How to Connect a Portable Generator to an RV Fuel Line
A portable generator can be run by connecting it to the fuel line of a recreational vehicle, or RV, so long as the fuels are compatible. RVs can be fueled by diesel oil or gasoline. Generators can be fueled by diesel oil, gasoline or propane. No propane-powered RV chassis engines are marketed, so only generators powered by diesel oil or gasoline can share an on-board tank. RVs run almost universally on lead-free gasoline, while older generators may require gasoline with a lead-replacing additive. An RV fuel tank must only be used to run a generator designed to use precisely the same fuel.
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Things You'll Need
- Manufacturer's literature for RV
- Manufacturer's literature for generator
- Wrench
- Fuel line adapter
- Flexible fuel line
- Hose clamps
- Screwdriver
- Fuel line clips OR
- Plastic zip ties
- Low pressure fuel pump
- In-line fuel-grade stop tap
- In-line fuel filter
Instructions
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Consult the manufacturer's literature concerning the RV's fuel tank, or visually inspect the tank, to determine whether your RV is designed to have a generator fuel line attached.
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Check whether your RV fuel tank has an outlet approximately one third of the way up one side from the bottom. This design allows fuel to flow to a generator only until the fuel drops below the level of this outlet, at which point the generator starves and ceases to run. The bottom third of the tank is still filled with gasoline for running the chassis engine. The tank-side outlet will be capped on the tank's outside.
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3
Check whether your RV fuel tank has a service hub in its top, held in place by a series of bolts driven into captive nuts. Such a service hub accommodates the fuel level sensor and a primary extraction pipe that drops to the bottom of the tank. This pipe will be attached to a fuel pump either inside the tank, fitted to the service hub, or elsewhere in the fuel line, depending on which assembly conveys fuel to the chassis engine. If the service hub also has a secondary extraction pipe which drops only two-thirds of the way down into the fuel tank, its purpose is the same as the tank-side outlet already described. The secondary extraction pipe will be capped on the tank's outside.
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Ensure fuel in the tank is below the level of the tank-side outlet before removing the capping device.
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Use a properly-sized wrench to remove the capping device from the tank-side outlet, or from the secondary fuel extraction pipe dependent from the service hub.
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Connect a proprietary flexible fuel pipe to the outlet fitting, using an adapter between the outlet fitting and the pipe if necessary. Flexible fuel line is available in three different gauges, and must be sized correctly to be safe. Slide a hose clamp 6 inches down the flexible pipe, and then force the end of the flexible pipe over the raised rim of the outlet or adapter. Slide the hose clamp back up the flexible pipe until it is past the point where the raised rim is inside the pipe, and use a screwdriver to tighten it firmly.
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Route the flexible pipe to the location where the generator is to be sited. Use proprietary clips or plastic zip ties to hold the entire run of pipe against protective chassis rails and/or components beneath the RV. Ensure it is nowhere so loose that it can flex, or so tight that corners crimp. Ensure it is never exposed to road hazards, moving parts or any surface which may radiate heat when the vehicle is in motion.
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Install an in-line low pressure fuel pump at a point along the run of the fuel line where access is convenient and unobstructed. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for the generator as to the specifics of the component. Use a hose clamp either side of the component.
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Install an in-line fuel-grade stop tap at a point along the run of fuel line where access is convenient and unobstructed. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for the generator as to the specifics of the component. Use a hose clamp either side of the component.
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Install an in-line fuel filter at a point along the run of fuel line where access is convenient and unobstructed. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for the generator as to the specifics of the component. Use a hose clamp either side of the component.
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Connect the open end of the flexible fuel line to the inlet port of the carburetor on the portable generator. Slide a hose clamp 6 inches down the flexible pipe, and then force the end of the flexible pipe over the raised rim of the inlet port of the carburetor. Slide the hose clamp back up the flexible pipe until it is past the point where the raised rim is inside the pipe, and then tighten it firmly.
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Tips & Warnings
Bleed the air from your new installation before first running the generator.
Never allow a source of ignition anywhere close to a fuel tank that has an open cap or service hub. Gasoline vapor is highly flammable and very dangerous.
If neither the tank-side outlet nor the second --- shorter --- fuel extraction pipe dependent from the service hub is available on your RV, do not use the tank to supply the generator without having modifications performed by a professional tank welder. Fuel should not be drawn to a generator from the pipe which feeds the fuel line to the chassis engine, because if the generator runs the shared tank dry, there will be no way to start the chassis engine.
Do not "T" into the existing fuel line from the tank to the chassis engine and connect the feed to a portable generator, because if the generator runs the shared tank dry there will be no way to start the chassis engine.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rv,motorcoach image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
