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Old 07-28-2011, 09:16 AM
 
Location: New Mexico
8,396 posts, read 9,419,138 times
Reputation: 4070

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I have a little getaway in the hills of New Mexico where I like to spend weekends and holidays. Power outages aren't frequent, but I like to be prepared just in case. Neighbors tend to use gasoline powered generators as backup. Not big rigs, but units that are in the 5-6kW output range.

I'm about to go that route myself. But in looking over the possibilities, a propane powered generator looks pretty good. It would run off those gas grill propane tanks, which would be easier/safer to store than 5 gal gasoline jugs. They'd burn cleaner and give off less in the way of fumes, too.

I'd like to hear from any of you who have experience with a propane generator, pro or con. And any recommendations on particular makes and models would be helpful, too. Thanks!
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Old 07-28-2011, 09:30 AM
 
Location: Minnysoda
10,659 posts, read 10,689,992 times
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2 different fuel sources with different charistics. Gas or diesel powered gensets start better in the cold (not sure if that's an issue for you) but more importantly they accept load fluctuations better than propane fired units Probably not an issue if your only running a few lights but if your trying to power a reefer and an a/c unit and lights I'm not sure a SMALL lp unit will ride through the load change....
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Old 07-28-2011, 09:59 AM
 
29,981 posts, read 42,825,880 times
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IIRC, Honda and Yamaha both make "Triple Fuel" generators so that you have flexibility to run with what fuel source is available.
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Old 07-28-2011, 10:14 AM
 
Location: New Mexico
8,396 posts, read 9,419,138 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by my54ford View Post
2 different fuel sources with different charistics. Gas or diesel powered gensets start better in the cold (not sure if that's an issue for you) but more importantly they accept load fluctuations better than propane fired units Probably not an issue if your only running a few lights but if your trying to power a reefer and an a/c unit and lights I'm not sure a SMALL lp unit will ride through the load change....

Thanks for that info. Cold isn't that big of a consideration in NM as it would be in the midwest. Typical winter lows are about 20 degrees there. No subzero weather like I've experienced in Iowa. And my guesstimate of total power in the cabin is about 5kW, so I'm thinking a 6kW with 7kW surge capability ought to do the job. Fact is, I'd probably never need a full 5kW and rarely go over 3kW. But I know enough to realize that reserve capacity is an important consideration.
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Old 07-28-2011, 10:15 AM
 
Location: New Mexico
8,396 posts, read 9,419,138 times
Reputation: 4070
Thumbs up thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by lifelongMOgal View Post
IIRC, Honda and Yamaha both make "Triple Fuel" generators so that you have flexibility to run with what fuel source is available.

Now that sounds like the way to go, if it's affordable. I'll be sure to look those up.
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