5 Gallons in a Generator ?

[eljefino]

Originally Posted by RayCJ
Hint: When running those small generators, if it has two, 120V outlets (or 2 banks, of 120V outlets) try to split the load across both sets evenly. If you plug one extension cord into one outlet then, power all the devices from the end of that extension cord, the load on the generator will be unbalanced. When those small engines run unbalanced, their speed governors have a hard time holding at 60Hz and they will burn fuel inefficiently.

If necessary run two sets of extension cords, each plugged into one of the 120V outlets and power the loads evenly as possible across the two lines.

Ray


If it has the 120/240 switch though and you flip it to 120-exclusive mode it should combine them evenly.

A single-cylinder 3600 RPM generator is already a little off because of the 4-cycle motor only making power every other revolution. Beats letting the fridge get warm though.

 

[rubberchicken]

I have a Kohler 5e 5000 watt generator in my boat. 2 cylinder water cooled Kawasaki engine, I think it's rated at 16 hp. Burns about .25 gallon per hour at 25% load, up to .75 gallon per hour at 100% load.

 

[spackard]

Being even more pendantic (hello BITOG), sure the freezer and 'fridge will keep things cold a few hours more after the fuel runs out, but, now your next refill won't last as long, because fuel is used to pull the appliances and contents back down to either 40F or 0F.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by Rand
Originally Posted by Blueskies123
I see everyone is saying around 12 hours but that is not my experience. I got about 7 hours on a "new" generator running about 50% load. Sorry to be the outlier, just trying to help. A frig and freezer does not have to run all the time, they can keep cold a long time.
I would try to not let it run out of gas. A coughing and chocking generator that is running out of gas can damage a compressor but if it only happens once you might be ok. I would go back in 8 hours and see how much gas is left, then you will know how often to go back.


how much gas is that?

if you have a 2000w generator at 50% load you run out of gas much faster than a 4000w at 1/4 load.. simply because bigger generator = bigger gas tank.


+1. I was going to tell OP given the load, if he was really concerned, to go buy a Honda Inverter, which drops the engine speed and sips fuel more frugally when lightly loaded.

Until I realized that there was only 1-2 gallons in them!!!!

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

+1. I was going to tell OP given the load, if he was really concerned, to go buy a Honda Inverter, which drops the engine speed and sips fuel more frugally when lightly loaded.

Until I realized that there was only 1-2 gallons in them!!!!


There are kits to enhance that figure. Like this one. But I am in complete agreement on the absurdity of running a huge monster at light-ish load because of its capable built-in fuel tank. A near-necessity because of its running unattended.

 

[Whimsey]

My 5500 watt Briggs & Stratton generator has a 7 gallon tank and is rated at ~ 12 hours run time at 50% load. My actual experience is it's probably some what less. Another thing you don't want to do is let the generator run out of fuel while there is still a load on it. This can cause electrical problems with the generator damaging it.

Whimsey

 

[thooks]

Just piling on.....

Last year after Hurricane Irma we were on the generator for 3 days. I used a Honda EU2000i at night, where we could run a TV, a couple of lamps and two refrigerators on about 3 quarts (all it holds) for 9-10 hours. I would fill the 8kw/7.5kw big gen up with 5-1/2 gallons of fuel in the morning and it would run ~12 hours so my wife could still work at home (computer, lamps, fridges). There would be about 1/2 gallon or so after 12 hours. That would be running about 10-15%% load. I only ran the big generator due to the fact that it would run 12 hours on a single tank of fuel....yes, I was wasting a lot of fuel but the wife didn't have to fool with the smaller unit running out of gas.