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0533
08-02-2008, 04:28 PM
Beat this one if you can.

I am currently in Nova Scotia in Lunenburg relaxing repairing my window, my solenoids and seeing the sites, Kayaking, biking, running, the Wx has been pretty good until last night.

Friday night is steak night, I break out the tenderloins, the grill good bottle of red wine, baked potato, beer and maybe even a rum and coke Appleton Reserve last night. I had my beer, my rum and coke and was getting ready to put the steaks on the fire, the cell phone rings, one of those restricted # rings, which I sometimes do not answer especially at night.

I pick up the cellphone anyway. The caller asks if I am who I am, I answer I believe so as this is my cellphone, and who are you (female on the other end) She responds,"I am officer so and so from the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). I am somewhat surprised by this, as I have not shared my cell phone numbers with the RCMP. She asks me if I owned a "Big Silver Bus" and was I towing a car with yellow kayaks on it. I said yes of course, what is the reason for the call ( Thinking all along that I might have run over a mother and baby in carriage going through a busy town somewhere and never noticed with too many distractions) she says did you fill up your motorhome in a XYZ town at a Soby's gas station on Tuesday last. I said yes. She asked if I had paid at the pump, I said yes, she said she has a report that a Big Silver Bus placed $700.19 of fuel in their bus and left without paying. I said that is impossible because I swiped my credit card received authorization and lifted the nozzle and turned on the pump and spent the next 20 minutes filling the bus using a slow auto diesel pump, talking with passers by and blocking traffic. I finished and got back inside and left for my seven day stay in Lunenburg.

The officer said that the owner of the station has filed a complaint with the RCMP and she had to resolve the issue.

My response was that A. I did nothing wrong, B. I am having a 20 minute cellphone conversation at .70 cents a minute and C. Its my cocktail hour and D. Just have the manager call me and I give him my credit card. She said she would take D. and have the manager call, get the card and it would be over. I said I would standby. I hung up and told Pam this isn't over, and I think that these fine folks think that $700 big ones is equal to kidnapping in Nova Scotia.

Its still raining, but its time to cook the steak and frankly I am not going to let this minor inconvenience get in the way of steak night especially after 1 beer, Rum and coke and now starting my first glass of wine.

Steak is on, getting close to ready, rare and juicy.

then all of a sudden an RCMP police car rolls up, This isn't over until the RCMP decides it is.

Needless to say the meal is on hold.

Officers both get out (PS> I have now made friends with neighbors on two sides, Prevost owner from Stuart fl and Country Coach owner from Stuart Fl, they are having dinner, but are now watching the 2 officers, the lights and of course their new best friend from Jupiter.

Anyway, I walk over to them, bad move, and say that I have already been in touch with your headquarters and am waiting for the Soby's manager to call so that I can give him my credit card. That did not fly, and they did not believe me for one second.

I asked them would you try and steal fuel at a gas station in a 45 foot silver bus with a car attached, blocking the entire gas pumps with 2 yellow kayaks on the roof. They did not reply to my question other than to call me an asshole, which was possible at the time as I was missing my dinner, getting wet and this was not my Friday night plan.

Finally I convinced the female officer to call her headquarters and confirm my story, she did and they conferenced the gas station manager in and I gave them my corporate credit card and all was good.

I waved goodbye explained to my neighbors what had happened ( they had come out to ask, be helpful I guess) went inside to complete my meal and drink the rest of the bottle of wine.

Today Pam and I were laughing about last night, thinking that it could have been worse, its over and from now on we will remember in Nova Scotia one can pump $700 worth of fuel without swiping his credit card or getting any type of pre-approval.

Later this morning I posted a thread on the solenoid leak. Brian, Jon and others gave me some great tips on how to fix the problem.

I gathered all the necessary tools, including my stool, opened the steering bay, sat down to start my brain surgery on the solenoid. I had it all apart, carefully putting all pieces on a clean rag.

I am working away when my neighbor 2 coaches down gets a visit from their children. everyone greets each other and hugs and kisses.

One son has the Halifax paper in his hand. He says out loud, "Did you see the story on the front page about the motorhome that filled up their tank with $700 of fuel and took off". I am stunned. Needless to say I got up and went over to introduce myself as the bandit in question and could I please read the article. They are now stunned and recognize the bus in the front page picture. they hand over the paper, all along wondering if there might be a reward when they turn me in to crime stoppers, no kidding about this. As a bandit one does get what they ask for, they surrendered the paper without a struggle and I had Pam scan it, see attached.

So if you do not see or hear from me again, it is because I did not make back to the US border, fighting my way through the hordes of bounty hunters who are now perched on the roadsides waiting for the "Big Silver Bus" to sneak past them in the dark of night.

This isn't over, and I am sure the next campground will have posters up by now. Great fun.

PS> Its was bad enough to have paid over $6 per gallon, but this was insult to on the injury. Next time I will have added the 298 gallon tanks to get me back to the US before fill ups, that is if I get back.

See Link: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1070987.html

Jon Wehrenberg
08-02-2008, 04:40 PM
If its any consolation I had the self control to not post any comments after the newspaper article.

I certainly hope you mentioned you were a member of the Prevost Prouds and that you felt entitled to free fuel given the outrageous price.

0533
08-02-2008, 05:41 PM
If its any consolation I had the self control to not post any comments after the newspaper article.

I certainly hope you mentioned you were a member of the Prevost Prouds and that you felt entitled to free fuel given the outrageous price.
Now I have learned that we were headline news last night on TV, it does not end. I have written to the newspaper, lets see.

merle&louise
08-02-2008, 06:38 PM
Bruce,

You might want to check to see if your credit card was charged TWICE.

I am in the C store business, and I can not imagine allowing someone to fill up a bus without making damn sure that they pay in advance. I know that you said you inserted your credit card and then pumped your diesel. My point is: if the pump was authorized to pump the diesel - it had to have processed your card OR someone inside authorized the pump. If they in fact did authorize the pump, they owe you an apology.

A simple check of your credit card statement online will verify when your credit card was actually charged. Just make sure you were not charged twice.

0533
08-02-2008, 06:49 PM
Here is the odd thing about this, and you are correct. When I swiped the card it showed that it was authorized, which is when I lifted the handle and filled the tank. It was a normal and ordinary swipe, authorize and fill, no hassles at all, so I thought.

Pam mentioned something to me today that I had nor thought about. Pam pays the bills and said that our Citicard, the one we used at the pump has our cellphone number attached to it in case they question a charge, they can reach us to verify that we agree with the charge.

We received a call from the RCMP officer to my cellphone. The story said that they were not able to read my plate number from either vehicle, I am guessing the station attendant had the card info when I swiped it, there would be no other source for the cellphone #.

PS> I just finished speaking with the reporter from the Halifax paper who is printing the retraction and clarification in Sundays paper.

Bruce

phorner
08-02-2008, 06:56 PM
Bruce, your summer travels have certainly been an adventure so far! Another reason that I simply don't wander beyond the borders of the good ole US of A.

So, a Marathon as a get away car..... how cool is that! :D

POG can now lay claim that we have our very own version of Bonnie and Clyde :eek:

0533
08-02-2008, 07:10 PM
Bruce, your summer travels have certainly been an adventure so far! Another reason that I simply don't wander beyond the borders of the good ole US of A.

So, a Marathon as a get away car..... how cool is that! :D

POG can now lay claim that we have our very own version of Bonnie and Clyde :eek:
Its a long way to the border and one road out of town. I still have to run the gauntlet past all of the Crime Stopper Bounty Hunters about 500 miles through the entire TV and Newspaper Coverage area, real fun time, and of course I am wondering what has been said to the US Border folks, great fun in store ahead.

MangoMike
08-02-2008, 08:36 PM
Bruce,

Best bus story I've heard all month.

Hope this is the final chapter.

Mike

rfoster
08-02-2008, 10:46 PM
We have had various awards at previous POG Rallies in recognition of certain achievements.

Anal Awards, Viagra Awards, Whiskey Dent etc --

I make a motion for a new category: Best Bus Story

And I nominate Pam and Bruce.

jello_jeep
08-02-2008, 11:27 PM
Now... I don't care who you are... This is FUNNY....

Yep, I fueled up and hauled ASS in my BUS, CAR, KAYAK, AND BBQ... LOL

Bad Bad Bad Bruce...

Kenneth Brewer
08-03-2008, 12:30 AM
PS> I just finished speaking with the reporter from the Halifax paper who is printing the retraction and clarification in Sundays paper.

Bruce[/QUOTE]

Please confirm that the retraction was indeed made, just to close this story, because it is a beaut. And tell us if you were indeed charged twice or not. Thanks again.

0533
08-03-2008, 06:29 AM
Bruce,

Best bus story I've heard all month.

Hope this is the final chapter.

Mike
I think Lloyd and Pamela set this practical joke in motion as a Nova Scotia Prank, knowing that we were heading to Lunenburg Ns.

I did get a chance to respond to the Halifax Newspaper, they still did not get it right, but at least its in the Sunday paper today (see attached), maybe some of the kind Nova Scotia folks will clean their shotguns and put them back on the shelf.

I was going to tell the paper that I learned the art of stealing diesel fuel at a seminar given by Jon at a POG rally, but did not want to give up the entire group, I'll take the hit for all of us.

Pam and I have enough fun in the sun in Nova Scotia, plan on heading back to boring USA on Tuesday, should cross over in Saint Stephens NB on Wednesday will report back if we are successful getting back across the border.

http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1071130.html

0533
08-03-2008, 06:39 AM
PS> I just finished speaking with the reporter from the Halifax paper who is printing the retraction and clarification in Sundays paper.

Bruce

Please confirm that the retraction was indeed made, just to close this story, because it is a beaut. And tell us if you were indeed charged twice or not. Thanks again.[/QUOTE]


Pam has been checking our Citibank statement online and neither charge has hit the card. Unfortunately we have no proof whatsoever that we have paid, none.

But I have to say that If I was not a good natured person, I would start to get a little Pis... at the Sobey's folks who called the cops. I am starting to think that the nice young man inside the Sobey's station authorized the pump in an effort to make my pumping easier, and by doing so it might have over ridden my swiping of my card??? But I still have to believe that once I swiped my card that the information was stored somewhere and could have been retrieved?? Its over for now. No more diesel in Canada, have a full tank should be good until I get back to Maine.

Will Garner
08-03-2008, 08:22 AM
Pam and Bruce,

I would go for making the paper pay you for that tank of diesel. After all you did everything right, have been harrassed by the RMCP, been embarassed in front of your camping neighbors, are now spending time and probably money too just checking your account making sure you were not billed twice for that one tank of diesel, and are now worrying about how to escape from Canada without any more troubles.

Suggestion, don't just look for the retraction, get a copy of the paper to have with you at the border crossing and then find a good attorney - well an attorney - and sue the pants off the gas station, the paper and the RMCP just for good measure. Who knows, you could wind up with enough cash to move up to that 2001 H-3 everyone has been posting about lately.

Best wishes for more smiles as you travel down the highways of life.

0533
08-03-2008, 09:35 AM
Pam and Bruce,

I would go for making the paper pay you for that tank of diesel. After all you did everything right, have been harrassed by the RMCP, been embarassed in front of your camping neighbors, are now spending time and probably money too just checking your account making sure you were not billed twice for that one tank of diesel, and are now worrying about how to escape from Canada without any more troubles.

Suggestion, don't just look for the retraction, get a copy of the paper to have with you at the border crossing and then find a good attorney - well an attorney - and sue the pants off the gas station, the paper and the RMCP just for good measure. Who knows, you could wind up with enough cash to move up to that 2001 H-3 everyone has been posting about lately.

Best wishes for more smiles as you travel down the highways of life.
Pam had expected that Sobey's (large grocery Chain) would at least give us a certificate for a gallon of milk, I will not hold my breath.

I will say this, if I find out that Citibank has charged my card twice or even if they can show a hit for the transaction I will offer my thoughts to Sobey's.

It was the Sobey's gas station manager who filed the police report, he wanted to cover his backside when his boss asked where the $ was.

Frankly I am lucky I was not arrested and dragged away to court, I may have been given some slack by the Pony Police, as they were not exactly buying into the notion of a Silver Getaway Bus who escaped 40 miles down the road for 7 days either.

Its over, and we will never leave a station without a receipt from now on. I generally do not care about the receipt as I use my statement each month to verify charges.

lloyd&pamela
08-03-2008, 10:29 AM
Hi Bruce and Pam,

Sorry for your gas experience, remember you are in the country and technology is still new in most of NS. We hope you are able to enjoy the Mahone Bay Wooden Boat Festival and the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival while you are there.

To set the record straight, we had nothing to do with this fiasco.

We wish you both the best, were you able to connect with any of the people we set you?

MangoMike
08-03-2008, 11:13 AM
We have had various awards at previous POG Rallies in recognition of certain achievements.

Anal Awards, Viagra Awards, Whiskey Dent etc --

I make a motion for a new category: Best Bus Story

And I nominate Pam and Bruce.

Fast Roger,

Great suggestion. And although I think Bruce has it hands down I also know that you've got about 4,000 miles ahead of you this fall, which gives you plenty of time to create your own antics.

mm

sawdust_128
08-03-2008, 11:26 AM
Sounds like you had all the characters. Barney, Goober, Aint Bee, Howard, etc. Don't wory, Andy finally showed up to straighten things out.

I've got a real good image of this:

isolated penninsula town, rich tourista's, townies, tough times, under-educated, evil baron in a rolling bling palace, etc.

It all adds up to the episode entitled "THE CRIME OF THE CENTUERY in Mayberry".

You are a shoe-in for the funniest story and I think you should run a POG rally workshop, --- maybe "Ways to avoid an international incident while bussing."

Please let us know how you make out running the border.

lloyd&pamela
08-03-2008, 11:40 AM
Busted! You see we just have too many tourists, especially of the american variety buying up our ocean front properties, so ... ;)

Aaah, the memories ... We could tell you a few, on both sides of the border.

A recent tidbit: do NOT use the "Truck" lane entering Montcalm, Manitoba from the U.S. or you may be scorned and given the evil eye and told where to go, never mind that you might be directed to that lane on most occasions. C'est la vie.

Also, re: border crossing, remove your sunglasses and don't offer any more info than that requested. If a simple "yes" or "no" will suffice, leave it at that. And, for God's sake, don't you plan on smuggling in an orange or an onion that's started to sprout!

Hope the rest of your NS journey was enjoyable nonetheless.

Our best,

Pamela & Lloyd

Judi Brown
08-03-2008, 12:35 PM
Sorry to hear about problems with fill-up, but don't think a country should be bad mouthed over it. I am wondering how mounties knew where to find you.
Did you use same credit card to check in there. I think Nova Scotia tourism
and Pog should persue this further. You have a $6.00 a hour manager trying
to maybe cover his mistake and a credit card company that is not going to admit there machine made a mistake. In the mean time it creates bad feelings
on both side of the border. Hope the rest of trip is a pleasure.
Judi B.

0533
08-03-2008, 01:51 PM
Hi Bruce and Pam,

Sorry for your gas experience, remember you are in the country and technology is still new in most of NS. We hope you are able to enjoy the Mahone Bay Wooden Boat Festival and the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival while you are there.

To set the record straight, we had nothing to do with this fiasco.

We wish you both the best, were you able to connect with any of the people we set you?
We have been distracted by the side show, but have really had a great time in NS. I'll try and remember the tip about technology next time and bring cash. We are leaving Lunenburg tomorrow, do you need us to pick up anything to bring to the states??

0533
08-03-2008, 02:16 PM
Sounds like you had all the characters. Barney, Goober, Aint Bee, Howard, etc. Don't wory, Andy finally showed up to straighten things out.

I've got a real good image of this:

isolated penninsula town, rich tourista's, townies, tough times, under-educated, evil baron in a rolling bling palace, etc.

It all adds up to the episode entitled "THE CRIME OF THE CENTUERY in Mayberry".

You are a shoe-in for the funniest story and I think you should run a POG rally workshop, --- maybe "Ways to avoid an international incident while bussing."

Please let us know how you make out running the border.
I'll make my final report once I am resting comfortably in Maine, and have successfully made it across the border.

PS> I still have no prove of payment. I called Citibank, and asked why neither charge has shown up on my card, I explained the situation, told them that charges before and after have posted to my account but nothing from Sobey's.

Citibank said that sobey's has not posted the charge to our account yet, in other words it is still pending. Not very Speedy about getting paid?? Much Quicker to pick up the phone and call the RCMP.

phorner
08-03-2008, 03:37 PM
I dunno, Bruce. Your tales are making me nervous as I get too close to the border. We're in New York and headed for Maine.

While I was fueling the bus this morning I thought I noticed the Flying J attendant keeping a watchful eye on me.... in case I was part of that notorious POG gang thats been reported in these parts :eek:

Seriously, you bring up a good point regarding proof of payment. Many times the receipt printer spits out nothing or a wrinkled piece of scrap that is impossible to read anyway.

Usually, Janice will head in to the counter inside while I get to the task of pumping diesel. She pays the bill with the card after I'm finished and by the time she's back outside, we're ready to roll....

Hope your travels become less "eventful" :)

Kenneth Brewer
08-03-2008, 04:52 PM
"I will say this, if I find out that Citibank has charged my card twice or even if they can show a hit for the transaction I will offer my thoughts to Sobey's"

If it turns out you were charged twice, it will means the first charge went through as you had thought, bolstered by fact that the pump proceeded to dispense fuel. It has been my experience all over the lower 48 that you will stand there and wait some amount of time (if it's a dial-up system) until it is authorized. In that event, it isn't a 'misunderstanding', it was brain fade at best and incompetence otherwise. Re-training of the clerk, and an apology from the establishment would seem in order. That's my last two cents on this one. Thanks for listening.

shookie
08-03-2008, 05:21 PM
hello bruce...nice story...great experience...however, i believe one beer and one rum and coke was not "enuf" to go through what you experienced...i believe you shoud replay the entire event...call the horse riding cops, tell them you must meet with them, drink much, much more alcohol prior to their arrival...and i firmly believe you will have a more enjoyable interlude with the boys in red...(you probably will not remember as much as you wake up cold, surrounded by steel bars the next morning)...but just think how much better a story it will be...so, pick a day, consume a minimum of 6 - 8 alcoholic beverages, make the call, have a few more, and wait for their arrival...then please let me know the outcome...thanks for sharing...cheers, shookie

0533
08-03-2008, 05:55 PM
hello bruce...nice story...great experience...however, i believe one beer and one rum and coke was not "enuf" to go through what you experienced...i believe you shoud replay the entire event...call the horse riding cops, tell them you must meet with them, drink much, much more alcohol prior to their arrival...and i firmly believe you will have a more enjoyable interlude with the boys in red...(you probably will not remember as much as you wake up cold, surrounded by steel bars the next morning)...but just think how much better a story it will be...so, pick a day, consume a minimum of 6 - 8 alcoholic beverages, make the call, have a few more, and wait for their arrival...then please let me know the outcome...thanks for sharing...cheers, shookie
I will remember this next time shookie. I did in fact over consume that evening and paid the price the next day.

I have just returned from the Liquor store and have stocked up for the ride tomorrow.

We decided to head to another Nova Scotia Park before we head back to Maine. Went over to the park to check it out (Graves Provincial Park) only about 35 miles east toward Halifax, wonderful ocean Island location. We drove over in our Saturn Vue, with our Yellow kayaks and our $1,000 grill on the back.

Two people stopped us, one had recognized us from our current park and the other told us that they had seen us on the nightly news today and it was all a miss understanding. Enough exposure for us, I'll do my next big Friday night steak dinner outside of Canada. Truly everyone here has been really nice and this is the reason we return.

Ray Davis
08-04-2008, 01:57 PM
I think the last posted comment on the original story is of critical importance. He stressed always getting a receipt. Having a receipt for the fuel would have made all the difference in the world.

But hey, you wouldn't have this great story to tell, in that case! :D

Ray

0533
08-04-2008, 04:01 PM
I think the last posted comment on the original story is of critical importance. He stressed always getting a receipt. Having a receipt for the fuel would have made all the difference in the world.

But hey, you wouldn't have this great story to tell, in that case! :D

Ray
Its all about the POG awards banquet for me. I already have Mango's vote.

PS> We moved to a new campground today, greeted by new neighbors who already know who we are, all have come by to say hello have pictures taken near the bus, they do however blame the gas station and many have had the same experience Ns.

Ray Davis
08-04-2008, 04:33 PM
Sounds like fun. Kathy was wondering if it should be the "Most Wanted" award?

Ray

phorner
08-04-2008, 06:33 PM
Of course they wanted pictures.... kinda like having your picture taken with Jesse James :D

The real issue is; do the border guards already know who you are ?

Maybe you could disguise the bus as something else....

0533
08-05-2008, 07:35 AM
Of course they wanted pictures.... kinda like having your picture taken with Jesse James :D

The real issue is; do the border guards already know who you are ?

Maybe you could disguise the bus as something else....
I have made a plan to make sure that I can get away with the fuel scam at the next fill up.

Pam is stitching together several hundred of the silver warming blankets (the ones that are used in emergencies) I figure that once Pam is finished it will be 90'x 30'. When we pull up, we simply cover the entire bus and toad, fill up, and fold back the front cover, move forward while Pam, positioned in the toad slowly pulls in the cover, a perfect plan.

We figure that the cover should not cost more than $2K, with a 4 tank pay back.

0533
08-05-2008, 02:25 PM
I am at Graves Provincial Park in Chester Ns dry camping. One of my neighbors who recognized me from the papers has come over to have a laugh about the whole thing, as he now knows by the fact that we are blocking his and about 10 other campers views just how silly the whole thing was.

He works as a rep for the Annapolis valley Michelin Tire factory, interesting that Michelin Truck tires are made nearby.

Anyway he told me that I should make an effort to stop at the Sobey's fuel stop that turned us in and get the receipt for the transaction.

He also said that when one fills up at the sobey's that you either have to use your card at the pump or it has to be pre-authorized inside, he stops at this location a lot and says that if someone does not pay its the attendant who must pony up the cash out of his pay check, and thats why they called 911 as fast as possible.

Finally he said demand your receipt as it comes with a cash back at Sobey's grocery store at the rate of 3.5 cents per liter, we pumped 482.8 liters worth $16.90 wonder who got this cash back receipt?? My wife is now really on the case and expects the receipt. I said the Sobey's manager has already purchased a case of beer with it and is relaxing at home now that he still has his job.

PS> Just for fun, Bonnie and Clyde decided to take pictures of the robbery while at the gas station, Pam just remembered she took these, as we were really blocking the place and she thought it was interesting, really cool bandits, nerves of steel.

Here are a couple of pics, Pam blow one up to show Clyde with his credit card in hand

rfoster
08-05-2008, 11:57 PM
Well- I am surprised that no one has picked up on the POG Rally Award for Best Bus Story - of course Bruce has been nominated but the key is the Award will read: BEST B.S.

Now we all know Bruce,s Story is credible via the newspaper and hundreds of witnesses. No doubt he is in the lead.

All entries welcome. Story must be posted and evaluated by the bored board.

Let the BS Begin.

0533
08-06-2008, 08:10 AM
I have now had a chance to speak with the Sobey's gas Station manager, Mike who said that he will have a receipt for us on Friday when we are passing by his location on our way back to Maine.

Mike apologized for sending the Pony Police after us and hopes that we did not have a paid experience. Ha ha.

Lloyd will enjoy this part. The manager called the RCMP within minutes of the diesel grab. They had a tip that we were heading east to Peggy's cove, the opposite way from our actual route,( there is only one road two directions) so they deployed 3 cruisers to surround Peggy's cove, a loop Lighthouse road and could not find us, and gave up so said Mike from Sobey's, thats when they went to the press.

Mike also said that we should not have been able to pump more than $150 at the outside pump without Pre-Authorization. He thinks that his 17yr. old attendant pre-authorized the fill up and did not tell his manager he did so.

Anyway We are entitled to $19.90 in Sobey's groceries now from the fill up.

PS>We are burning about 10 gallons or so every 24 hours while dry camping X 5 days, and will add some fuel at Sobey's, will get a receipt this time.

Its interesting how expensive dry camping is now days, when its cost $21 per night to dry camp and $30 for diesel. Its cheaper to pay for full hookups when possible.

Ray Davis
08-06-2008, 10:50 AM
We are burning about 10 gallons or so every 24 hours while dry camping

Bruce, I'm not sure why, but that sounds a little high, given that you've indicated you are only using the generator about 5 hours per day.

Tuga and Jack14r reported 24 hour generator use at races :

http://forum.prevostownersgroup.com/showthread.php?p=28197&highlight=generator+use#post28197

and their usage was only about 0.5 gallons per hour of use. If you're burning 2.0 gallons per hour, it seems like you're running 4 times the amount that they reported in their posts.


Ray

0533
08-06-2008, 11:34 AM
Bruce, I'm not sure why, but that sounds a little high, given that you've indicated you are only using the generator about 5 hours per day.

Tuga and Jack14r reported 24 hour generator use at races :

http://forum.prevostownersgroup.com/showthread.php?p=28197&highlight=generator+use#post28197

and their usage was only about 0.5 gallons per hour of use. If you're burning 2.0 gallons per hour, it seems like you're running 4 times the amount that they reported in their posts.


Ray
I am not actually sure about the consumption. I have a 20KW at home for my standby genset for the house that burns over 2 gallons per hour and assumed that the 20KW in the bus would burn in the same range, half a gallon seems very low for the 20KW but would love to believe it is so.

I found this on the PowerTech website, I have a 20KW PowerTech:

(GPH) LOAD

PTSS 20

1.8 @ 100%

1.35 @ 75%

.9 @ 50%

phorner
08-06-2008, 11:47 AM
Bruce,

We used our 20K generator extensively at the FMCA rally and consumed less than 1 GPH. It was HOT and we ran it some 8 to 12 hours at a time without a problem with a minimum of 2 cruise airs churning out cold air.

I think our actual consumption was somewhere in the neighborhood of 0.7 to 0.8 GPH.

However, even at that rate, it still rivals the cost of some campgrounds if you need to run the generator as much as we did.

Ray Davis
08-06-2008, 01:19 PM
half a gallon seems very low for the 20KW but would love to believe it is so


I'll admit, I questioned the number in that original post, but both Jack and Tuga indicated a similar value. Someone else posted (not sure which thread) that he actually measured flow and if I remember right came up with similar numbers.

I don't have much actual generator experience here, as I've rarely needed/used my generators.

Ray