Propane powered generator?

[jjoerger]

Has anyone used or is currently using a propane powered generator?
Is it legal to carry a couple of 20 pound tanks through the tunnels and over the bridges?
From the research I've been doing it seems that a propane generator will run about as efficently as a gas model and it would be a lot easier and less sloppy to swap tanks vs. buying gas and pouring it into the fuel tank.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[greg334]

It is far better to get a gasoline generator, get a DOT gas container (I am told a type one safety can will work but I know of several who use the DOT approved 5 gallon 'jerry' cans) or in the case of a truck a DOT gas tank mounted on the truck than to mess with propane.

I have one propane/NG generator at my dads' which worked well enough for a while but started giving me problems and after replacing a few unique parts, it sits.

About tunnels, It depends on the tunnel, NY tunnels I am told NO but again they still let RVs through without too much trouble.

 

[RLENT]

I ran into a husband and wife team that was with Express 1 out in El Paso this summer. They had a very nice Sprinter with a rooftop AC unit and a underbody, frame-mounted propane generator.

Their biggest complaint was the limited runtimes with propane (don't recall exactly what size tank they were using, but it was permanently mounted under the body and was fairly good sized) ..... and the hassle of having to either find a place to refill it and/or having to move the vehicle to a filling station (as opposed to just walking over to the pumps with a gas can)

The guy said it was the one thing that he would do differently. The interior finish on their van was very, very nice .... done with finished cabinets, etc. Really a nice rig.

 

[LDB]

My dad had a motorhome for a while with a propane generator. Between the refrigerator, a/c, lights etc. it would use up a 20# tank in less than 2 days. I wouldn't consider propane based on his experience with it but other's mmv.

 

[chefdennis]

the Baltimore tunnels also say no propane takes, as do the PA tunnels...but as Greg said, RV's move freely through them.....

 

[jjoerger]

Thanks for the replies.
I will probably go with a frame mounted diesel generator and put a pick up in the fuel tank with an electric fuel pump.
I am not a big fan of paying $9000 for an APU.
I am planning on getting an espar D2 for my 70 inch sleeper, but I would like to be able to run some appliances and charge my batteries, maybe use the block heater when necessary.
Also, Dometic makes an underbunk A/C system that runs off 110Volts. But I hear it is pricey.