1004 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV

Our '89 GV propane tank has 55 Gal. capacity stamped on it. Due to the generator shutting down at 1/2 tank on the gauge I thought something was amiss so I ran the tank dry until all that was in it was sailboat fuel.

Propane fillup came out to 42.7 Gal. which is close to 80% of 55--comes out to 44 Gal.

Just a little info for those that have the older rigs with the 55 Gal. tanks.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV

Reply #1 –
You must have a bigger tank.  The spec on mine is 174 lbs. which I think converts to 41.42 gallons with 80% being 33.14 gallon actual capacity.  I know I've run my generator until the tank is less than 1/4 without it shutting off.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV

Reply #2 –
You should be able to run the generator until the tank is completely empty.  Yes, at the very end when the liquid pickup tube is above the liquid level, you may/will be running on high pressure vapor, but it runs just find on high pressure vapor.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV

Reply #3 –
If this is an motorhome mounted ASME tank, check the information plate attached to the tank look for a section that says "WATER CAPACITY" the number following will be the total capacity of liquid that the container will hold. Propane is only liquid under pressure so account for this and 80 percent of the total capacity should be the liquid fill level.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV

Reply #4 –
Good to know about running till empty.  Mine came to me rigged to run off the vapor side so I didn't have to convert.  I'm surprised it wasn't set up that way to begin with considering the advantage with regard to the regulator.  My connections look like they have been that way for a very long time.  The previous owner didn't modify hardly anthing so I'm surprised he did the vapor change over.  Aside from the battery cut off switches on each of the two negative posts I can't see that he changed a thing.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV

Reply #5 –
Dwayne, your propane tank should have the capacity stamped right on the tank like PatC says. Mine is stamped 55 Gallons
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Dwayne –
Good to know about running till empty.  Mine came to me rigged to run off the vapor side so I didn't have to convert.  I'm surprised it wasn't set up that way to begin with considering the advantage with regard to the regulator.  My connections look like they have been that way for a very long time.  The previous owner didn't modify hardly anthing so I'm surprised he did the vapor change over.  Aside from the battery cut off switches on each of the two negative posts I can't see that he changed a thing.

Interesting. A friend and I have the generator out for service, and with the help of all of the Onan manuals found that the NHE G series Emerald Plus in my 91 U225 has a gasoline carburetor with a vapor conversion kit, and from all indications it was installed that way when new.

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa
 

Re: Propane tank size vs actual fill on a GV

Reply #7 –
Makes sense.  The tech at Cummins made some comment that my generator was a gasoline engine converted to run on propane.  I didn't argue with him as from the period literature (thanks Barry) I knew it came from the factory set up to run on propane.  Perhaps the engine was selected knowing it could be converted and they did the conversions there.  Interesting.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060