Posted 2008-12-16 9:14 AM (#96147 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
We got a 500 gallon LP tank on a trailer that feeds two, 454 Chevrolet/Gorman Rupp 900gpm irrigation pumps..... You should see how frosty the regulators and the lower part of the tank gets on a hot summer day about the time it gets down to 15%!!
Posted 2008-12-16 10:36 AM (#96148 - in reply to #96145) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
For the week? 5 day week or a complete 7 day? If just a 5 day week then clearly there is something leaking on ya'lls system if you are going through that much lp in that short of time. As I stated before our 2 30lb bottles last a weekend with the a/c on 24/7 (late friday afternoon till sunday at lunch) with lp still left. But I did think ahead, my hauler bed has 4 large toolboxes built into the side and the front 2 boxes will hold a 20lb bottle in eash side so I had holddown brakets installed in the boxes so I can carry 2 extra 20lb bottles if needed.
I am trying to figure out why the Camping World in Denton, Texas would tell me something different than the one you used?
Posted 2008-12-16 12:13 PM (#96150 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Location: Central Arkansas
No clue, but not an issue for me any longer. It is long gone. I wish you luck with your propane generator. I can only tell you about my personal experience. I learned a big and expensive lesson. FYI, the Camping World in Denton, TX did check out my propane generator system! As did the one in OKC, and the one in Nashville.
Posted 2008-12-16 1:13 PM (#96151 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Location: Texas
Go with the propane, you are set up for it and you won't have any trouble- there are thousands out there that work great, cheaper to operate than gas, safer and much less maintenance because they burn so much cleaner, no carburetors to plug due to gas going bad, etc. If you know what you are doing you will never have one freeze up any more than your furnace would freeze up.
Posted 2008-12-16 1:27 PM (#96152 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Location: Texas
With respect to the transfer switch, the cost of the switch will depend somewhat on the size generator you go with, but they are not that expensive and readily available. Northern Tool caries several. If your trailer was pre-wired for a generator, and I'll bet it was, installation is not that difficult if you just follow the wiring instructions. The switch is the way to go, you will never regret it. There are mounting kits available to mount the generator on the hay rack, there again, not that expensive and bolt on simple. If you are mechanically inclined at all and have basic tools, you should be able to do this yourself. If the trailer is prewired, you and a helper can do this in a day easily.
Posted 2008-12-16 3:32 PM (#96155 - in reply to #96152) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Now this is the type of input I was looking for to begin with. Not that people has had propane freezing up. This has got me all decusted with getting a generator all together. I have had both and like the lp much better. The last "gas" generator was mounted in the back of a Sooner and we had carb trouble coming back from a trip and ended up with gas all over the back of the trailer. (really safe with 3 horses)
What and where would I look to see if my Sundowner is "pre wired" for the generator? There is no extra wiring in the mangers on rear tack. If I can't figure this mess out I am still thinking about that new Cummins Onan portable for a quick set up for now. And just set it on the truck bed.
Still would like to know what type of water heater one of the other posters used? (since they say it was not lp)
Posted 2008-12-16 3:52 PM (#96156 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Location: Central Arkansas
"Still would like to know what type of water heater one of the other posters used? (since they say it was not lp)"
I think you may be referring to when I had to take a shower in a friends trailer in OKC because my LP was froze up and the RV park was without power. They had an all electric LQ with a larger than average gasoline generator.
Posted 2008-12-16 4:20 PM (#96158 - in reply to #96155) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by hogtownboss on 2008-12-16 4:32 PM
Now this is the type of input I was looking for to begin with. Not that people has had propane freezing up. This has got me all decusted with getting a generator all together. I have had both and like the lp much better. The last "gas" generator was mounted in the back of a Sooner and we had carb trouble coming back from a trip and ended up with gas all over the back of the trailer. (really safe with 3 horses) What and where would I look to see if my Sundowner is "pre wired" for the generator? There is no extra wiring in the mangers on rear tack. If I can't figure this mess out I am still thinking about that new Cummins Onan portable for a quick set up for now. And just set it on the truck bed. Still would like to know what type of water heater one of the other posters used? (since they say it was not lp)
Always shut the gasoline off at the tank, burn all the gasoline out of the carb until the engine shuts itself off.... No gas sloshing in the carb bowl while bumping down the highway, no sticking needle valve and no leaking gasoline out to atmosphere.
boss.... You may check to see if that generator comes as a dual fuel... Gasoline or LP at the flip of a switch, use whatever is available.
Posted 2008-12-16 4:30 PM (#96160 - in reply to #96158) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
The guys here local say they can add something to the onan to be able to run either fuel in this new unit. I have no clue......
Still want the mounted unit, just don't have the funds for all the extras they say I might need. A few hundred on top of the actual generator price would not be bad ($300 to $500) but $1000 to $3000 plus, on top of the generator price is not doable right now! And with the better halfs trail challenges starting right after the first of the year I got to have this thing ready to go or I will never hear the end of it.........
Posted 2008-12-16 4:34 PM (#96161 - in reply to #96155) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Location: Texas
As to the question of whether the trailer is pre-wired, you should be able to give SD the vin and they should be able to give you the build out info. Running the power line from the tack to your breaker box shouldn't be a big issue, just get the appropriate size cord for you generator size. Look at your breaker box and see if there is any wiring diagram, should indicate where the transfer switch should be connected. Basically your generator and land power line connect to your transfer switch and it feeds your breaker box where your land line is now connected. Did you get all the original paperwork with the trailer? It should be in there. I think when SD puts out a trailer to be exhibited, they usually load them up, which is why I said it was probably prewired. They just didn't wire to the generator, since they did not know where you might want it mounted, tack, hay rack, etc. Hope this helps you. Don't settle for the portable out of frustration. There is nothing better than startting or stopping your generator from the comfort of your trailer.
Posted 2008-12-16 5:22 PM (#96162 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Location: Central Arkansas
"OK, so can you find out what type or brand of water heater it was?"
She has already traded that trailer and is now pulling a Duster LQ. But, I do know the LQ was a Cowboy Classic out of Springfield, MO. Maybe you could call them and ask which water heater they use in their all electric LQ's. They have had many name changes as they used to be SVM Freedom Creek, KWG, & Imperial.
Posted 2008-12-17 9:43 AM (#96189 - in reply to #96162) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
WOW, lucky for her to get to trade it off so fast..... I just seen that you used it in late Nov. so I was thinking it would be around so I could get the info.
Posted 2008-12-17 9:59 AM (#96190 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Location: Central Arkansas
Sorry, I did not clarify the exact year as it was not Nov 08 but Nov 06. I have not even had that trailer in my possesion for over a year now. If I still had it, I would cut you a heck of a deal on that propane generator!
"WOW, lucky for her to get to trade it off so fast..... I just seen that you used it in late Nov. so I was thinking it would be around so I could get the info. "
Posted 2008-12-17 1:16 PM (#96204 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Arizona, USA
I might be a bit late on this thread. I don't visit here regularly.
I retrofitted my rig with an LP generator last year. I did the installation myself. I installed a Generac brand 40LP Quietpac, rated @ 3.6kw. I also installed a transfer switch and pulled the wiring and installed the black pipe gas line. It was rather time consuming; it took me about 4 weekends (I take a lot of breaks & get distracted easily).
My generator is mounted up top on my hay rack, the only available place I had. It has a provided remote start which also required me to mount a battery box on the hay rack. I fabricated it myself.
I have a pretty well stocked shop and still had to buy some stuff (black pipe threader). I lifted it up top with the loader on the tractor.
Total into the project was about $1700-$1800.
It’s nice to just push a button inside and start the generator. I have had no freezing problems in the summer or the winter months. I live in Phoenix, AZ and just got back from a month in Idaho and Wyoming, and have seen most all extremes in temperature. I have not experienced any of the extreme LP gas consumption problems of some others, but I don’t run it 24/7.
I hope this will give some insight into your final decision.
Dean
Posted 2008-12-17 10:37 PM (#96216 - in reply to #96161) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
I called SD and they are sending me the build sheet this week. I found the breaker box (in the nose of the trailer) and there is a wiring diagram but I did not look close yet. I was waiting for more details (since I have no clue what I am doing)
No origianl paper work, YET. This was a bank repo. SD is sending me a copy of the paper work and I did find out that this thing has just about every option that SD offered in 2004. (everything but the generator, ramp, hayrack)
If I was going all the time, I would deal with the portable unit, but the better half goes most of the time with her friends and I have a list of stuff for them to do and check over when they go, I sure did not need to add the instructions for plugging in the portable unit and all of that and telling her that she would actually have to walk outside and start it!
That would go over like a turd in a punch bowel! lol
Posted 2008-12-18 7:15 AM (#96223 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335 Location: Decatur, Texas
I have the portable Honda 3000 inverter with the remote start on it. Even though the trailer has a built in generator, we usually haul the portable because it's so much quieter than the on-board. So if you had the Honda EU3000 you could add the remote start and never have to go outside to start or stop the generator.
Posted 2008-12-18 9:32 AM (#96228 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303 Location: Grapeland, Texas
I have an Onan LP generator mounted in the bed of my truck, the bottles are mounted right next to it. It has been wired so I can plug in the trailer on the side of the bed. It also has a plug so I have a remote start. So I just have to plug in two cords and I am ready to go. The exhaust is piped out the bottom of the bed and to the side of the truck. I have an extension for the remote start cord if I want to pull the truck out farther. Haven't had any problems with the exhaust or noise, it is pretty quiet.
Posted 2008-12-18 10:29 PM (#96255 - in reply to #96228) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
I thought about doing with our bed cause I can fit a 20lb LP bottle in each of my front tool boxes on the side of the bed. We have CM skirted hauler bed that is almost 10' long, but in the summer we haul hay and I can haul 50 square bales or 4 round bales on the truck alone. That is why I either need to wait and get the funds to install one on the trailer or just go with the portable so I can still use our bed in the hay season.
Posted 2008-12-25 10:14 PM (#96486 - in reply to #95857) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
Some camping friends of mine bought a LQ with a LP generator. We went camping for 4 days and they ran out of propane on the 3rd day. They had to drag the bottles out and drive about 45 min one way to get them filled. The thing was loud too. Alot louder than a Honda. It was checked out when they got back and everything was OK. They ended up selling it and the 2nd owners carry an extra propane tank just in case.
Posted 2008-12-27 3:47 PM (#96562 - in reply to #96486) Subject: RE: GENERATOR QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
The Exiss SS413 we had in 2000 had a 5-k Koler LP generator mounted in the rear tack and it was a little loud was not boxes in for some reason. But the trailer we just got out of had a Onan micro quiet LP and it was mounted under the gooseneck (not by my choice) and it was not very loud at all. But I would rather carry extra Lp bottles than extra 5 gallon gas cans! (too many smokers throwing cigs down around the camp or the road or trail) thank god I we don't smoke! I have seen how hard it is for a lady trying to fill a generator up with gas and see how good the trailer looks with gas running down the sideof the trailer.
GENERATOR QUESTION
