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Topic: GPH or HPG? (Read 911 times) previous topic - next topic

GPH or HPG?

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!
Kevin

Current  1997 U295. Build #5160
Previous 1994 U300

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #1 –
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

1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #2 –
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.
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: GPH or HPG?

Reply #3 –
Various reports here at .44 gph for the power tech and my personal propane gen use was a gallon an hour dozens of times
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #4 –
On the Beam Site, there is a all-encompassing generator manual. According to the manual, it's .47 GPH for the 10K at 50%.
AKA Chuck
1993 U280 40' WTB, Build 4345, CUM 8.3 "Falcor", 2010 Honda CRV TOAD (Spock), 970W solar on roof
Full-Time traveler between Quartzsite AZ, Longview WA, Ellendale ND, and Lake City SD
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Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #5 –
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
Matt
95 U300, 78k miles
Cat 3176 Jake Brake, HD4060.

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #6 –
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)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
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
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #8 –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: wa_desert_rat –
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.
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.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #10 –
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.
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #11 –
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.
Matt
95 U300, 78k miles
Cat 3176 Jake Brake, HD4060.

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: car54 –
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.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #13 –
Quote from: car54 –
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.

I do use locking gas caps
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #14 –
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.

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #15 –
Thanks for the replies!  Based on overall diesel burn, we guessed around .6 gph. 

Take care and thanks.
Kevin

Current  1997 U295. Build #5160
Previous 1994 U300

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #16 –
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..
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)
 

Re: GPH or HPG?

Reply #17 –
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