Why a Propane Generator Is a Smart Choice:

Choosing a propane generator can offer several advantages over other types of generators, such as those powered by gasoline or diesel. Here are ten important reasons why a propane generator might be a smart choice:

1. Environmental Friendliness: Propane burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, producing fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants. This makes it a more environmentally friendly option for generating power.

2. Energy Efficiency: Propane generators are known for their high energy efficiency. They can produce the same amount of electricity as their gasoline counterparts while using less fuel, which can lead to cost savings over time.

3. Long Shelf Life Of Fuel: Propane has an indefinite shelf life, unlike gasoline or diesel, which can degrade over time. This makes it an ideal fuel for emergency generators, as you can store it for long periods without worrying about fuel quality deterioration.

4. Safety: Propane is stored in secure tanks and has a lower risk of spillage compared to liquid fuels, which can leak and create environmental hazards. Also, propane has a higher ignition temperature than gasoline, making it less likely to ignite accidentally.

5. Availability of Propane: Propane is widely available and can be easily stored and transported in tanks of various sizes. This makes it accessible for use in remote locations or during emergencies when fuel supply chains may be disrupted.

6. Cost-Effective: While the initial cost of a propane generator may be higher, the overall operating costs can be lower due to propane's efficiency and the lower maintenance requirements of propane generators.

7. Quiet Operation: Propane generators are generally quieter than diesel generators, making them more suitable for residential use or in noise-sensitive areas.

8. Reliability: Propane generators are known for their reliability and longevity. They tend to have fewer mechanical issues than gasoline generators, partly because propane burns cleaner and leaves fewer deposits in the engine.

9. Versatility: Propane can power a wide range of generator sizes, from small portable models to large stand-by systems, making it a versatile choice for different needs and applications.

10. Cold Weather Performance: Propane performs well in cold weather, unlike diesel, which can gel in low temperatures. This makes propane generators a reliable choice for emergency power in all seasons.

Choosing a propane generator involves considering your specific needs, including power requirements, fuel availability, and environmental concerns. These advantages make propane generators a compelling option for many residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Good propane portable generators have enough power to feed most common household appliances or power tools. You will normally find one or two 120 volt outlets. Often these propane generators also have a 12 volt DC outlet to charge car and other batteries.

Handling propane can be safer than handling gasoline. The one thing you want to make sure when you connect the propane bottle to the generator, is that the generator is cold and that there are no hot parts because it has just run. With one bottle of propane you will be able to run a generator many hours. So unlike with gasoline, you will not constantly be topping up.

Running your generator on propane is cheaper than running it on gasoline!

Propane bottled gas can be found almost everywhere and it is usually in good supply. But as generators are generally bought to be prepared for emergencies, you want to be sure that you will be able to get the fuel to run your generator.

Gasoline also is in normal times available everywhere and is plentyfull. So what do you go for?

There are generator models that will run both on gasoline and propane gas. Means: You can store a few bottles of propane quite easily and without much risks, als long as the area in which you store the bottles is well aerated, you don't have to fear a problem. One big advantage of propane is that you can store it for years and it will not go bad.

Storing gasoline at home is a more dangerous option. You must make sure that the containers are in good shape (I recommend metal canisters) and they also need to be in a place that is well aerated. Problem with storing gasoline is that it will deteriorate over time and finally become unusable. So you need to make sure that the gasoline in the canisters is used and replaced periodically.

Having the option to run the generator on two fuels gives you more supply safety. Check the Dual Fuel Generator here.

Amazon.com is a great place to check what sells. You can be sure that the first few products on the Amazon top seller list are excellent and will meet the needs of many people. So these generators are certainly worthwhile a few minutes of investigation!

Just click on any of the links to get more informations and read the buyers comments.

The Sportsman brand generators are well engineered and the company has a long experience in manufacturing propane generators. Note that these generators are made in China, which explain the excellent price. The generator engine is a clone of the Honda GX-390 motor.

The Sportsman generators are great for non professional, occasional back-up power and occasional use for other power needs. If you need a generator for daily use, Sportsman is not your first choice. That said, they are perfectly OK and you get definitively a lot of generator for you money!

They do have a few small shortcomings, that you can easily address:

- Before running the generator for the first time, flush the oil once or twice. Fill capacity is 1,2 quarts. Some buyers had noticed small metal filings from manufacturing, and as there is no oil filter, you will avoid problems later in the life of the generator by doing this. Installing a magentic oil drain plug (size M12x1.5 / 12mmx1.5 / 12mm-1.5) should help catch any remaining metal filings. Also consider changing the oil two or three times after running only 30 minutes to an hour. Once you don't find any debris anymore, fill up with a high quality synthetic oil and you should be good for a longer period.

- Buy a more expensive iridium soark plug and replace the one delivered with the generator, this will maximize the fuel efficiency. An iridium spar plug resists heat and corrosion much better than the standard plug. Note that propane burns quite a bit hotter and is more corrosive than gasoline.

- If you opt to use the electric starter, you will need to buy the battery separately, it's not delivered with the unit. Buy a gel battery and you will never have worry starting the generator. The generic designation of the battery is UB12180. Make sure it does not exceed these dimensions: 7 1/8" L x 6" H x 3" W, and offers 130 Min CCA (cold cranking amps). These batteries should do fine: Yuasa: YB9A-A, YB9-B or YB9L-B, Delco: CB9A-A, NAPA: 740-1872, 740-1858, 740-1837, Sears: 44043, 44356, 44045.

DIY Tips and Tricks for Propane Generators

Propane generator dies in cold weather or runs badly:

Propane is a liquid gas when in the bottle. releasing it lets the liquid diffuse back into a gaseous form so that the generator motor can burn it to transform the propane energy into electirc power.

When a liquid changes its state from liquid to gaseous, it needs heat to do so. This heat is removed from remaining liquid gas in the tank. In cold weather, the liquid propane in the tank is allready cold, especially if you operate the generator in freezing temperatures. Thus the constant drain of heat through the flow of liquid turning into gaseous propane drops the temperature of the propane so low, that it starts to get more solid and turns into a sort of molasses, and finally it could even freeze up and turn solid.

Should that happen, your generator will not receive enough fuel to run and the motor will die. It's therefore important, to keep the propane bottle as warm as possible, when running the generator in cold weather.

Low Oil Cutoff Triggers, even though oil is still OK

If that happens, you might simply have a problem with the way you placed the generator on the ground. Make sour the unit is set up level!

Propane generators have their price. If you operate on a tight budget, bookmark this page and return frequently. You are sure to see real steals from time to time. Used, or pre-owned propane generators sometimes are offered without a limit, and if you are lucky you can get one that has run only a few hours way below the original sticker price. Good luck!