chromisdesigns
New member
Load a couple hundred pound tanks into the boat before a trip? Should help some...I would likely be happy with a bigger tank and a water cooled propane genset if one existed.
Uncle Dave
Load a couple hundred pound tanks into the boat before a trip? Should help some...I would likely be happy with a bigger tank and a water cooled propane genset if one existed.
Uncle Dave
Second AC? I am guessing you are not driving a Sprinter...Where I'm at (California high desert) one has to run AC about 12 if not 24 hours a day, and at 100 degrees plus the propane genny has a hard time starting the second AC when its hot.
Uncle Dave
yes and no...obviously the 2 AC unit is the motorhome.Second AC? I am guessing you are not driving a Sprinter...
I did just take a trip across country at the peak of the heat. We ran the AC while driving, but got used to the heat at night. I guess the one night in Phoenix was the only night we plugged in and ran the AC all night. The campers do get hot, I think the Serenity is the worst at shedding heat, with that low (read thin) roof and tiny window openings. I can open the roof, which I prefer to opening the doors, one of the reasons I got the RV, but I do miss the ability to open the whole back and side and have the RV cool in minutes. But when the bugs are out having screens on everything like the Serenity does, even came with screens for the cab, I can leave the windows open and walk away. Not gonna come back to 1000 bugs circling the LED lights.
-Randy
ps. We had AC problems this trip. Got to Lake Havasu and discovered it was not blowing cold enough, but a trip to the dealer in Phoenix got us back and running. I won't lie, that is a HOT part of the world. The guys putting our mattress in, lifting the old one in and out at 110 in the shade and our camper in the sun, I'da passed out, but I come from foggy summers. I was glued to their swamp cooler while they worked.
Yeah, if the genset was missing you would have all that space available for a second set of batteries fed by a big alternator and solar panels. I just bought 245 watts of flexible panels for my RV.Owners of big diesel pushers are starting to carry portable generators because they are less expensive to own and maintain.
I employ this strategy and it isn't a panacea.I hate to name drop, but DEAN told me that onan/cummins doesn't even make the diesel generator. IIRC he said it was a European manufactured model that is rebadged to Onan. I asked pointedly about this because I am not a fan of propane generators either.
I wish the motorhome manufacturers would simply provide a bay to store either a Yamaha or Honda portable. They are much, much quieter, more efficient and less expensive. Here is a real eye opener. Owners of big diesel pushers are starting to carry portable generators because they are less expensive to own and maintain. But oh, those 10K diesel gensets on pull out front trays are sexy!
Thanks for your opinion! Others don't agree with your POV.I employ this strategy and it isn't a panacea.
I don't know anyone that has a diesel genset in their RV that uses portables
I have a propane genset and use portables a lot but if I had a diesel I would leave those babies at home.
There are facts and there are opinions - everyone has an opinion.Thanks for your opinion! Others don't agree with your POV.
I never said "all."Not all diesels are water cooled...not all propane or Petrol gennies are air cooled. Generalities are not always true.
5 5 kw lister diesel (air cooled) at 1800 rpm makes tons of noise, but less than my former 10 kw water cooled lister.
Icarus
Which genset are you referring to?Dave, this gensets interested me greatly. I see the big pushers open both bays to create a cross breeze, leave them under the coach and run them.
Not quieter than the Hondas... but pretty close. Considering they could power a small town and do not have the rv or marine markup, pretty cool.
I'd say purchase price as well as fuel efficiency go into the equation?
No idea. Just saw them in the parking lots around the country. Nice though.Which genset are you referring to?
UD
The "big" stuff is usually Powertech- and they are typically perkins or kubota with some isuzu and yanmar based stuff showing up.No idea. Just saw them in the parking lots around the country. Nice though.
They had standard, water cooled, large 15-20kw generators in the bays of some class A pushers. Standard industrial type with radiator mounted right on the engine.
Based on some discussions with a Leisure Van dealer, diesel was my choice. Just purchased our Serenity, and flying out Friday to take delivery and drive home 1250 miles. I think the Diesel gen set is overpriced, but worth the convenience of not burning through so much propane. We compared a Diesel generator vs. a propane unit in 2 different RV's parked side by side, noise level and odor, and found such a minimal difference.I am considering a Serenity. I figured the diesel gen set would make more sense because its drawing from the main fuel tank, and the burn rate of the little gen should only be about 1/4 gal per hour..rough estimate.
The specs I read also noted the leveler is not available with the diesel, but that's not a deal killer...I think.
For the propane, where is your tank located, and how do you fill it? Is it a stationary tank, or do you have to remove it, and walk it to the fill station?