Converting gas generator to Propane

[LouNY]

How do the valves/valve seats cope with LPG.

I couldn't say with small engines but the truck and auto engines that run on unleaded gas do fine. They have all gone to better valves and seats.

 

[3930dave]

Haven't pulled out my slide-rule to really check the #'s, but gut feel - if you needed 200 gallons of gasoline to meet your generator planned use, then you are going to have to upsize your propane storage capacity significantly. Unless you don't heat with propane.

If your road vehicles burn gasoline, consider splitting that 200 gal. in 2 or 3 time-staggered caches. With a good quality stabilizer, you'll be good for a while, and won't have to remember to burn up all that gas at once.

I like propane for what it is; I just think you'll need more than 500 gal.

Rgds, D.

 

[bunyip]

I couldn't say with small engines but the truck and auto engines that run on unleaded gas do fine. They have all gone to better valves and seats.

Just that we have had two Landcruisers that destroyed the heads three times each, an 80 series and 100 series, I have heard that direct injection helps a lot but probably not practical on a small engine.

 

[3930dave]

Not sure about F150, but I know gasoline Superdutys recently had a CNG/Propane prep option, which I believe included different valve seats.

Rgds, D.

 

[shooterdon]

How much can you sell the Honda for? Seems like putting $300-400 into it when you can get a new one for $1000 does not make much sense. If you can sell it for $300 it is not that much more $ for a new unit.

Curious why are you storing 200 gallons of gasoline? Are lengthy power outages common?

A new EB11000 is about $5000...I hope to get $2500 for it. It is an industrial unit.

Minimum delivery is 150 gallons to my location. I never let the level in the tank go to empty. So I have 50-200 stored.

My reasons for going with propane is to avoid fuel storage issues, and not having to haul gas cans during the night or inclement weather. BTW, considering adding a second 500 gallon tank to get sufficient vaporization at below 0*, to have more fuel on site if SHTF, and buy when pricing is attractive.

if I sell the Honda for $2000, I can nearly break even with an 8000 watt dual fuel and reconditioned 500 gal tank.