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| Re: [GMCnet] Propane generator? [message #246537 is a reply to message #246389] |
Sun, 06 April 2014 09:27   |
Chris Tyler
Messages: 458
Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| Les Burt[1 |
wrote on Fri, 04 April 2014 15:19]In response to Chris,
The Onan genset is a constant RPM generator. A constant and stable 1800rpm is necessary to produce a stable 60Hz. The engine power output is determined by throttle setting which is controlled by the governor. As you increase electrical demand, it puts additional rotational load on the engine which would slow it down, but the governor opens the throttle to compensate and maintain 1800rpm. To describe exactly what limits power output of the Onan genset would require several paragraphs. Simply described, it is engine efficiency, energy content in the fuel, and the full throttle position of the carb. If you watch an Onan genset that has reached or exceeded it's max output, the governor will peg the throttle wide open and the engine RPM will drop and stay below 1800rpm. When the RPM drops, so does the voltage and the Hz, both of which need to be accurately maintained with a tight tolerance. Since propane has less energy than gasoline, the max engine output would be less, resulti
ng in less max Kw available from the genset.
Les Burt
Montreal
1975 Eleganza 26ft
A work in Progress
I agree with how it operates and have seen that that when overloaded. I also agree that propane has less heat energy per unit of wt. However, if the mixture and timing is optimised for propane and it runs at the same RPM, I would think the output would be equivilant.I dont recall the OEM propane gensets having a lower rated capacity but its been a long time ago. I didnt notice any functional difference, but didnt do a precise load test either.I do know that they would run a front and the rear [rotary compressors] simultaniously if you stabilized the load on the front AC then started the rear fan only, then AC.A gas genset would do the same, but both were probably on the edge of output.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Propane generator? [message #263772 is a reply to message #263771] |
Wed, 08 October 2014 11:25 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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If you want to know about propane conversions for generators, just google
it. Lots of stuff there. Onan used to sell conversion kits, I don't know if
they are still available though. I have installed several conversions, and
they run the same as gasoline. Might make a bit less power. I did a couple
of Onan Welders that were used indoors, and have worked on fork lifts that
run on it. Not new technology. Been around for a long time. Water cooled
engines use a water heated expansion regulator, air cooled engines just use
a regulator that looks like the one in the GMC propane tank system. I
think that George Beckman has a generator in his GMC that runs on propane.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403.
On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 11:56 AM, Steve Weinstock
wrote:
> Perfect !!
>
> The gasoline and exhaust odors give us pause about running the onan... we
> get a bit of exhaust odor in the rear bedroom.
>
> A dual fuel conversion sounds spot on.
>
> Anyone care to speculate about the required conversion kit for a 4K onan ??
>
> I'll try to get some identifying part numbers off the beast this weekend
> and then plan to call propanecarbs.
>
> Thanks !!
>
> Steve W
> 1973 23'
> Southern California
>
>
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| Re: Propane generator? [message #263776 is a reply to message #192928] |
Wed, 08 October 2014 12:58 |
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SteveW
Messages: 538
Registered: June 2005
Location: Southern California - Ora...
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Larry -
Hi Gene !!!
So... anyone interested in saving me a search or two ?? Where do I install a switch to turn off the Onan fuel pump whilst running on propane ??
Thanks !!
Steve W
1973 23'
Southern California
Steve W
1973 : 23'
Southern California
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