Dual Fuel Generator: need both?
3 cranky908canuck 5 5/29/2025, 11:28:00 PM
Please let me know if there is a better place to post this, looking for broad knowledge!
I am considering buying a generator for 'glamping' and and emergency preparedness (in a seismic zone). I already have a lithium PSU (since the glamping use case means I can't use the motor genset when I need the power). Absent the emergency prep, I'd live with the lithium unit (1.5kW/1.2kWh).
I would really like to avoid gasoline appliances, but generators seem to be either gas or dual (gas/propane). Agreed that for EP, handling both is a plus.
Looking for experience with this (and advice about "should I run it with gasoline every so often...?").
When I looked at options for keeping a couple days worth of fuel around (with no gas-powered yard tools to necessitate fuel turnover), propane seemed like the more attractive option.
I was also storing said fuel in an outbuilding with venting and pretty far back on my property.
If you're regularly buying and storing gas, your math might math differently.
If the generator is mostly going to be sitting around with infrequent usage, either go propane or research gas fuel stability and storage treatments.
Maintenance will depend on the model, but it’s going to need spark plugs and oil changes at a minimum.