Generator fuel consumption

[rmorey]

Just got a new 14kW Generac Guardian generator set to LP fuel. I haven't had an opportunity to run it yet. Just curious if anyone had the same and what kind of fuel consumption I can expect. The dealer says its either on or off, but the book lists consumption or 1.85 gal @ 50% and 3.07 gal @ 100%. He just shrugged. Figured I'd ask the real experts. :thumbsup:

 

[s219]

Usually the manufacturer specs are right on the money from what I've seen. They test them pretty thoroughly.

 

[BHD]

most likely it sounds about right, on LP it may take a little more fuel, as there is less BTU Per gallon it may take up to 10% more as LP is only about 90% in BTU's of gasoline,

but most is the loading of the generator on the fuel it will use. I would guess that it would take at least a gallon to a 1 1/2 gallon just to run even with out load,

 

[kenmac]

I would say that the figures in the manufacture's manual, will be very close. I will also add that, these specs are for a new well tuned generator. As it gets older , out of tune, etc, it probably will use more fuel. I would try to keep the engine properly tuned to keep fuel usage as close to the manufacture specs. as possible

 

[/pine]

It's no different than anything else that runs on energy...the more you use the more fuel you will burn...
It's great to have a system on LP or natural gas...good luck with it...

 

[90cummins]

If Propane is perhaps $3.25 a gallon at 50% load it would cost $144 to operate 24 hours!

90cummins

 

[MossRoad]

If Propane is perhaps $3.25 a gallon at 50% load it would cost $144 to operate 24 hours!

90cummins

That's correct. If you're out of power for 10 days it'll cost you $1500.00 if you run it continually. A lot of folks don't realize that when they buy it.

 

[rmorey]

That's correct. If you're out of power for 10 days it'll cost you $1500.00 if you run it continually. A lot of folks don't realize that when they buy it.

We're off grid (solar) so, we seem to need to run about 1.5 - 2 hours per day from Dec 1 to Feb 1. (about 6 hours, every 3 days) The fuel cost is kind of irrelevant. Power, we were told, is $150k due south of us so...

 

[MossRoad]

Your case is much different than most folks around here. I was just telling my kid that was worried about getting stuck in the car in a snowstorm that in Indiana, you are rarely, if ever, less than a mile from a house, building, business, etc... It seems most folks around here purchase large generators to run their entire house during power outages, storms, etc... just for convenience, and they don't plan for how much that convenience will cost them, then are shocked when it consumes a couple hundred dollars worth of fuel in a few days after a storm.

 

[rmorey]

Your case is much different than most folks around here. I was just telling my kid that was worried about getting stuck in the car in a snowstorm that in Indiana, you are rarely, if ever, less than a mile from a house, building, business, etc... It seems most folks around here purchase large generators to run their entire house during power outages, storms, etc... just for convenience, and they don't plan for how much that convenience will cost them, then are shocked when it consumes a couple hundred dollars worth of fuel in a few days after a storm.

That's like roaming charges on your cellphone. Go somewhere and make a few calls. Come home and get killed with the bill! :shocked: