Results: Onan NG fuel flow tests

[Vaughn]

I finally took the trouble to test my old Onan CCK (5 KW) while running on
natural gas. One of the nice things about NG is that you have a handy fuel-flow
meter. While running on propane, I was only able to check fuel usage in the
most gross manner because the only measure I had available was an entire fuel
tank. I am surprised and encouraged by the results. Running it on NG for a few
weeks after a hurricane would be affordable, and far cheaper than paying for a
motel room. (If there were any available)

Idle ..........................................49.2 cu. ft./hr = $ .68/Hr
Frig only (about 300 watts) ... 52.0 cu. ft./hr = $ .72/Hr
(For comparison, my Honda EU2000 will do that for $ .22/hr)
1500 Watts.............................. 54 cu. ft./hour = $ .75/Hr
3000 Watts ............................. 70.6 cu. ft./hr = $ .98/hr

I stopped at 3000 watts because I did not have a handy load, and we never
draw that much anyhow. 3000 watts does not even make that old thing grunt.

I built a little manifold with dual valves so that I can still use my
propane if necessary; just open the correct valve and make a little mixture
adjustment. I will start digging the trench for the black iron pipe tomorrow.

Vaughn

 

[beertender]

I finally took the trouble to test my old Onan CCK (5 KW) while running on
natural gas. One of the nice things about NG is that you have a handy fuel-flow
meter. While running on propane, I was only able to check fuel usage in the
most gross manner because the only measure I had available was an entire fuel
tank. I am surprised and encouraged by the results. Running it on NG for a few
weeks after a hurricane would be affordable, and far cheaper than paying for a
motel room. (If there were any available)

Idle ..........................................49.2 cu. ft./hr = $ .68/Hr
Frig only (about 300 watts) ... 52.0 cu. ft./hr = $ .72/Hr
(For comparison, my Honda EU2000 will do that for $ .22/hr)
1500 Watts.............................. 54 cu. ft./hour = $ .75/Hr
3000 Watts ............................. 70.6 cu. ft./hr = $ .98/hr

I stopped at 3000 watts because I did not have a handy load, and we never
draw that much anyhow. 3000 watts does not even make that old thing grunt.

I built a little manifold with dual valves so that I can still use my
propane if necessary; just open the correct valve and make a little mixture
adjustment. I will start digging the trench for the black iron pipe tomorrow.

Vaughn

Thanks for the data.

Your consumption even with no load seems to support your idea that the
big vacu-flow blower is using a couple of hp.

Off-idle appears to track fairly linearly. Maybe you should invest in an old
kwh meter from the power company, run some 10-3UF to your neighbor's,
and sell them a little power next hurricane.

Did you ever determine if all the parts are still on your genset to run it on
gasoline? Floatbowl, fuel lines, fuel pump?

zero

 

[Vaughn]

Off-idle appears to track fairly linearly. Maybe you should invest in an old
kwh meter from the power company, run some 10-3UF to your neighbor's,
and sell them a little power next hurricane.

No thanks, they would try to run their whole house.

Did you ever determine if all the parts are still on your genset to run it on
gasoline? Floatbowl, fuel lines, fuel pump?

I spent some time in the parts book and that situation looks hopeless.
What I have looks pretty much like the Gasoline carb, but isn't. Important
parts (like the main jet and even the place it goes) just aren't there. The
only way would be to find a used gasoline carb and convert it for NG/propane.
It would be way too much work and there is just not enough reason to seriously
screw with something that works. Conclusion, ain't gunna happen.

Vaughn

 

[Gordon Reeder]

I finally took the trouble to test my old Onan CCK (5 KW) while
running on natural gas. One of the nice things about NG is that you
have a handy fuel-flow meter. While running on propane, I was only
able to check fuel usage in the most gross manner because the only
measure I had available was an entire fuel tank. I am surprised and
encouraged by the results. Running it on NG for a few weeks after a
hurricane would be affordable, and far cheaper than paying for a motel
room. (If there were any available)

Idle ..........................................49.2 cu. ft./hr = $
.68/Hr Frig only (about 300 watts) ... 52.0 cu. ft./hr = $ .72/Hr
(For comparison, my Honda EU2000 will do that for $ .22/hr)
1500 Watts.............................. 54 cu. ft./hour = $ .75/Hr
3000 Watts ............................. 70.6 cu. ft./hr = $ .98/hr

I stopped at 3000 watts because I did not have a handy load, and
we never
draw that much anyhow. 3000 watts does not even make that old thing
grunt.

I built a little manifold with dual valves so that I can still
use my
propane if necessary; just open the correct valve and make a little
mixture adjustment. I will start digging the trench for the black
iron pipe tomorrow.

Vaughn

Very interesting.
Please remind me (I forgot) Are you off grid, going off grid,
or just using this as emergency power??
And just out of couriosity; How does the cost of making your
own electricity compare to the cost of buying it?? Just wondering.

--
Just my $0.02 worth. Hope it helps
Gordon Reeder
greeder
at: myself.com

Hey Dubya!
Unity means let's try to meet each other halfway

 

[Robert Morein]

Very interesting.
Please remind me (I forgot) Are you off grid, going off grid,
or just using this as emergency power??
And just out of couriosity; How does the cost of making your
own electricity compare to the cost of buying it?? Just wondering.

From his figures, it's 33 cents/kilowatt hour.
This is about four times the national average, and doesn't include the cost
of maintaining/replacing his equipment.

 

[Vaughn]

Very interesting.
Please remind me (I forgot) Are you off grid, going off grid,
or just using this as emergency power??

I only use it for emergency power. I live in south Florida hurricane
country. If I seem more obsessed than others about having emergency power
available, it is because my family has a looming medical need for reliable
power.

And just out of couriosity; How does the cost of making your
own electricity compare to the cost of buying it?? Just wondering.

Home-generated power is likely the most expensive power you will ever buy,
even if you just consider fuel cost. Even at a minimal power load, it would
cost me over $500.00 to run my generator 24/7 for a full month. A typical 1000
kwh grid power bill in my area is less than $100.00. Grid power is a bargain.

Vaughn

 

[Terry Collins]

I only use it for emergency power. I live in south Florida hurricane
country.

And you are going to put solar panels on a roof top?

If I seem more obsessed than others about having emergency power
available, it is because my family has a looming medical need for reliable
power.

What are the power requirements?
There are a lot of people that have CPAPs and they can get by with
various size batteries. At worst they have their own gennie to top them
up.

This would be a heck of a lot cheaper that risking everything on a PV
system that may or may not be there when you need it.

 

[Vaughn]

And you are going to put solar panels on a roof top?

I have a small solar system, but I actually use my generator for standby
power.

What are the power requirements?
There are a lot of people that have CPAPs and they can get by with
various size batteries.

I have never measured the drain from our CPAP, but it is probably around
100 watts. Unfortunately, we will eventually need an oxygen concentrator. I
suppose those things take between 300 and 500 watts. That would take a pretty
hefty battery bank, and then you would still have to have a generator available
to charge the battery. Best just use the generator.

Vaughn

 

[Terry Collins]

I have never measured the drain from our CPAP, but it is probably around
100 watts.

It varies greatly with pressure. On alt.support.sleep?disorders some
people claim to be able to use those portable powerpacks for cars, etc,
but others need to do the full calcs and have a decent deep-discharge
battery.

Unfortunately, we will eventually need an oxygen concentrator. I
suppose those things take between 300 and 500 watts. That would take a pretty
hefty battery bank, and then you would still have to have a generator available
to charge the battery. Best just use the generator.

Could you just have a standby bottle of Med Oxygen?

 

[Vaughn]

Could you just have a standby bottle of Med Oxygen?

Of course, and perhaps we will. But with a reliable 3 to 5 KW generator
you can run an oxygen concentrator and do a whole bunch more, like run a bedroom
air conditioner and/or keep the house dehumidified following a hurricane.
These things are also important for people with lung trouble. Lights and TV &
cold fridge are nice too! It also might be important to run some power tools to
patch things up after the storm.

Vaughn

 

[Terry Collins]

Of course, and perhaps we will. But with a reliable 3 to 5 KW generator
you can run an oxygen concentrator and do a whole bunch more,

Okay, if you want to do all that {, then obviously you are going to
get a diesel gennie, but atm I don't need to (healthwise) and would
really prefer the resultant quiet (at least until the rebuilding
starts).

Is it easy (permission wise?) to get a changeover switch fitted for you
to swap the house from mains to gennie? .

 

[Vaughn]

Is it easy (permission wise?) to get a changeover switch fitted for you
to swap the house from mains to gennie? .

With the possible exception of a building permit, you normally don't need
anybody's permission, at least here in the USA. Just work within the electrical
code. Transfer switches are normal equipment that you can buy at Home Depot.

Vaughn