Max Power Output Comparison Propane Vs Gasoline Using Dual Fuel Generator
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- After many people asking what is the difference between max power output when running Propane Vs Gas generatorpowers... decided to test it out. This can be a bit confusing to follow, but suffice it to say that the difference between operating on propane and gasoline is minor unless maxing out the system.
We tested a Westinghouse 4500 Dual Fuel Generator. When running on propane the generator was unable to produce enough power that we were demanding. This resulted in a voltage and amperage drop. This can be bad for sensitive appliances like hair dryers, computers, etc.
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That was extremely interesting. You could hear the hair dryer running, but not a full capacity. So when using propane, that fuel handles the task fine, but once you reach the upper levels of amperage, the propane can only handle slightly less than gasoline. Very cool.
You Got It! Thanks for watching!
My IGen 4500 DF should be here on Friday. Thanks for your videos that helped me make my buying decision. In this video I think there are several error and hope I can provide some helpful information. You indicated that you would attempt to draw 40 amps under full load. However, that current is way over the rating of the generator for either gas or propane. Since the loads you are using are mainly resistive I would assume a power factor (PF) of approximately 1. The load you applied was also long term and therefore for gas the maximum power output of the generator is stated as 3,700 watts. Using the power formula of P=IE [PF=1] the maximum current would be I = P/E = 3700W/120V = 30.8 amps, thus the 30 Amp outlet. The duplex outlet has a 20 Amp circuit breaker and those two outlets are in parallel and therefore you should not draw more than a total of 20 Amps from these sockets combined... not 40 Amps. In your video you showed that one of the outlets was drawing around 19 Amps and then you tried to load the second outlet with another 20 Amp demand. The result was the first outlet's current dropped to 16.35 Amps. I am surprised the circuit breaker did not trip but I guess the control circuits in the inverter limited the current. Also when you switched to gas before applying the second load you showed a current draw of 16.6 Amps. I don't understand how that could happen unless you changed the load configuration from the previous propane measurement. Propane does have less BTUs than gas but I think there are too many error in this demonstration to confirm that statement. So it should be remember that for gas fuel the total continuous current from all the AC sockets combined should not be greater than 30.8 Amps. For propane fuel the maximum continuous current should not be greater than 27.8 Amps. I hope this is helpful and that I didn't make any mistakes ; ) Again I do want to repeat I really appreciate your channel and you taking the time to do all these demonstrations for a beginner like me in portable generators.
This sounds way over my pay grade... Nonetheless, we did not change any configurations. We applied the same load under gas and propane. The point was to hear/watch the difference between the two. Looking forward to hearing how you like it! Keep us posted.
All great comments but it does indeed confirm propane putting out less max power than gasoline. This might be ok from an economic standpoint if propane is cheaper than gas where you are. Also when the amps start to drop, the power output also drops using the same equations. So it is worth noting that after your max propane load on the generator, when you increase the load further you are actually getting less power out of it. When you hear the rpms drop the engine is also producing less power just like in your car.
That's was good information. Gas will remain my primary fuel. Will try to utilize propane as a secondary fuel source, for limited device powering. As soon as I find the correct snorkel that will fit my generator's carburetor. Thanks again.
The hugh advantage is gas will go bad if it sits for long periods and propane wont.
The simple reason concerning the power difference of gas vs propane is that gas is more volatile than propane. Gas has more umph because of this, therefore gas produces more power. Propane may be more convenient, but gas is more powerful.
Indeed! Thank you for the input.
Propane also produces 30% less heat when burned compared to gasoline. I agree about the convenience of propane though ideally for people at homes with a huge tank to hook into for power outages. For portability I prefer gasoline to a heavy steel BBQ cylinder to carry around but I am not a travel trailer camper like this so maybe there is some other convenience I am not aware of.
Great video. Just ordered one for my airstream and power outage.
Awesome, let us know how you like it.
Excellent review brother 👍
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Awesome thank you for addressing this.
Glad we could help!
Thank you, Sir.
In perspective, those Westinghouse and Pulsar 4000 - 4500 watt (+or-) Generators made by Ducar Power in China only lose about 3 old fashion incandescent light bulbs worth of power on Propane.
A T Burke
Is there a difference in run time between gas and propane at 50% or full load ??
I’m getting ready to buy the Westinghouse 12,500 dual fuel for my house.
@generator power I wanted to ask about the noise and fumes. Is propane quieter than gasoline (I couldn't tell from the video on my laptop speaker) and is the exhaust fume less toxic smelling? When I ran my small gas generator is smelled terrible like a lawnmower fume and I could almost feel myself getting cancer from it or something not good. Also thanks for making this video!
Hello. Any update on a 50 amp parallel option for the Westinghouse 4500DF?
Haven't heard anything yet. As soon as it is available we hope to review it.
“Propane versus...” 💥 Thinking - should’ve turned the propane off first. Next time!
lol
All in all, very informative videos! 👍🏾
Hi, I have bought a Westinghouse iGen4500DF last week which comes with spark plug "Torch F7RTC". So which following spark plugs do you recommend if I need to replace them with; NGK BPR7ES 5534 or NGK BPR7HIX 5944? Thanks in advance!
NGK BPR7ES is the replacement for the Torch plug... This is the same plug used in the Predator 3500 that I just replaced.
Have you experienced the auto-choke problem on the DF model? Thanks.
We have not, but others have commented on it. However, I had a conversation with WH last week and they have told me that they have addressed the auto choke issue.
@@generatorpower7744 Thank you for the follow up. I have several generators and "need" another one for RV travel. I have some CZcams generator and Solar Power content so I greatly value your input.
Good review - how about sharing the posted power output differences
3700 max continuous 4500 watts surge on gas and 3330 continuous 4050 watts surge
Sure we can do that. Thanks for the suggestion.
Is it a lot cheaper to run propane?
That depends on where you're located and the price of fuel.
Guys can you replicate the RV real world test you did with this using the propane instead of gas? That would be a stronger apples to apples comparison of how I’d be using this.
Sure, we can do that.
Great Video! Was hoping someone would do this experiment. I would of love to know what the voltage was doing.
It dropped with the amperage drop. I'll add that in next time!
@@generatorpower7744 Now we need to see if it does this to the famous Champion 3400DF as well.
Killer video..
thnx
Thanks for watching!
Very welcome..
Great video, Thanks!. Do you have any info on running a generator with natural gas? I have been trying to find the drop in amps vs gas with no luck.
I have been wondering this myself. The only info I can give is that a study I dug up from last year said from averaged prices, $15 of natural gas was equivalent to 11.2 gallons of propane. So it is impossible to give exact numbers due to different prices of everything everywhere but if you are running off a 5 gallon or 20lb tank If propane costs $2.50 per gallon, in this example, natural gas is the cheaper alternative. Likely in all situations however, natural gas will be a lot cheaper than propane. On the maximum power output side natural gas has a lot less energy than propane. Less than half actually per cu ft. You would easily cut your maximum power output in half at least which is why you have a hard time finding information on it because people don't do this.
Can you share the cost of running it btween gas n propane
Yes, we will do that in a coming video. Thank you for the suggestion.
@@generatorpower7744 yesssesssss thxx
*Propane Vs Gasoline = $$$$$*
Video on that coming soon!
Hey guys just unboxed the iGen4500 duel fuel and a bit paranoid about some of the hit or miss feedback on this unit. This is my first generator purchase and your vidoes have been a huge help! Can you give this a listen and tell me if this sputtering I'm hearing is normal or potentially a problem? I don't feel like I hear it on you videos. I am running it on propane by the way. czcams.com/video/KmDBn4YHLP4/video.html
This sounds very similar to what we experienced when running on propane. We are going to do another noise test on propane soon so you'll be able to hear it again.
Generator Power thanks that’s good to know! If it had problems with the choke like I’ve seen reported by some, what would be an indication of that? Also what are your thoughts on the magnetic dip sticks I’ve seen? Do you know which would compatible with the iGen4500?
It could be a couple of things.... The most common comment/issue I have heard of is either the choke will not engage, making it difficult to start. Alternatively, the choke does not disengage once the motor is running as it is intended too. You'll probably be able to hear the motor running differently. There is no "indication" per-say on the unit, rather just knowing by the sound of it.
Nike sucks!!!