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GMFL · 09-09-2019, 09:30 AM

Skitger,
We are headed that way Wednesday morning. 4 day drive for us...... see you there!

uncle_bob · 09-09-2019, 09:40 AM

Hi

Just a guess (based on looking out the door ....): You probably will not need A/C in Yellowstone next week

=====

I'm hauling around 20 pound propane bottles in egg crates. The idea being that *if* I do need to run the generator, I'll go through quite a bit of propane for it at the same time I'm also sucking the tanks dry running other stuff. My *assumption* is that getting a 20 pounder replaced / refilled will be easier than mucking with the 40 pounders on the trailer.

Bob

blacklab · 09-09-2019, 01:23 PM

Bob,

Yes, indeed, the Tare Weight on the standard steel 40 lb propane tank is about 29 lbs per tank. (The actual Tare Weight of your specific tank is stamped on the tank with "TW" followed by a number. Then add the 40 lbs of propane when filled, you're getting up there in weight.

The TW of a steel 20 lb propane tank is typically around 17 lbs. Again, the TW will be stamped on your 20 lb tank.

Now, if you have some spare cash, you could replace your steel propane 40 lb tanks with aluminum 40 lb tanks, with a TW of about 19 lbs, reducing the TW by about 10 lbs per tank. Still, not "light" (TW + propane) for sure.

The TW of an aluminum 20 lb propane tank is about 13 lbs.

I recently purchased a 10 lb aluminum propane tank for use with my portable, two 30,000 btu burners stainless steel stove from CampChef. Just used it for a 15 day camping/fishing trip near Yellowstone and it performed great. I like not only the TW (9 lbs) but the smaller size to carry it in my vehicle.

Cheers,
Bryan

Roadtech · 09-09-2019, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacklab

I recently purchased a 10 lb aluminum propane tank

I would be interested in knowing where you bought it. I would like to buy one as well. Sounds great for that use.

blacklab · 09-09-2019, 04:19 PM

Roadtech,

After looking at both the Manchester and Worthington aluminum propane options, I purchased the Worthington.

I'll send you a PM with some suggestions and details of where to purchase.

As you probably know, aluminum propane tanks are not inexpensive. But for my use, I decided it was worth the price. No second thoughts. I like it.

Cheers,

Bryan

P.S. Apologies to Ronnie for highjacking his thread and moving off-topic. Related yes, but not "on point".

GMFL · 09-09-2019, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacklab

Roadtech,

After looking at both the Manchester and Worthington aluminum propane options, I purchased the Worthington.

I'll send you a PM with some suggestions and details of where to purchase.

As you probably know, aluminum propane tanks are not inexpensive. But for my use, I decided it was worth the price. No second thoughts. I like it.

Cheers,

Bryan

P.S. Apologies to Ronnie for highjacking his thread and moving off-topic. Related yes, but not "on point".

Bryan no worries. What about composite cylinders
https://www.vikingcylinders.com/products/

Roadtech · 09-09-2019, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMFL

Bryan no worries. What about composite cylinders
https://www.vikingcylinders.com/products/

I tried those a few years ago and I had a heck of a time getting any place to refill them. I even took the documentation provided by Viking that showed and ok'd the regulations to the refiller and they still refused to fill them. It became such a hassle, I gave up on them.

blacklab · 09-09-2019, 08:24 PM

Ronnie,

I looked very closely at the Viking cylinders. I had several good e-mail dialogues with a chap at Viking.

After talking with two of my local propane dispensers (one of which is a large propane wholesaler) and showed them all the printed material from Viking, I decided I didn't want to risk not being able to get the tank refilled, particularly in more remote locations.

Another thing that discouraged me was that at both of the only two places in Oregon that carry the Viking tanks, the only ones they had in inventory were old and thus they would need to be re-certified not many years after I purchased them. And they would not order new ones until they sold their current inventory. Even the tanks at the Viking website itself were of older manufactured date vintage, or were not in stock. So, on balance I decided to go with the well-known and thoroughly tested Worthington.

I purchased my 10 lb Worthington aluminum tank at the end of July. It was manufactured earlier in July. The manufacture date, which they must stamp on the cylinder, says 07 19. So, my re-certification date runs from that date.

In fact, when I took my new 10 lb tank in to be purged and then filled (at a local large propane distributor) they said "Great tank."

I know it may sound crazy from a $ standpoint, but I will likely replace the stock steel tanks when I get my first AS (likely a Globetrotter 27' FB Twin) with two 20 lb (to reduce overall tongue weight) (but may go with two 30 lb) Worthington aluminum propane tanks. And, to add further craziness, may go with the Worthington 6 lb Aluminum propane tank for my soon-to-own 5 hp outboard propane powered motor (although I may just use my 10 lb tank for that).

So, propane for my grill, my generator (which I hope to never have to use!!), my AS, and my outboard motor. I should make an ad for Worthington Industries!!

Cheers,

Bryan

OTRA15 · 09-10-2019, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacklab

. . .
. . . I recently purchased a 10 lb aluminum propane tank . . .
. . .

Thanks for the heads up on this option -- some sources FEI:

https://powertank.com/products/10-lb...nk-worthington
https://www.propanetankstore.com/10-...-propane-tank/

Peter

FEI/FWIW

blacklab · 09-10-2019, 08:27 AM

Vintage Trailer Supply also carries a range of sizes of the Worthington Aluminum propane tanks.

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com...-Tanks-s/1.htm

OTRA15 · 09-10-2019, 10:41 AM

Great link thanks. The 6-pounder is under 7" in diameter!

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com...-p/vts-257.htm

Some of the horizontal tanks would be handy for certain setups, as they appear to have mounting brackets/plates, for instance:

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com...-p/vts-135.htm

Peter

rgwatkin · 09-15-2019, 03:41 PM

If you do a propane conversion as I did on my EU2000 be prepared for about a 10% loss in hp/torque. In my case, before I did the conversion I was able to start my AC with a soft start at about 6,000 ft elevation and now with propane only at around 2,000ft. So...if I am going above 2kft and expect to have to use the AC I bring a can of gas.

pcskier · 09-15-2019, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgwatkin

If you do a propane conversion as I did on my EU2000 be prepared for about a 10% loss in hp/torque. In my case, before I did the conversion I was able to start my AC with a soft start at about 6,000 ft elevation and now with propane only at around 2,000ft. So...if I am going above 2kft and expect to have to use the AC I bring a can of gas.

Is your soft start a Micro-Air Easy Start or something else? My propane eu2000i worked at 5500 feet recently. Though I won’t dispute that there is less power with propane.

rgwatkin · 09-15-2019, 04:08 PM

Micro-Air. On gas I have no problem up to 6kft on the Micro-Air but propane, no.

Presitla99 · 09-16-2019, 12:31 AM

Is the Genconnex dual-fuel? I know the Hutch Mountain is and am weighing the advantages/disadvantages of each. Thanks.

GSansoucie · 09-16-2019, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presitla99

Is the Genconnex dual-fuel? I know the Hutch Mountain is and am weighing the advantages/disadvantages of each. Thanks.

It is not, one of the reasons I decided against it. I installed the Hutch Mountain kit on my new EU2200i this weekend. Took me all of 30 minutes to install it, including the time spent having to rummage through my woodworking shop in the basement to find my step drill bit.

I used both gas and propane to test it out. I like the ability to be able to run it off of both fuels if need be. We live in Maine and lose power at the most inopportune times, we have a bigger generator for the sump, boiler, and other necessities, its good to know I can grab this little guy and set it up on the deck if I need to watch a movie now ;-)

GMFL · 09-16-2019, 07:40 AM

The Genconnex is not dual fuel. I personally did not feel the need for both. Propane in clean and readily available through bottle fill or exchange, plus I carry 60lbs of it on the front of my trailer. Continuous runtime on a 20lb tank of propane is much longer a tank of gas.
No problems with gumming up the carburetor either.
Duel fuel is an option. It just was not the “best” option for me.....

lsbrodsky · 09-16-2019, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMFL

The Genconnex is not dual fuel. I personally did not feel the need for both. Propane in clean and readily available through bottle fill or exchange, plus I carry 60lbs of it on the front of my trailer. Continuous runtime on a 20lb tank of propane is much longer a tank of gas.
No problems with gumming up the carburetor either.
Duel fuel is an option. It just was not the “best” option for me.....

I agree and the Genconnex unit is the cleanest looking conversion with no unnecessary stuff sticking out of it.

Larry

Rollinstone · 09-16-2019, 05:08 PM

I installed the Micro-Air Easy Start on my Dometic 13,500 BTU Penguin II AC. My new Honda EU2200i ran it just fine at 300' and about 75-80 degree day.

I took the trailer to 4000' and 95-100 degree days at <20% humidity and the Honda struggled. When the compressor kicked on it would run for about 5 minutes then the AC would shut down (the gen kept running), then the AC fan would come on, run for about 6-8 minutes then the compressor would kick back on run for 5 minutes or so and repeat the same cycle. Took 45 minutes to an hour for the interior to cool to a comfortable level. When temps dropped at night to 80 degrees or so, everything ran just fine.

Appears that a combination of temperature and high altitude conspired to cause a bit of trouble. Overall, though, I'd say things performed as advertised.