GPH 2 litre Ford engine vs. 2800 watt Onan generator

[jacks18614]

Ford 2.0 in 2012 transit connect with AC compressor running at idle =.3 gph as measured via OBD2 wifi scanner to android cell phone app

Onan 2800 .4 to .6gph depending on load
http://www.classbforum.com/forums/f28/fuel-consumption-of-an-onan-2800-a-3761.html

 

[highdesertranger]

Onan's never were considered to be very efficient. highdesertranger

 

[Headache]

You get what you pay for and I'm not buying a vehicle to keep my crap charged!

 

[jacks18614]

Charging battery(s) is just a minor secondary aspect the primary mission is to provide automatic HVAC much like a hybrid auto which can be retrofitted to any OBD2 auto with a gasoline engine.

The following link will describe the automatic temperature control device.

https://www.amazon.com/outstanding-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat-Controlled/dp/B073W425LW/

 

[Headache]

You had a slant 6! I think I love you. The generator I can afford gets less gph.

 

[B and C]

I run my generator to run not just my air conditioner, it also makes my coffee in the morning as well as giving my batteries a jump on the bulk charge phase among other things. I would rather pay the little in maintenance that my generator costs than to pay the higher maintenance costs of my engine. Idling like that is bad for the alternator too as it can't cool properly. I don't want to have to replace my vehicle engine because I wore it out early trying to stay cool and not going anywhere. I generally only have to run the AC when coming or going from the Lone Star State (Texas) in warmer weather when trying to get or come home from somewhere cooler.

If I could stay out there, the 40 degree nights and the 70 degree days are perfect and I would be chasing them.

 

[jacks18614]

The real breakthrough is having the ability to plug and play a remote starter and engine shutdown with a temperature controlled plug and play android app that works via wi-fi to the OBD2 connection.

The ability to read the current temp in the conditioned space via a smart phone is already available.

https://shop.thermodo.com/collections/frontpage/products/premium-thermodo

My application is even more complex because of the ignition key being electronic, but maybe that can be overridden by just having the key in the auxiliary position.

 

[highdesertranger]

frankly all I see is a bunch of failure points. IMO you need to have the ability to stay warm when you sleep without a heater get a good sleeping bag it's much more reliable. if it's to hot move somewhere that it's not so hot, then you don't need AC. highdesertranger

 

[drbill]

Ford 2.0 in 2012 transit connect with AC compressor running at idle =.3 gph as measured via OBD2 wifi scanner to android cell phone app

Onan 2800 .4 to .6gph depending on load
http://www.classbforum.com/forums/f28/fuel-consumption-of-an-onan-2800-a-3761.html

I like solar way better than a generator.

 

[wmyers4u]

Wear and tear on the vehicle engine would concern me probably more than the gas savings

 

[tx2sturgis]

3600 RPM is a typical Onan operating rpm.

Rev the rpm of the vehicle up to 3600 or even 1800 rpm, with the AC on and then see what the GPH is....

Typical automotive alternators don't put out much at idle, not to mention the oil does not really reach operating temps, and you can have cylinder washdown and oil dilution during prolonged idling. And the catalytic converter may not reach normal temps, meaning it can put out more pollution, and possibly damage the converter. Ever seen water dripping out of a tailpipe or steam coming out of it on cold mornings? 

Condensation...not good.

Some cars, hybrids in particular, are a different design, and not included in my generalizations.

And I'd rather wear out several generators than damage one vehicle engine.

Having said that, I'm all for experimentation, and real world results....keep us posted on how it works out...

 

[ZoNiE]

Older Onan's run at 1800. Any four pole genset does. They weigh ~400#. The newer lighter 2 pole units weigh ~200# but have to run at 3,600 to make 60Hz.
I've had both. My Honda EV4010 was great, never worried about it but was loud. My current Onan 6300LP is much quieter, but I worry about it all the time.