dnw64
Veteran Member
I haven't read all the responses but have a few comments on the video.
1. The guy obviously did not inform himself before setting up his system. I would never consider using a 250 gallon tank for a 17Kw genset. We have a 500 for our 20Kw and while we have not yet had an issue, I've been thinking maybe I should have put in a 1000. Main reason I didn't initially is that they charge you extra if you don't use the "expected" amount per year based on tank size.
2. His lack of understanding of the "usable capacity" of a propane tank is further revelation of his lack of research. The reason the last 20% is (mostly) unusable is because of evaporation. As you no doubt know, propane is stored as a liquid but used as a gas. That only happens as a result of evap, and evap is limited by the surface area. With a horizontal cylinder, when very "full" (80%) or low (20%) there is no longer enough surface area to evap sufficient volume of gaseous propane to provide combustion. Obviously those are starting points - if you have a 1000 gallon tank running a 6k genset you will be able to go considerably below the 20% level. There are charts that show evap rates.
3. The biggest advantage of propane (to me) that he didn't even mention, is that it doesn't go bad, and is easy to store in relatively large volumes. He talks about the fact you can't go down to the local gas station and buy a 5 gallon bucket of propane, but if there are widespread power outages the gas station will not be able to dispense anything. There's no way I'm going to store enough gas or diesel to last for a week of constant running and "hope" I need it. The occasion is going to be rare, and that fuel is likely going to sit for years. No thanks.
4. If you are in a potentially long-term power outage, DON'T run your genset 24/7! There's (likely) nothing you need that has to be on ALL THE TIME! Unless you have a medically life-threatening condition that requires power, in which case I suggest you have a few 1000 gallon tanks and a small genset that powers just the essentials...
Somewhat related to the conversation, our most recent genset purchase was a Cummins. Same model as in the video but 20Kw. One of the primary reasons for choosing it over the Generac and Kohler were its lower burn rate...
1. The guy obviously did not inform himself before setting up his system. I would never consider using a 250 gallon tank for a 17Kw genset. We have a 500 for our 20Kw and while we have not yet had an issue, I've been thinking maybe I should have put in a 1000. Main reason I didn't initially is that they charge you extra if you don't use the "expected" amount per year based on tank size.
2. His lack of understanding of the "usable capacity" of a propane tank is further revelation of his lack of research. The reason the last 20% is (mostly) unusable is because of evaporation. As you no doubt know, propane is stored as a liquid but used as a gas. That only happens as a result of evap, and evap is limited by the surface area. With a horizontal cylinder, when very "full" (80%) or low (20%) there is no longer enough surface area to evap sufficient volume of gaseous propane to provide combustion. Obviously those are starting points - if you have a 1000 gallon tank running a 6k genset you will be able to go considerably below the 20% level. There are charts that show evap rates.
3. The biggest advantage of propane (to me) that he didn't even mention, is that it doesn't go bad, and is easy to store in relatively large volumes. He talks about the fact you can't go down to the local gas station and buy a 5 gallon bucket of propane, but if there are widespread power outages the gas station will not be able to dispense anything. There's no way I'm going to store enough gas or diesel to last for a week of constant running and "hope" I need it. The occasion is going to be rare, and that fuel is likely going to sit for years. No thanks.
4. If you are in a potentially long-term power outage, DON'T run your genset 24/7! There's (likely) nothing you need that has to be on ALL THE TIME! Unless you have a medically life-threatening condition that requires power, in which case I suggest you have a few 1000 gallon tanks and a small genset that powers just the essentials...
Somewhat related to the conversation, our most recent genset purchase was a Cummins. Same model as in the video but 20Kw. One of the primary reasons for choosing it over the Generac and Kohler were its lower burn rate...
