Gas vs. Propane which is better for a generator?

[FrankTJ]

Hi, I’m new here. I just bought my first camper. I’m thinking of buying a generator. Which is better to run it on gas or propane? How long will a 2000 watt generator run on propane compared to gas.

[ALJO]

Read any generator brochure and it will tell you.

[eow]

Propane is more convenient since already available on your TT. Propane also does not gum up your carburetor like ethanol gas will if not run dry or treated with fuel stabilizer. The down side of propane is that it does not produce the same horsepower so the generator’s output is reduced. Another negative with propane is it will not vaporize as effectively at temperatures below freezing.

I have read claims of 14 or more hours running on a 20 lb propane tank.

[stateboy]

They gererally run longer on a tank full of gas verses a 20# lp tank. I have a duel fuel Champion. Based on brochure info and prices this past summer, it would cost me about 50 cents an hour on gas and $1.50 an hour for propane. It comes down to convenience and frequency of use if the cost for and availability of fuel is not a factor. I'm staying with LP for now so I don't have to winterize the generator since I'm located in Michigan.

[Jagiven]

Hard question to answer! There are pros and cons to both.

Gasoline based generators can have more carburetor issues. Modern carbs are not rebuildable. Modern gas spoils fairly easily and can foul a carb. So it is best to run no oxygenated fuel, this helps eliminate this issue. You should also run the generator every month to keep the fuel in the carb from fouling up the needles.

Propane based generators do not have the carb fouling issues as the fuel is a vapor, as it enters the carb. However a big issue, propane has less energy in the fuel, so the generator cannot produce as many watts.

This past fall, I purchased a Champion 3500 dual fuel generator. I have only put on 15 hours on it so far (added a hour meter). I really like it. My plan is to never put gasoline in the tank. I can store propane for a long time as there is no shelf life concerns. I also always have 6+ tanks around the house. I also do not need to worry about tipping a fuel can over in the back of my TV. Down side, filling a gas can can be easier than refilling a propane tank (I do not use tank exchanges).

I would have preferred a Champion 2500 and paralleled two together if I needed more power. Unfortunately everyone was sold out. The 3500 really is a two person lift to get it in and out of the TV.

[CAG]

Cost is probably the biggest factor and fuel availability on your rig being up there with that.



If you are one who fails to maintain equipment the carb in a gas generator will give you problems down the road. If you simply remember to run Sea Foam or other stabilizer you will likely never have an issue. I keep Sea Foam in the tanks of all gas operated equipment and have never had an issue.

[GHen]

I only run my generators (and lawn mower, chain saw, weed eater, hot Rod, etc) on ethanol free fuel available in most towns.