[KYHAM] "gas" vs. diesel gen-sets (was BPL, Ham radio and the EOC)

[Larry Brown]

I also find this an interesting topic.  My background includes being 
certified in propane service for over 15 years,10 years in HVAC and now as a 
service advisor with an outdoor power equipment dealer.  I agree totally 
with Mr. Bowers that propane fuel is as safe as any other for stationary 
gensets,as well as emergency heat when common sense and safety precautions 
are followed.

To A.W. and any others that may decide on fuel oil for genset fuel,I caution 
you that it must be treated and if at all possible,the fuel oil should be 
rotated(tank emptied and fresh fuel in)at least every 3-4 years. When in 
HVAC servicing boilers at a school system here in Kentucky several years ago 
I ran into a multi-fuel boiler that would not run on oil when the gas 
company called for "switch-over". The filters kept clogging up and the 
nozzles would plug. The final analysis.....alge in the underground fuel 
tank. Seems the tank was filled 3 years prior and was not used since.

A final note....whatever type of genset ,portable or stationary,and whatever 
fuel you choose, don't let the unit set and expect it to work when you need 
it. Proper maintenence and routine testing(at least monthly startup and 15 
minutes runtime) will assure you of power when you need it. If you could see 
the stack of gensets in our shop from hurricane Ike passing through 
Kentuckiana and the units failing to start after sitting a year or more 
untouched and now waiting for fuel system cleaning/carb rebuilds you'd see 
what I mean.

Off my soapbox now!
Good show and carry on!
Larry

-- Original Message ----- 
From: "A. W." <ky4sp at yahoo.com>
To: "Kyham" <kyham at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 1:02 PM
Subject: [KYHAM] "gas" vs. diesel gen-sets (was BPL, Ham radio and the EOC)


> This has been interesting so far. The point of my original reply has been 
> made. Now is the time to think about re-supply for your gen-set; not 20 
> minutes before the tank runs dry.
>
> I prefer diesel for personal and "professional" use, based on my own 
> experience with both over about 25 years. Even more so, now that I know 
> that some guys will be busy moving propane tanks around and won't be after 
> "my" diesel fuel.
>
> Here is anouther one - how many of you "public safety" guys have a set of 
> engine belts stored on site? You know when they are going to fail.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- Blake Bowers <bbowers at mozarks.com> wrote:
>
>> I am pretty familiar with BLEVE, as presently a
>> Fire Chief, having been in the fire service since
>> the
>> 70's, being an instructor in handling propane
>> emergencies, and my son teaches the class as
>> a state certified instructor.  I fail to see how
>> BLEVE has anything to do with lifting a propane
>> tank however.
>>
>> Propane is even used as vehicle fuel now.  Again,
>> handled properly, it is safe.
>>
>> While Diesel may be "the safest combustion
>> fuel" that does not mean that properly
>> handled propane, gas, or even nuclear
>> fuel is unsafe.
>>
>> I stand by my statements.  I have also been
>> in the telecommunications industry for years,
>> and have experience with hundreds of gensets,
>> diesel, and propane.
>>
>> >> BLEVE boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion
>> >> not a pretty site
>> >>
>> >> propane is dangerous no question about it
>> >> Diesel is the safest combustion fuel available
>> >> propane tanks have lifitng lugs for empty tanks
>> only
>> >>
>> >> I am the retired safety director of TVA power
>> plants
>> >> everyone of which has TWO diesel motors on
>> stand-by for emergency fire
>> >> protection
>> >> each motor and pump is test ran each week
>> >> sure there is some problems
>> >> but for reliability and safety Diesel is hard to
>> beat.\
>> >> W4HNI
>> >> Charles "Goober" Lehman
>> >>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Kenwood TM-G707A Giveaway
>> http://www.kyham.net/support.html
>>
>
>
>
>
>
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