Backup Generator

[grsthegreat]

The main issue with propane or natural gas for generators is both these fuels have a very narrow air/fuel ratio in which they will run so any problem at all with fuel delivery or adjustment will cause hunting or make it nearly impossible to start. Gaseous fuel engines are extremely sensitive to intake leaks for this reason. This is the reason nearly all complaints you see for every brand of Nat Gas home standby generator revolve around intermittent no start or instability. They are finicky, particularly now that they need to meet tighter emissions.

If you’re handy and have no problem making adjustments this isn’t a huge issue but something that requires ongoing tweaking isn’t practical for the Mrs when I’m not home to deal with it.

Gasoline is much more tolerant and apart from choking to start will run a wide range of mixture with little effect on stability. Storage is an issue though, propane has a nearly unlimited storage life since there is virtually no oxygen contained in the tanks.

I can fully back this statement. Nearly every issue i get called on for a standby not starting revolves around fuel issues. Alot of time its bad installation issues such as the wrong sized regulator or undersized fuel lines. This winter ive seen a few that refused to start because the fuel regulators were buried in snow. probably froze the valving inside unit. I repaired one unit because a heating contractor moved the generator to make room for a larger heat pump, and kinked the fuel line. The guy had 2 different techs come and look at the unit, and both threw parts at it and didnt fix the issue. first thing i noticed was a crushed fuel line and a propane regulator off of a BBQ unit. Heres a generator sucking down 225,000 BTU being fed off a 85,000 btu regulator. I felt bad for the guy.

My own propane unit has fired up every week without issue for past 3 years. I have battery and oil heat kits on the unit.

 

[Zerk]

If you have a heat kit on the propane generator, don't you need power?

 

[grsthegreat]

If you have a heat kit on the propane generator, don't you need power?

yes, the heat kits are 240 volts and they get power thru sencing circuit n1 and n2 on geneac unit

 

[Toyboy]

yes, the heat kits are 240 volts and they get power thru sencing circuit n1 and n2 on geneac unit

You seem to be very knowledgeable with Generac units, wish you were in my zip code.
I do have a question for you though. How often do you recommend replacing the flexible rubber gas line? My 20k has been in service longer then I thought, 7yr. Your thoughts.

 

[grsthegreat]

You seem to be very knowledgeable with Generac units, wish you were in my zip code.
I do have a question for you though. How often do you recommend replacing the flexible rubber gas line? My 20k has been in service longer then I thought, 7yr. Your thoughts.

Now days, we use stainless gas flex lines. The rubber ones were affected by cold and sun. Depends on how much direct weather the line is getting. Ive seen 10 year old unit where the rubber hose still looks ok. I guess it all depends on how it looks.

 

[Toyboy]

Now days, we use stainless gas flex lines. The rubber ones were affected by cold and sun. Depends on how much direct weather the line is getting. Ive seen 10 year old unit where the rubber hose still looks ok. I guess it all depends on how it looks.

Thanks, I'll have that looked into later this spring. I never really liked the idea of the rubber hose anyway even though it's probably reinforced.

 

[Zerk]

yes, the heat kits are 240 volts and they get power thru sencing circuit n1 and n2 on geneac unit

For me I want a generator for when the power is out. I get it for facilitaties that will start up the generator on loss of power. But for me in a long term outage i may not run it all the time, and I might not turn it on as soon as power goes out.

Need to research propane. Worked with big generators, but not small stuff.

 

[TheMan419]

For me I want a generator for when the power is out. I get it for facilitaties that will start up the generator on loss of power. But for me in a long term outage i may not run it all the time, and I might not turn it on as soon as power goes out.

Need to research propane. Worked with big generators, but not small stuff.

Also for older folks who are unable to futz w a portable generator. I壇 love to have a whole house natural gas. Would love for it to kick in automatically for the wife but have the ability to turn it off when we don稚 need it.

 

[grsthegreat]

Also for older folks who are unable to futz w a portable generator. I壇 love to have a whole house natural gas. Would love for it to kick in automatically for the wife but have the ability to turn it off when we don稚 need it.

all auto start units can be shut down manually . I turn mine offwhen i go to sleep ... dont need to waste gas while we sleep

 

[Zerk]

all auto start units can be shut down manually . I turn mine offwhen i go to sleep ... dont need to waste gas while we sleep

If it is an issue about temps and propane, by morning it will be cold.

I am not looking for auto transfer switch.