Propane gnenrator issue

matsonelite69 · 09-12-2010, 03:05 PM

Has anyone had any issues with there Onan Propane generators? I have a problem my generator will only run for a short period of time on my factory tanks. It also will use up a 40lb tank in about 9 hours. Is this normal? I have a 100lb tank I carry with me during the winter months its just real heavy when full of course. It acts like it starves itself for fuel when under load excpecially when the a/c is on. Has anyone dealy with this issue Iam the 2nd owner so I have no factory warranty except the extended and no help there either.

sje · 09-12-2010, 05:11 PM

propane is a liquid under pressure in your tanks. it needs to vaporize to be used on your generator. sometimes if the tank is to small or if weather conditions are cold. the propane could be slow to vaporize and cause problems. an easy check would be to run if off your big tank. I cant believe that the generator would use that much vapor so it would starve it but then it is running constantly, and the tanks are probably in the basement where no sun would help them to vaporize. just my 2cents. sje

matsonelite69 · 09-12-2010, 05:30 PM

Thanks for replying, the tanks are in the side compartment, they will show a large amount of frost on them only when they are low on propane. It will run fine on one of the 40lb tanks but will not on the other. I believe one of the tanks has a issue, I will swap it out and see, but according to what I have read today and upon talking to some other people the propane generators use alot of propane. Thanks for the info. Ronnie

Motor31 · 09-13-2010, 05:06 AM

A gallon an hour fuel use is not unusual for a propane generator. That is one of the main reasons we did not get one. The frost on the side of the tank is indicative of high flow rates as the decompression of the fuel as it vaporizes causes a rapid cooling effect. Letting it depressurize lowers the temperature and frost forms.

It sounds more like the switch over valve is not allowing full flow on the second tank and that is starving the gen set. Try flipping the valve over manually and see if that makes any difference on the generator

Huck · 09-13-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

It also will use up a 40lb tank in about 9 hours.

About a gallon an hour under load is normal.
A 40 lb. tank holds just over 9 gallons.

matsonelite69 · 09-13-2010, 11:53 AM

Huck are u talking about the switch over valve on the regulator for swapping from one tank to the other? I bought this rig second hand and the first owner ordered it with the generator, It had less than 15 hours on it when I purchased the rig and it has not worked properly ever, the shop put the most hours on it since I have had it and they still havent figured it out. BIG SURPRISE. We tailgated this weekend for the very first time and i also have a Honda generator that I will carry from now on. It will be more reliable and cheaper to run. Thank You. Ronnie

keithandpenne · 09-14-2010, 06:55 AM

You did not say what size the gen is. You might want to check the total load as you may be right on the edge of its max load capability, causing it to "stumble".

The plus side of a propane unit is that the fuel never "goes bad" like it can on a gas unit. They can become hard to start in cold weather and many of the larger units have the capability to be started on gas and switch over to propane once running.

**wingnut60** · 09-14-2010, 09:24 AM

We have the 5500 Onan Gold and it has never failed to start in cold weather and at high altitudes, but we only have about 30 hours total on it.
Have never run it long enough to empty a tank.
This is on an '05 also.
Have an Onan dealer check it out.
Joe

BillA · 09-14-2010, 05:14 PM

Do not quote me on this but as I recall you may be able to convert your generator to run on gasoline. If interested you could call Onan to confirm.

The View 5046 · 09-14-2010, 08:10 PM

I had a Onan 5500 and it will suck up a lot of Propane, For sure when your using the heating system. We no longer have the Onan, and I don't think I would spend the money when you can buy a Honda system which is much more efficent. This is just my opinion. GBY...

matsonelite69 · 09-14-2010, 10:14 PM

Its a 6500 Onan Gold, the original owner ordered it with the 6500, it specs for the 5500. it now has 180 hours on it and as i previously stated the shop put most of them on there attempting to fix it. I was told it had to small of a regulator on it and that they replaced it with a larger one, it still has the same symptoms. It just seems 80lbs of propane in 20 hours is alot for a that period of time when the gas and diesel generators around us ran for three solid days and the owners were happy. I also understand that you can convert it to gas but my question would then be where to install the tank?

**wingnut60** · 09-14-2010, 11:07 PM

Where are you located in the winter? Is the gen your only source of electricity?
Joe

Huck · 09-16-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

It just seems 80lbs of propane in 20 hours is alot for a that period of time when the gas and diesel generators around us ran for three solid days and the owners were happy.

Like I said, "this is normal for propane 5500 or a 6500 GOLD"

matsonelite69 · 09-20-2010, 04:55 PM

Wingnut, I live in the South, but I travel all over the Northeast for work, this was th efirst time we have ever tailgated and had to rely on the gen. I normally do not have to rely on it except for emergencies.This one is for Huck, Thank you, at least I know now that it will use alot more propane than I expected Thanks everyone for the info, You guys and gals are a great source of info. Take care.

Motor31 · 09-21-2010, 08:44 AM

Just an FYI. We dry camp normally a small portion of the year. For that time we use a Honda 2000. It handles everything except the air conditioners. Since we only dry camp in the winter that's not an issue. We also get better than 10 hours on a single fill up, about one gallon of gasoline since the gen set is normally just loafing on our load. (battery charging, tv and computer) The microwave will really kick in high gear but that's a temporary load. We also put the fridge and water heater on propane during those times.

matsonelite69 · 09-21-2010, 10:42 AM

Hey motor31, I have a Honda 3000, Its so heavy to carry around but from now on when we tailgate I will load it up, I allmost carried it the first time but due to the rush of gettin out the door I forgot to get it. I learned my lesson. Thanks for the info, you guys are great.