Predator 5000 Runtime on Propane (BBQ Tank). Results are SHOCKING!!!!
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- Testing the predator 5000 watt inverter generator at just under 50% load to see how long it will run on propane. The results are truly shocking and way beyond what I expected! I highly recommend the Predator 5000 from all my initial testing. Stay tuned for its 2nd oil change and hopefully less messy this time. 😬
If you have a Jackery or the equivalent, you can make your propane last even longer. It doesn't have to be one of those enormous ones that cost a fortune, just size it to run your fridge, internet, etc. for 6-8 hours. Run the generator a couple hours, recharge the Jackery, then shut the generator off and run on batteries for a while. It is a particularly good strategy for overnight, so you can bring the generator back into the garage while you are asleep. In an extended outage, portable generators running all night tend to grow legs and run away.
I totally agree with you! I recently bought a Bluetti ac200l ( I did a review of it on my channel hooked up to the house transfer switch - check it out). My plan is to use the battery power during the night for the fridge and a few essentials and then use the generator during the day to recharge the batteries and power larger loads.
Thanks for watching!
@@Outdoor_Prepper Charging the batteries with the generator isn't 100% efficient, but your generator is going to be most efficient in terms of watt hours per gallon of propane burned when it is running at roughly 80-100% of its rated load (not surge load). The eco mode helps reduce the waste at periods of low demand but it can only do so much. That means adding battery charging onto a 50% load and then turning the genset off for several hours is probably just about as efficient as you can ever be in the real world.
I have an Anker F2000 and extra battery pack. It will run my fridge and freezer for about 25 hours and takes less than 2 hours to charge back up on a generator. That seems like it should extend my fuel savings a lot. Haven't been through a long outage yet but have verified the charging and discharge rates.
Build a metal roofed mesh cage for the generator in advance so you can use it ion a long run emergency.
All welded 4 inch grid-square concrete reinforcing mesh panels allow airflow/exhaust flow but make a cage that is hard to break into.
Insulating the roof/cage from ground and using a remote-control electric stock fence unit attached to it should give thieves a thrill....
@@JohnSmith-pl2bk Does your cage also prevent vandalism? A would-be thief close enough to be deterred by a cage is also mean-spirited enough to wreck it if they can't steal it. "Gonna be that way about it? I'll show YOU!"
You just solved a huge worry for me. We live in our RV trailer here in Maine, where it gets cold. Now I know I can run my generator for days with my 100lb tank for our typical, inevitable outages. Thank you for sharing this.
@@busyend thanks for watching and I’m glad it was helpful!!
Yeah...days! Like two and a half days! 😂
Nice video!
I have a 8,500 watt generator, i have a 6 hour run time on propane and 7 hour run time on 3-gallon gas tank. I had to use it for a week couple of years back running 2 refrigerators, freezer, 3 computers, 2 tv, central air and the house has all led lights. I got the combo generator because when the electric goes out so do the gas stations, I keep 2 propane tanks and 6 10-gallon gas cans. One investment that I also did was get a fuel transfer pump, no more pouring from gas cans and the transfer pump has an auto shut off, so you don't over fill the tank.
one other thing I got was a manual oil extractor pump think it is 6.5 Liter, changing the oil is a real pain in my rear end and I also use it on my riding mower, worst place to have the drain plug right above a support beam.
I like that idea of taking the tank to get fill vs gas station or home depo, Thank you for that Idea!
Thanks for watching! I just bought a harbor freight transfer pump that’s battery operated and helps a lot with gasoline.
You ran a Central Air conditioner on an 8500 generator? What Make and Model was the Central Air conditioner? This I want for my house in Arizona! Thanks Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
@@keithnoneya OK it really is a Champion 9375 watt dual fuel ,
9375 starting watts/7500 running watts (gas)
8400 starting Watts/6750 running watts (lpg)
Electric Start
Model # 100165
I can Not run it with microwave and electric dryer, have to shut off A/C to run either or one of them. Furnace is new, a/c is a slightly older carrier. The electrical that put the connection on the side of the house showed me how to start it and explained what I could and could not run with a walk threw of the house. I purchased it from Amazon on the Amazon Prime day discount and back then it was about $850.00, price has gone up from way back then.
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@@Gyroxg3 Still running a home AC Central Air system on 9,300 is incredibly good. Most have a LRA Lock Rotor Amperage of around 12-18K Watts which would trip the circuit breaker on that Generator. That's why as asked what make and model of the Central Air Unit, cause I want ONE of them! We loose power a lot in AZ where the house is and we'll have to run a generator to cool the house when power goes off. Some AC units if they have a soft start module can drop some of the LRA down so that a manageable 15KW generator can run them if nothing else is on. To figure out what size generator you need to start an ac unit, find the LRA and multiply it by the voltage going into the unit. In example my old AC unit had a LRA of 110 amps so, 220vAC X 110amps = 24.2 KW generator to start it. A soft start system can bring that down to around 18KW. After that is has RLA Running Load Amperage of 20 amps so 220vac x 20 amps = 4.4 KW would run it once started. Thanks for the reply. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
Thanks for the demonstration. A quick tip that I picked up in the hardware and propane business, remove the plastic from the tank. That condensation will collect under the plastic and cause the tank to rust. Thanks again for the show!
Thank you for the tip I appreciate it and thanks for watching!
My 3500 watt propane generator, when I was powering the furnace, one of the two air handlers (forced air heat, so I need one to heat the house) Fridge and the chest freezer, the FIOS (internet, cable, and phone) wifi router, cordless phone base station, the charger for the stairlift (elderly parent), and some LED lights and recharging phones and laptop. This was in the wintertime, so furnace was running. 20 lb BBQ tank lasted about 12 hours. So two tanks per day. Propane doesn't go stale like gasoline, so I can store a few days worth of fuel with no issues. Basically I would buy another tank during the end of summer sales. I now have seven tanks on hand, so three days worth.
My town regulates propane storage, so I store the tanks outside, got a ten foot chain and a padlock and chain them to a tree. When I am running the generator, I move it out to the tree and chain it down to discourage theft.
Refilling tanks at a real propane dealer is a good thing. You get a full tank like you said. When your tanks go out of pressure test (ten years here in the US) they can't be refilled. Don't throw them away, take it to the propane swap dealer and trade it in for a partially filled one and just refill it at a real dealer.
I had a house fire, and was using the generator to power work lights in the hpuse for several months while we rebuilt. Ran it for several hours a day seven days a week until we got the power turned back on. Oil was still nice and clean. propane burns a lot cleaner than gasoline.
@@dalesql2969 thanks for watching and pretty good info for comparison!
I keep two 30 pound tanks stored outdoors outside the back of the garage. Obviously there are a few 20 pound tanks attached to the smoker, grill, space heater, etc that are for emergency backup.
@@jamesstuder5045 When I got the propane generator, I had a pair of 50 lb tanks off of a junked camping trailer I used. But they had expired when I went to refill them, so they needed to be pressure tested and inspected. The local propane dealers did not do that, and the cost of recertification was about the same a buying new tanks.
So I went and researched the cost of tanks. Small tanks, 100 lb or less, cost per pound of propane stored, the lowest cost was the 100 lb tanks, but a full 100 lb tank is something like 160 lbs when filled, and was too big to fit into the back seat of the small car I was driving at the time, and I really didn't want to be wrestling that tank around each time I went to refill it. The next lowest was buying many 20lb tanks, which were much easier to handle. Also a consideration is that a motor vehicle with more than 50 lbs of propane aboard is considered a hazardous material with all the legalities that entails. (drivers license, placards, restricted highway zones)
Going to larger tanks, thats into propane truck delivery dealer zone. For various reasons, that wasn't an option for me. you can own the tank and have it installed, or lease the tank and have it installed. Either one, as a practical matter, locks you into a particular local dealer for service and refills. If you use propane for heating, gas stove, generator, etc, then that is a viable option. If you are renting, or only want the propane for emergency use, the costs get uneconomical. So everyone has to find the solution that works best for them.
@@dalesql2969 if you OWN the tank you are NOT locked into a particular supplier. Also, owning the large tank will save you major money on the cost of the gas....as an example, to refill a 20lb cylinder it currently costs around $3.50 per gallon around here and we just got our 250 gal tank topped off for $1.90 per gal.
@@TheWingnut58 The problem is that many propane dealers will require the customer owned tank to the recertified before they will fill them. That cost varies, but it isn't cheap.
I have been interested in home backup power since 1983 so, thought I would add comments that haven't been mentioned. The Inverter Generator type is the best all-round portable choice for clean power, lightest weight, noise, and fuel consumption. The typical US kitchen refrigerator (18 - 20 cubit feet) consumes about 120 watts when it is running, startup power is 1,200 to 2,500 watts for 2 - 5 seconds. At room temperature, the compressor runs about 50% of the time and a defrost cycle occurs 1 to 3 times per day using a 600 to 720 watt heater that runs 5 to 20 minutes. For more of a worst-case figure, assume the frig will comsume 1.8 kWh per day.
All portable generator power output ratings are based upon resistive loads being connected, such as a heating element or incandescent light bulb. Resistive loads have a Power Factor of 1.0, which the generator likes best. Induction motors and electronic equipment can have a poor Power Factor, like 0.25 to 0.65. Poor Power Factor, consumes more of the generator's capacity. To determine the wattage the generator needs to deliver, divide the published wattage for the device by its measured power factor. For instance, using a 10 watt LED bulb that is not rated to be used with dimmers, these typically have a 0.5 Power Factor (10W ÷ 0.5 = 20 watts of generator power consumed). (The Power Factor can be measures using a KILL-A-WATT meter). Obviously this is not a big deal if you are just concerned about a few LED bulbs but, if you are trying to run a large motor (power tool, air compressor, or air conditioner), you may run into problems.
My experience with generators was in Florida and the Midwest. When experiencing a long term power outage where the power grid is down for miles around, you generally have to depend upon the fuel stash you have set aside until the power grid in your area starts to come back online. During these times, Gasoline will generally be easier to find than Propane..
Running a generator 24/7 consumes a lot of fuel so, any way to minimize daily consumption is very useful. Here are a few suggestions: have a small secondary generator that sips fuel for those times when power usage is light, a Solar Generator with at least 800 watts of solar panels (which is especially useful at night), and use secondary light sources at night (such as an LED camping lantern), with the generator turned off. Fire the generator back up every few hours to recharge batteries and cool off the frig. Obviously, your level of system refinement will have to do with your spending budget. And finally, trial your backup power preps over a weekend, which will quickly reveal problem areas.
Those are some excellent points and great feedback! I actually purchased a Bluetti ac200l solar generator and did a review of it hooked up to my transfer switch. Check it out on my channel. The plan would be to run the fridge and a few essentials during the night on battery power and then fire up the generator during the day to recharge the batteries and power larger items.
Thanks again for watching!
@@Outdoor_Prepper Thanks for your response, hopefully many will be benefitted by everyone's comments. Also, at the rate the country seems to be heading, we may use these backup measures a lot more than we planned.
The Bluetti was my first choice a few years ago but, there are so many "new players" now, only time will tell as to each manufacturer's reliability. But yes, although pricey (depending upon your budget), a gas generator and solar generator are a nice basic backup power system.
W3 used our propane generator for the first time last week during a power outage. Similar size, half load 8 hours straight. When I got it refilled, the guy said it still had 1/4 tank left! Our neighbors were happy as we all have wells and I was giving out water!
That’s great! Thanks for watching!
18 kWh is amazing, thank you for your time in making this video, it has me thinking now.
Thanks for watching!
We use our vehicles (with full tank of gas and plenty of oil) as our portable generators by connecting a 2500 or 3500 watt inverter to it. The inverters are a few hundred bucks at Harbor Freight, the cars run way quieter than noisy, fume- belching generators (better stealth) and we don't have to worry and fuss over the oil and fuel every 90 minutes. A set of long, heavy duty extension cords prevents any exposure to CO as long as the car is parked outside!
Thanks for watching!
I have a 5.7 Kw gas generator that I converted to propane for emergency use.
I have a 350 gallon propane tank at my cabin for the backup furnace, so it makes sense just to tap into that for the emergency generator fuel.
Now that these two reactors are built and I'm finally moving my motorcoach back to the cabin (finally retired), I'll just back feed the 50 amp 240 volt circuit I installed to be able to power the motorcoach off of the house while it's parked.
It's a 36 ft Class A diesel with a 7.5Kw Onan Quiet Diesel generator.
The motorcoach has a 90 gallon diesel tank for the Cummings 5.9 propulsion diesel, that's where the generator taps for fuel.
I dont know how long it'll run off 90 gallons, but a while 😊.
I installed a bypass switch at the coach's automatic transfer switch so that I can backfeed through the inlet line, basically bypassing the coach's automatic transfer switch so that the generator output goes into the inlet port for the power cord connected to the house.
I open the house panel main breaker and I'm back feeding my whole panel on both phases (the 50 amp 240 volt RV plug is utilized by an RV to provide two 50 amp 120 volt feeds) so I can put about 30A on both sides of the panel.
I've never run into bad enough weather up there where my four-wheel drive suburban can't get out.
I have a 55 gallon drum I can put on a cargo basket on the receiver hitch, and go to the station to get more diesel if I burn the 90 gallons up.
I have a 15 gpm fuel transfer pump that I got to polish the fuel (run the diesel through a 30 micron filter, then a 10 micron filter) before cranking the coach (the diesel was 3 years old and I was afraid of the HUM bugs [Hydrocarbon Utilizing Microbes] residue that now grow in low sulphur diesel and whose residue plugs filters, injectors, etc.).
I can just drop the suction line into the barrel and pump it all into the RV pretty quick.
That seemed a lot easier than what I was going to do, which was to use my Prius as an emergency generator by tapping the traction battery to power a 480v VFD programmed for 120v 60Hz.
There's lots of ways to supply emergency power if you need it, you just have to be a little inventive.
Have a Good Day 👋
👽
That’s a pretty good setup! Thanks for watching!
Quite the DIY!
Brilliant backfeeding your class A just like using a tractor as a generator!
No they don't fill propane tanks to the top. Tanks can only be filled to 80%,, the other 20% is left for expansion, since propane expands in the heat.
Thanks for watching - this tank was filled to max capacity ( agree 80% where the OPD kicks off). The “exchange tanks” are filled even less unfortunately
If you fill tanks completely on a cool day, they will vent gas when the temps warm up. Keep tanks vented AND cool.
@@EdExTechurthanks for the tip!
I have this same generator and I'm very pleased. The auto throttle drops the RPM when the load drops to save fuel and wear. I only run on propane because you can store it practically forever.
Thanks for watching and I agree with all your points!
Most tractor supplies have a propane fill station. They’re also happen to be the cheapest.
@@TexasScout Thanks for Watching! Unfortunately there are no tractor supply stores near me :(
BJs Wholesale club has great pricing as well
A couple or three points:
-Load was constant/consistent. Eco Mode was available, yet not used. This translates to wasted overhead as the generator inverter circuitry would continuously adjust the RPM of the engine based on the load requirements.
- Second point that many reviewers overlook/omit is that many of the small to medium generators have the ability to use a parallel kit with a second same brand/model generator. I can use my two A-iPower SUA2300i paralleled which will carry the start up surge of a portable air conditioner-- actually two as long as the startup of both is non- concurrent.
-Buying two smaller generators allows for several things:
-Easy on the budget...Don't have to buy both at once...additional generator can be purchased as needed.
-Can be paralleled. A-iPower gives you a *FREE* parallel kit!!!
-Eco Mode, even when paralleled absolutely sips the gas considering that each engine displacement is only 79cc.
-Redundancy. If one generator fails, you've still got a second for powering only the most critical items. Remember the saying, "Two is One!...One is NONE!!!"
-Weight: I can more easily lift and move a 50 Lb. generator (or two) than one single 75-100 Lb. generator.
-Maintenance: I can easily lift the generator onto a table, tip it up, drain out the oil and replace it, probably in about 5 minutes or so!!!
PS--don't forget to replace the cheapo plastic OEM oil plug with a nicely machined aluminum oil plug with a neodymium in it!!!--captures all those nasty iron particles created during the "break-in" period!!!
Those are some good points! Thanks for watching!
One thing I want to point out if folks don't know, it makes a big difference WHERE you get your propane. If you go to a hardware or other place with those exchange tank deals be aware that for safety they ONLY fill the tanks 75%. I started going to a farm supply place and they fill it full and my BBQ lasts way longer between refilling.
@@bailey9r I totally agree! It’s way better to have it filled than exchange it! Thanks for watching!
All propane tanks are filled no more than 80%, room is left for expansion. If filled completely up there is a high chance of the tank rupturing.
Thanks for your time kind Gentleman 👍
Thank you and thanks for watching
Remember that a generator is totally inefficient if run at zero load! Use the generator at no less than 50% load. When running a generator charge everything! -phones, tablets, powerbanks, torches, laptops, walkie-talkies -EVERYTHING.
Propane and butane cylinders should be filled by weight, use bathroom scales to determine the gas content. If your cylinder will be refilled then write the empty weight on the cylinder, otherwise you will have to read the small markings on the metal label every time.
Thanks for that info and thanks for watching!
a normal generator runs at 3600rpm for the sine wave, but an inverter genny can run at 1800 rpm and ramp up for more power. So save more GAS. Load is the question.
@@davidholm980 thanks for watching!
some key numbers to remember: ~4.5 gallons propane in a 20 lb tank. Each gallon supplies ~91,500 BTU per gallon. 1 KW =3412 BTU, so ~1500 watts = ~5000 BTU.
So a full 20lb tank can supply ~412,000 BTUs. Therefore A full 20lb tank can supply about 120 KW.
But those numbers are at 100% efficiency to convert propane BTUs to watts! The efficiency depends converting fuel energy BTUs into mechanical energy to turn the generator and then to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
A lot of factors go into this. These are energy losses due to friction. Heat losses in the generator windings, etc. The design of the generator itself, load changes, etc
To make things a bit more confusing, Generators are rated in KW, so that rating has efficiencies built into the rating.
So you are probably thinking, "that's all great, but how do I estimate my fuel usage?"
A couple more interesting points before I get to that. Turns out that a propane generator of around 5KW is actually surprisingly efficient. I have created some "fudge factor" numbers that will get you pretty close for a propane generator in this size range. But you can run your own experiments to refine this.
Take the tank capacity of 120,000 BTUs and divide by 5000 watts. (that's the hourly rate you are using at a 1500 watt load) That will give you 24 hours with no losses. So here's where the fudge factor comes into play. For this size generator and that approximate loading, a "fudge factor" of 50-60% will apply for an estimate. 24 hours times 0.5 will give you 12 hours. And 24 hours times 0.6 gives you 14.4 hours. In my experiments, this has been pretty accurate for a relatively steady load of 1500 watts,
BTW, your estimate of around 1500 watts as a good average conservative load, is a pretty realistic number. Obviously, on emergency power you want to use power conservatively! It's not rocket science, just common sense!
As you point out, a refrigerator doesn't really use much power, which is why these "super duper" "Solar generator" ads are very deceptive!! Modern refrigerators are very efficient at keeping food cold. A closed freezer with no power at all, will not warm up very much at all. That frozen mass can usually go a full day or more without thawing. But as a marketing tool, scaring people into thinking all their food will spoil quickly, sells pretty low output devices for big bucks! Even in the old fashioned, "ice boxes", a 50lb block of ice could last 2 or 3 days and these had next to no insulation!
Nice thing about these small propane generators is not having to mess with gasoline storage! Propane doesn't go stale. It burns very clean in a propane engine. Almost no maintenance needed as carbs don't gum up. Turn the propane on and these start very quickly and run smoothly. These things are just very reliable. Stay away from dual fuel as they don't buy you much and have the gasoline issues. You can get a 30lb tank that will give you even more run time.
You can find good deals on these because they don't seem to move as fast as gasoline generators. I bought a couple of these, new in the box for $199 ea, from a "big lots" type store that deals in close outs and over stocks. Came with a nice rolling cart with a shelf for a 20 or 30lb tank, electric start and nice heavy duty cords. I found the same units listing for as much as $799! So shop around! They're well built and work flawlessly.
One last thing, if you buy a "Kill-a-Watt" plug in meter, it can be very useful for experimenting to determine fuel usage.
I have bigger gasoline generators too, living out in the boonies, but these are so quick and easy to set up it's hard to beat them!
You raised alot of excellent points! Thank for watching!
I have this same generator. It runs on both gasoline and propane. It's incredibly quiet. I bought it to replace a junkerac GP5500 that has been a total disappointment. I also have a Westinghouse portable generator 3500 Watt. It's been really good. I have decided to use the Predator 5000 at my off-grid property because I hate making a lot of noise up there. I really don't care about the noise at home. I will say that this Predator was so quiet I couldn't hear it running from inside the house over the sound of my neighbor's generator over 100 feet and a privacy fence away. Very happy so far.
@@paule4696thanks for watching!
@@paule4696 Mine is a different manufacturer, but it's propane only. The dual fuel sounds nice but gasoline can gum up the carb. Stick with propane and you'll be fine.
I’ve been wanting to do this test with my generator. Only difference is just shut power off, hook up the generator and run my house as normal minus the AC and electric dryer and see how long it goes. Great video.
Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful!
my 10 cubic foot fridge uses between 60-70 watts while it's running according to my wattage meter. It's an energy star model, so thats why I bought that one. My 240 volt split phase inverter/ mppt charge controller which powers my house agrees when I log in to check my solar yield, battery SOC, and current usage. Even The fridge at my old house was a regular average sized whirlpool fridge, it used about 100 watts, Idk where people get the estimate of 700 watts. It may spike to that with the inrush current of the compressor starting, but that's only momentary, after that I can't see the wattage being much more than 100 for a modern fridge, unless your using a 1950's vintage fridge that is invincible. I may consider adding a generator like that to my setup If my solar panels can't keep up with power usage this winter if it's cloudy for a month straight, We'll see. I just got another 4000 watts of panels that im going to set up to total with my existing ones to be just over 8000 watts for the short and cloudy days, so I'm pretty sure it'll be enough, might be overkill. in the summer 4000 watts is plenty for me, even on an overcast day i get 1/5 - 1/2 of the power depending on how thick the clouds are. plus I have a battery bank that stores 28 KWH of power, I struggle to make a dent in the SOC overnight and its full again by mid morning. Feels good to be totally off grid in a remote home.
Thanks for watching!
After having experienced running generators on propane I don't think I'll ever run them on gasoline again. It is more expensive to run on the little tanks but it's so nice to never have to worry about a clogged carburetor gasoline going bad gasoline smell leaks etc.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching!!
We just had a hurricane and lost power for 4 days. My 7500 watt generator, using about 3500Watts average, cost about $40 a day to run, two 6.5 gallon tank fulls. My neighbors propane, using about the same wattage cost him about $60 a day usage. Talking to other neighbors, this was about the norm. My neighbors daughter, having a full house generator on natural gas, was costing her about $125 a day.
Thanks for watching!
I just found you and this is great stuff. I subscribed. Thank you for covering this!
Awesome, thank you!
I'd like to add a different perspective. Propane has lots of advantages, but gasoline is cheaper, more readily available, and running a generator on gasoline produces more power.
A few weeks ago, we had 5 tornadoes come through our area. Power was out through a wide area for one to 7 days depending on specific location. We were out for 53 hours. I have a Predator 3500 inverter generator. The specs say it will run 11 hours at 25% load on a tank of gas, 2.6 gallons. We got through 51 hours on about 7.5 gallons or around 3 tank fulls. So we did better than the specs. We were running a fridge, sump pump, occasionally a microwave, a computer, some LED lights, and charging for mobile devices and portable LED lights.
I would point out the generator is about 6 years old. The gas in the tank and the other gas stored in plastic cans was also 5 to 6 years old, all mixed with Stabyl. It started on the first pull and ran nearly flawlessly. The battery died years ago and I didn't replace it because the generator starts so easily with the pull starter. I know what people here on YT say about storing gas, but that has not been my experience.
This is very interesting, and helpful.
My 79 y/o Dad has a gasoline inverter generator, and has only used it a few times through the years during emergencies. I've been thinking about changing it out.
I may do a thorough check on it now and go back with the same if I swap it out. Thank you.
Was your stored gasoline non-ethanol, or standard E10? And where did you have it, and your generator, stored? Just curious...thank you.
That’s some great info and I’m happy hear the predator worked flawlessly! Thanks for watching!
@@berettaguy7445 It was standard pump gas. I'm sure it had some ethanol, but they use less in the winter and more in the summer so I don't know the percentage. In addition to the Stabyl, I buy the premium Shell gas. The gas was stored in 5-gallon plastic cans in a regular garage. The generator was in the same garage. I do try to get it out and run it 15 - 20 minutes every 3 to 4 months, The manufacturer requires that to maintain the warranty, but that has long since expired.
@@BryanTorok Thanks for the response. I store about 20 gals of non-ethanol (with Sta-bil) for generator use during emergencies. I always get fresh gas every 6 months, but it sounds like I could do it yearly without any problems.
My 3500 ran for 16 Hours during a ham radio field day test.i was more than pleased and while a house would pull more,, then I could live with it. ,literally!!!!
@@polishpicl that’s awesome and great to know! That’s for watching!
How was the RFI from your generator? Thanks.
@@keithmurray7493 it was zero......we had 4 hf radios running 24 hours for field day..no noise
It sure would be cool if you had had the propane bottle on a scale while your test was running. Nice video, and you answered a huge question for us. It would also have been interesting to hook up to your transfer switch and run the generator under a real, and variable, load.
Thanks for watching and those are excellent points - if I redo the test on gasoline I’ll hook up to the transfer switch
That's a pretty honest test for a small generator on propane. You lose about 25 percent power, and the upside is cleaner burning and longer engine life. The downside is more fuel consumption and excess ability in certain areas.
Thanks for watching!
I like how quiet that generator is. I think it would power my RV fine.
Thanks for watching! It would be great for an RV and has a tt-30 plug!
Nice! I need to test my Firman 7500 on LP also. I started a test, but after about 2 hrs the 20 lb tank froze up (even though ambient was about 60 degrees) no more gas would flow. Remember this if you buy more tanks....go 30 lb or larger, they will not freeze up.
Using the exhaust to warm the tank doesn't sound like a good idea to me.
@@Robnord1 thanks for watching!
No problems with exhaust gases wafting past the tank...or even the heated "cooling" air off the motor..
The tank just needs some heat to soak up to prevent freezing.
I have played a gas torch directly on the cylinder to combat the 1/4 inch of ice that built up on a damp spring day....instant increase in gas produced.
You can also sit the whole tank in a bath of hot water...same deal...
@@JohnSmith-pl2bk thanks for the tip and thanks for watching!
I had a similar generator during beryl , ran right under 8 hours , one 5000 btu a/c , 2 box fans , 2 lights , fridge was on 6 hours during the night and we didn’t open it during the day . I froze six 1 gallons jugs before the storm for dispersing in the fridge to keep it cold .
That’s great information! Thanks for watching!
What I’ve found out in Houston during hurricane Baryl is propane sells quick , I was able to resupply once more but was unsuccessful for 3 consecutive days after of scoring any tanks . Why people buy propane tanks are usually not for generators but for outdoor grills , the electric oven in the house has no use during the outage .If your capable of siphoning off your vehicle and keeping 2 five gallon tanks on hand would be my recommendation.
Thank you!
Definitely helpful! Thank you for doing the test
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the info. My Honda EU2000 can run this wattage on 1 gallon of gas for 10 hours.
This makes sense due to your generator having a bigger engine.
The EU2000 is still more efficient with 1 gallon of gas costing about 4 bucks.
The 20lb propane tank costs more.
Honda absolutely makes a great generator! Just a little pricey. Thanks for watching!
I had a commercial site with a propane fueled generator. Once in the winter the power went off and generator started . Temperature was 5 below degrees C after a few hours the generator started coughing and spitting . I checked the system and the regulator was a large ball of ice. I dug around in the barn and found a box of 12” flexible ac duct. So I duct taped it to the grill so the radiator heat could blow on the regulator. In about 15 minutes the ice melted off and the generator settled down for the rest of the power outage.
@@franksprecisionguesswork501 thanks for watching! That’s very helpful info to know!!
Dual fuel would be nice, but I don't really need, but I'm really impressed with how quiet that thing is😮
@@nigozeroichi2501 Thanks for watching! Definitely impressed with how quiet it is
I like dual fuel so for short term needs, propane can be used without concern about draining it and purging all the gasoline for long term storage each time.
For extended outages or use, then switch to gas for economy and full output. But after that's done, all the gas should be fully drained and cleared out unless it's anticipated to be needed again within a couple weeks.
You can calculate the efficiency of the generator. A pound of propane has about 21,580 BTU of energy. A load of 1500 watts for an hour equals 5118 BTU. If the generator were 100% efficient it would run for about 74 hours on a 20 pound tank. Your actual run time divided by 84 would be approximately the efficiency of the generator. It seems to be a bit more than 15%. Not sure if that is good or bad.
Thanks for watching!!
I use Yamaha inverter generators. The EF4500iSE's fuel tank, boasting 4.5 gallons, allows it to operate for up to 15.2 hours with a full tank (with an estimated fuel consumption of 0.3 GPH).
Thanks for watching!
Great video, I was wondering how long the predator would run on propane.
I bought a Firman wh03242 from Costco that has 3,750 start up Watts on propane add 3,000 running Watts on propane.
On gasoline it has 4000 starting watts and 3200 running Watts.
Per your video you got 6 hours per 10 lb of propane , running my generator on propane not on eco mode running the air conditioning and charging the batteries on the rv using a 30 lb propane tank , it ran for 22 hours . I bought it on sale for $599 .
I did not look to see what it was drawing for wattage more amps. It only has one rooftop air conditioner on it.
Thought I'd share that just for comparison in case anyone was interested thank you for sharing your video.
Thanks for Watching! That’s good to know for comparison!
would have been neat to see the tank sitting on a scale to see consumption in real time / time laps. considering converting my whole house generator to propane. storing gasoline is a pain.
Thanks for watching and good idea! If I do a follow up I’ll use a scale
I appreciate videos like this. However, it is unfortunate we never knew how much propane was used. A weight test of the tank before and after would have been great. In my part of the country the standard supplier is now putting 15 lbs of propane in the 20 lb tank. A very big difference indeed.
Thanks for watching! As indicated in video I don’t use the propane exchanges as they put less than the tank can safely hold. I go to an independent propane filler and they fill it to the capacity ( where OPD will allow) while safely leaving room for expansion. Will use a scale if I do it again to show capacity
@@Outdoor_Prepper Thank you,
Good Video. I've Often Wondered What Kind Of Real Time Numbers You Would Get Compared To Generator Manufacturer's Claims. Thank You.
Glad it was helpful!
I just got a similar size generator and decided on the 40 Pound tanks. I get them filled locally and they fit upright just behind that seat to transport home. I just ordered a 2nd 40 pound tank so I will be prepared for two days non stop or four days 12 hours a day.
That’s a great tip! Thanks for watching!
I have a backup for emergency only and have a 3000 watt diesel generator It will run 5 days on 5 gallons of fuel roughly and sized for emergency use only not comfort. I use it for well pump, refrigerator and cut off hot water heater and all large hvac units and run a small ac unit and close off house to utilize smaller spaces for comfort. We have gas heat and fans will work and use gas cook top. The power if out for months or year if disasters hit I have vegetable oil mix that could take care of home for years and parts to repair generator if needed. I would convert lithium battery's and solor form shed if it got to this point to charge battery by generator and sun if it becomes a crisis so not to kill generator running for so many months or years if it come down to this point.
I'm curious. What generator do you have.
Thanks for Watching! What generator do you use?
I am curious as well
I have a 1970's 3000 watt 120 volt Onan air cooled diesel gen set built on a 20 gallon fuel skid. Next to it is an Onan RV7500 diesel gen 120/240 volt set on a 40 gallon fuel tank base. Both are bolted to the shop floor on Chevy transmission rubber mounts so they stay put in an earthquake. I run them at part load for 20-30 minutes once a month.
They are noisy, the stink of diesel exhaust finds its way into the house if the wind changes. 2 years ago I installed a large battery power console with solar input. 3600 amp hours 46,000 watt hours. Either gen set can recharge the battery bank. That is the way to go....rig for silent running. The battery bank/inverter charger runs 2 house fridges and 3 chest freezers 24/7. Solar input is questionable in Winter with short days and low sun angle, stormy days for a week plus. I run the 7500 diesel for a few hours every 5 days to charge batteries if needed.
Here's that Onan 7500 getting prepared as a Bomb Cyclone was headed to NorCal a few years ago. We lost power for 18 hours but went on batteries.... ruclips.net/video/T6B_bFc4rkA/видео.html I like that HFT propane dual fuel gen set. I also have a Power Horse 7500 watt inverter gen set that is very quiet but it is gasoline only.
One of the common complaints about propane generators is that they don't get as much run time out of a tank. We have a 125 gal bottle, which our supplier wants to hook up another bottle for a new whole house generator. Assuming they fill to 80%, you have around 100 gal give or take. A small generator (1/3 size of a whole house) ran for 12 hours on 20# fuel (5 gal) means we should get 12 hours on 60# of fuel (probably a bit better I am guessing), And that will mean the burn rate is 30 gal / day or about 3 days and 8 hours of run time on 100 gal of fuel. In a typical rural setting like ours, I think that's acceptable. If I were running at a cabin, remote site, probably would want more. The larger propane tanks are very pricey these days, which is why some folks are converting to Diesel.
Commercial suppliers cannot BY LAW fill your tank more than 80% due to expansion inside the tank. At least, that's what they told me.
Some good points! Thanks for watching!
Just so you know, the propane Buddy heater will run off that 20lb tank on 9,000 BTU for 90 hrs and at 18,000 BTU for 40 plus hrs. In a pinch you dont have to heat the whole house , you can heat one common room unless its well below freezing and water lines need some protection. I have several buddys and a Big Buddy but ony need the 9'000 BTU low setting . One of the best investments ever 250 tank and half dozen 20 pounders and a couple dozen 1lb bottles that I refill myself with one of the 20lb as a donor tank ( for 80 cent a bottle ) everything propane that makes sense. Gasoline can be a problem for many reasons and not stable and or safe to store as is propane.200 watt solar package is a must. Then the wood pile and barrels of charcoal and outdoor cooking and canning station .......with enough rounds to protect this treasure .......
Because it is !
Those are some great points! Thanks for watching!
12 Hours @ 1.5 KW = 18KWH generated on 20lbs Propane or 1.1 LB. propane per KWH or approx. .28 GPH at 42% of 3.6KWH full load on propane. That would equal about $.52 per KWH with propane @ $2.80 gallon. Interesting, I have a low-hours used 10KW 1,800RPM liquid-cooled propane generator and a dedicated 300-gallon tank (240 gallons usable) I will be installing this fall at my rural home, so this math is very interesting for me. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
I ran my 5000 during a power outage in Houston, window unit 8kw, TV, Frig , ran for about 10 hours on a reg blue rino tank, 12 hours on a full tank of gas
That’s good to see runtimes are similar! Thanks for watching!
My solar setup at home has a large battery bank and the inverter has a generator input.. This allows me to charge the batteries while running the generator so during low use times while the generator is running it will pass all that unused power to the batteries.. I can then run off the batteries and use solar to give the generator a rest..
That’s a great setup! Thanks for watching!
If the generator does not have an oil filter you have to change the oil every 24 hours. The last price of a a 20lb tank of propane at one of these propane dealers on a refill is about $34. If you have to run the generator for 24 hours you are looking at $76 dollars per day.
About 3 months ago we had several tornados knocked out power here in Houston, Texas to 2.3 million people. Our power was out for 6 days. We have a Generac natural gas whole house generator. It came on and run for 6 days straight. I did shut it down every other day to check the oil and started it back up. After the 6 days I went out and changed the oil filter and 2 quarts of 5W-30W pure synthetic oil. About a month later we had a hurricane and the generator ran for another 3 days 24/7.
When we got our natural gas bill we subtracted our normal usage and it cost us $24.00 per day for natural gas. I do own a 7kw Onan gasoline generator but I got tired of having to store gasoline not knowing if I was ever going to use it. This is why I had a Generac 20kw whole house generator installed.
I talked to the company that installed our generator. It is not the first of September 2024 and they told me they are backed up on installing generators to January 2025. We had over 45 people die of heat related events during this time.
@@dhansel4835 Thanks for Watching! Where I live a propane refill is $20. It’s actually cheaper for me to have it refilled then one of the 75% capacity exchange tanks at the big box stores
@@Outdoor_Prepper @dehansel4835 is saying that if the natural gas utility is operational, the fuel is about 33% the price of propane and presents no fuel storage complications.
Our local North Texas Ace Hardware refills from empty are $16.
My area of SC, just got several 20 lb tanks, actually filled, only $12.00 per tank.
@@Outdoor_Prepper I use ethanol-free gas. Way more energy in gas than propane and it's much easier to fill a gas can than a propane tank.
I'm amazed that you didn't weigh the tank before the test and also the weight of the tank when you finished the test. Propane is sold by the pound. That would tell us exactly how much fuel it took for the run time, which is the biggest reason for the test.
I’ll weigh it next time but at least we know a full tank lasted 12 hrs. Thx for watching!
Im looking at this and a size up inverter generator. Plan to connect it to my bulk propane system. Seeing how they perform is important to me. I have 2 gas generators one is a 2500 watt inverter by General and I really like it. They make one this size and a larger size. Im still interested in the Predator series tho
Bulk propane system would be great for a much longer runtime! Thanks for watching!
There is an RPM and power output that is most efficient for the generator. A good unit will have an eco mode to lower RPM when there is a lower load. However at lower RPMs the generator is less efficient. That is you are getting less power per unit of fuel.
Those "solar generators", that are actually battery + inverter + charger, can let you get more out of your fuel. You run a heater or air conditioner while charging the batteries. A good high capacity battery can keep your fridge, and other electronics running for over 24 hours, so you can just run the heater / air for a few hours of generator time a day and get about a week on your fuel. Solar can add to your power, at about Watt hours = ~4x solar panel rated power, so 400 Watts of solar will get you about 1.6 KWh on a clear day. So about enough to run most fridges.
A generator is loud, and you can have power without noise at night. Hearing clearly at night can be important for the safety of your family, as there are opportunists.
Those are good points and I also own a Bluetti ac200l which I plan to use at night. I have a video up of it hooked up to my transfer switch and will do a follow up with the predator charging it back up. Thanks for watching.
I have a 6250/5,000 gas generator. When I tested my generator I put it under the heaviest every day use I could. I was drawing 3,500 to 4,300 watts. I got 14 hours on 4.3 gallons. That little heater isn't putting enough load on it to get it off idle.
I’ll try a larger load next time. Thanks for watching!
So wise , Thank You .A fine test , Good Job
Thanks for watching and I’m glad it helped!
Thanks OP!
Any time!
I agree with you regarding getting your tanks refilled rather than exchanging the tanks. I have a Tri-fuel generator and I purchased a couple of 30 lb tanks specifically for use with my generator. I got them at my local Ace Hardware. That is where I get my tanks regfilled, if you are getting two or more tanks refilled they charge you by the gallon rather than what you pay with an exchange. I also bought a couple empty 20 lb tanks at my local CostCo for use on my griddle. These tanks have a guage on them which makes it easier to see when they are almost empty. Luckily electrical power is farly stable where I live so I haven't really been able to do a real test of the generator. I suppose I should test it out before I really have to use it for real.
I actually thought a 30lb tank with a gauge as well for that exact same reason. Thanks for watching!
@@Outdoor_Prepper Sorry I wasn't clear it was the 20 lb tanks from CostCo that has the gauges. But I suppose if I used a 20 lb tank with the gauge I could estimate how long the 30 lb tank would last. But just like with your test it would depend on the overal load on the generator.
At 2200 watt ~demand using 5500/8500 gas converted to propane Brigs/Stratton generator, I can do 5-7 hours on a tank(80% filled). Tested on 2.5 day loss of power.
Thanks for watching!
I agree that the exchange cylinders are not filled to cap (80%). But, I take my expired tank cylinders and exchange for one that is good for another 10+ years for only $25 or whatever the exchange rate is.. I get a newer cylinder, I get some propane in it, then I just refill it until it expires!
@@mitchf1508 thanks for watching!
I had an Onan 4000kw generator in my camper, and it would go through 30 gal propane in ~6 - 8 hrs, running AC and few lights, battery charging
Thanks for watching! The predator should get you better fuel economy for sure.
Well, even at $10 a refill (my area) that is still $20 a day for power for a very light load. $40 a day minimum for a sustained 3000w load that would be more likely for a normal house. For an emergency use I guess that's not bad. But not something to use beyond for emergencies. Not for regular use for an RV unless used very sparingly.
Thanks for watching! My plan is basically emergency use
If the tank is 100% full then YOU MUST store it outside in a well ventilated area because any change in the ambient conditions could change the tank pressure and discharge gas within the garage or house.. be extremely careful with 100% full tanks
Good point and thanks for watching!
20lb tank refill to FULL is $17 at my wife's Ace Hardware. That's about $1.40 an hour of run.
$17 is currently 6 gallons of gasoline ($2.55/gal) for me or 4 gallons for most of the nation.
How long does it run per gallon for comparison. Propane is much neater than pouring gasoline, but gasoline is easier to get in an outage.
Thanks for watching! It ran 12 hours almost on the dot on a full tank, filled at an independent propane refiller
I always start mine in eco mode and let it run for a few minutes to let the system warm up some before I put a load on it.I do think that will extend the life of the unit.
Totally agree with you! Thanks for watching!
Curious why you didn’t put the tank on a scale during the test?
Thanks for Watching! I’m actually going to buy a tank with a fuel gauge to have a better idea of remaining capacity
@@Outdoor_Prepperyou can weigh propane and convert lb to gal if needed. Tank will show tare weight on ring.
Probley because he's not a drug dealer with scales😂 20 pounds of propane minus weight of tank as propane guy says. 😂 Who does that anyway OCD anyone. These are the top answers for you😂
@@HH-zg8zm A digital bathroom scale would work fine.
Ideally, get yourself a propane heater that can connect with a 20 lb tank (or greater) and none of the BTUs will be wasted in powering a combustion motor to turn a shaft to rotate an armature coil to create electrical flow to cause an electric heater to provide only 1,500 watts of heat (subject to electrical loss due to the resistance of the device itself and internal fan if so equipped).
What compares to 1,500 watts of heat?... most hand held hair dryers.
Gas generators can be life saving but they are way more expensive to run than just plugging any of your devices into a wall outlet.
Also, a generator rated at approx 3,500 watts provides only half of the wattage at each of the two outlets provided ie: approx 1,750 watts each.
You may have difficulty starting a window AC rated at 1,500 watts+ because of the excessive load demand required to get the compressor going.
BTW... if the idea of all of this is 'Prepping" then the best advice is to reduce your wants... toast??? AC???
Lots more to add... but best for all to do their own reaearch.
Those are some good points. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for doing this video. It's a question I've often wondered about. I also have been a person who has propane tanks refilled rather than swapping them. One problem with this is the rubber seal in the tank connection. Over time those rubber seals deteriorate, and they are not customer replaceable. When I asked the my propane refill vendor about this he said the only solution was to swap the tank. In theory the swapped tank rubber seals get some attention. I don't know if this is true but I seem to have no other option when they start to leak.
Some valid points for sure! Thanks for watching!
From what you have said you actually need a 7000 watt to 10000 watt generator which your better off using a Diesel powered generator which is what i run here in Alaska 😁
Thanks for watching!
Do Not use the OPD valve to determine max fill. Only use the fixed liquid level bleeder valve. OPD valves can (and do) fail causing an overfilled cylinder which will pop the relief valve
Good point and thanks for watching!
Just a heads up... the output on that generator is 120v 30a. NOT 120/240 which is what your "transfer switch" is rated. plugging that in will cause issues with both the generator and the appliances in side that require 240v. Again the generator is 120v ONLY.
Agree - this can only provide 120v power NOT 240. Thanks for watching!
A 120V generator can power both legs of a 120/240V system. The 240V loads won't work but it won't hurt them either. I don't know about automatic transfer switches, but a manual transfer switch won't care. HTH
So, a BBQ propane tank cost abt $20 to exchange and runs the Gen for 13 hrs. How much gasoline would it take to run that same 13 hrs with the same load? Thats the test we need next. Thanks for the vid.
That’s a good question and I will make a video on that at some point and test it on gas. Thanks for watching!
Liked the video, pretty long winded though! Thanks
Thanks for watching!
If you put your propane tank on a scale you can keep track of the consumption hour by hour and should also be able to see when the tank is empty.
Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching!
Good job
Thanks for watching!
I would consider getting a pair of 100# tanks with an auto tank switch device , should be able to get a propane dealer to refill on site at probably. less cost than refilling 20# tanks!
Good idea! Thanks for watching!
Shoulda just weighed the tank before and after an hour of runtime. Some quick math would have saved you, and your viewers, a lot of time.
Thanks for watching!
@@Outdoor_Prepperthere is always some assholes.
@@Thoreau-e4lLol, always.
@@Thoreau-e4l He's not wrong. Kinda silly to do the test this way, really. Constant load, just run it for an hour, maybe 2. Weigh the tank before you start, weigh the tank when finished. Easy enough to figure out the pounds of fuel per hour without having to actually burn a whole tank of expensive propane.
Do that on your channel hotdog
What would be a wonderful addition to many generators is a remote control so you could start, shut down, and or manulipate the consumption and use of power available from inside the house
Seprate outlets to carry different loads, timed, devices and off/ on.
Thanks for watching! The predator 5000 has a keychain remote control - I just haven’t needed to use it yet
It has one; but, be aware it has an annoying timer on it that is set at 12 hours. After 12 hours of inactivity the fob won’t work. You have to go to the generator and manually push the start button. It’s a feature to keep the battery from draining (which recharges when the generator is running), due to a parasitic draw. It would be better if it had another feature that would turn off the battery from a third push button on the fob, then “wake” the battery (at anytime with a push), to be able to engage the starter. If the Predator is left unattended, with the “on” button in the on setting, the battery will drain in three days where the unit will require pull starting. The 12 hour clock is annoying. At the very least it should be 16 hours and preferably 24 (assuming the previous suggestion can’t be incorporated). Most people probably won’t even use the fob feature and lose it 😂
Great video and my first time watching your channel, have just subscribed too. Please what's that white device by the side of the gen? I think the gen saves power on propane gas
Thanks for watching! The white device is the space heater that I’m using to test a simulated load
Good job man
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Did you get an accurate weight of the propane before you started the test? - looks like you got a couple extra pounds in the tank when it got filled. Also depending where and when you bought the propane. The kilowatt per gallon rating will vary a few percent. Another test might be, see if you can safely connect a natural gas line to your generator and get that setup to run. Then all you have to do is have the generator in a good standby position hooked to the Natural gas line. In an emergency flip on the gas, hit start and run as long as you need to with unlimited Natural gas supply.
Unfortunately I don’t have a scale to weigh the tank but will try that next time. Thanks for watching!
Have you tried using a spring scale to weigh the gas tank, that way you can estimate the run time better.
I haven’t tried yet but will definitely do so in the future! Thanks for watching!
My cheap off brand 3750 that I converted by swapping the carb. runs 22 hours with a fridg, freezer, pellet stove, normal lighting and a computer..
@@twistedhillbilly6157 that’s awesome
Just keep in mind your generator inlet in your house is 240v and this generator is 120v. Even with your adapter you’ll only power half your home depending on the wiring setup
@@michaelmcgregor7666 thanks for watching! I agree - the generator adapter bridges both legs but cannot supply 240v power. All my circuits that I have wired are only 120v
Remember that if you want to run electronics you'll want an inverter generator to produce clean power. Standard generators are not designed to run sensitive electronic devices or appliances.
Thanks for watching!
All Powerhorse non- inverter gens have less than 5% thd. A few Generac do as well
Yes thank you very much for this
@@johngilley9815 Thanks for Watching!
I run my RV with the predator 3500 on gas. it will run the AC all electronics refrigerator and tv over 1500 watts for 13.5 hours on only 2 gallons of gas. if you do the math on that the 5000 on propane it is a huge GAS hog for the money. The 3500 is still the best bang for the buck.
Thanks helpful info for sure! Thanks for watching!
I own a propane filling station in Tennessee I crack the screw open on valve till it spills out which is 4.5 gallons at 80% full .u only get 3-3.5 gallons from the cage bottles which is 15lbs
I agree the swappable cage bottles are not the best option. Better to go to an independent propane fill station like yours. Thanks for watching!
You are correct sir, just had several filled here in SC. Cheapest place was $12.00 for 4.3 most expensive was $16.50
For 4.5
Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
You should be able to have the generator OPFF for most of the night and probably half of the day. Night time you only need a torch to see top get into bed. Use a home battery -charged off the generator for times of low load.
@@seymourpro6097 that’s a great point . I recently bought a Bluetti ac200l solar generator( see the review on my channel) and tested it in my transfer switch. The plan is to use the solar generator at night and the generator during the day to recharge the batteries. Thx for watching
Here's an interesting comparison. How many BT use of heat did you get out of the heater VS if you just burned the propane and appropriate heating device? Would they be the same?
I guess if the generator was a 100% efficient. They could possibly be the other photo is came to me.I'm cutting wood with my chainsaw.Would have been better off heating the house with the gasoline that they changed so burned.Would I get more heat or more time out of it?Think about it
Good questions! Thanks for watching!
Weighing the tank before and after an hour of run time would have been more accurate, since they overfilled the tank. The safety (OPD valve) will prevent the tank from being completely full but one tank may fill to 90% and another to 80% so there's no telling how much propane was in your tank, without an accurate scale. Nice job on the video anyway!
@@bradh74 thanks for watching! I will definitely weigh the tank next time
Great video, do you have. Relative temperature and humidity, also what’s your elevation relevant to sea level.
Thanks for watching! I’m right at sea level and the temp was about 76 - low humidity.
I got 12hrs on one of them exchange 20lb bottles. 6hrs at 600w and the other 6hrs at 1650 watts. Predator 5000
Thanks for watching and good info!
You sound is only in the left channel. I'm deaf in my left ear. I had to put my headphones backwards to listen. Please use both channels.
@@jamesstuder5045 thank you for the feedback! I had a new microphone and was afraid there might have been an issue but couldn’t tell. I will make sure to correct that for the next video! Thanks for watching
You should have weighed the tank first and weighed it through out this test, other then that this was a great test and now I know how much run time I will get on 4850 duel fuel generator.
Thanks for watching!
Don't forget the defrost on the fridge. 1500w on timer. Temp sensor.
That’s a great point! Thanks for watching!
Filling the propane tank "to the top" can be very dangerous...
It’s filled to the regulated capacity , where OPD will safely present overfilling
If SHTF youll have that generator taken from you. Good luck!!
Thanks for watching!
I would have been interested in the weight of the tank as it was emptied from running.. A bathroom scale or better yet a farm scale sitting under the tank.. You could run the generator for 2 hours and observe the weight loss, then you could calculate the amount per hour without having to run it for 12 hours.. I have a dual fuel 12KW generator and the manual suggests that if you can start and warm up the engine for a minute or so on gasoline then shut it off and switch to the propane.. Starting a warmed up motor on propane especially when temperatures are cold would be easier but seems like a hassle I will try and avoid if gasoline is available..
Thanks for watching and I agree I will try a scale next time. I will look into an analog mechanical scale as I think it will be more reliable than an electronic one
It’s not a battery, using less power does not make the run time shorter. It will run on full power unless no power draw and it shifts to idle. Your draw can just not exceed capacity of the generator.
Thanks for watching!
I'm in Cali, I'm concerned we will have a quake in the next year or so. I have my Fridge and a deep freeze. I can imaging we may be out of power for 5 days or so. The propane seems a great option.
Thanks for Watching!
Are you still allowed to buy small gas engine equipment in California? Thought that was outlawed?