Generator Gasoline/Propane Conversion

[Dale_Alan]

I am interested in converting a portable generator to be able to run on propane also. There are conversions out there and am wondering if anyone has tried one of these? Are they a sensible way to do this or a "jerry rig" that wortks halfway? The other option is to buy a Trifuel generator already set up to run gasoline/propane/natural gas.
Dale

 

[Phils]

I converted a gen I had to propane. It had wheels and a handle but "portable" wasn't a way I'd describe it. It was an EX5500 Honda.

I had to order the conversion kit from a local carb shop but it was easy enough to install. It's just a spacer installed on the top of the carb, with whatever modifications are necessary to space the air cleaner brackets properly. There's holes around the inside of the spacer to provide propane to the engine. You'll need to attach the hoses, adapters, fuel pressure regulators and shut off. I don't think I'd try making the kit myself.

I've also had tri-fuel generators. Once converted to propane I usually remove the 'gas' components (like float, needle valve, etc.) and plug the carb vent lines. Currently my main gen is propane and I have a rarely-used backup that is still gas powered. Propane is certainly my preference for powering generators.

How big of a generator?

Phil

 

[Dale_Alan]

I am thinking about converting a 9KW generator. Talked with generator folks today and they said their warranty would be voided if I put the conversion on the generator. He urged me to consider a tri-fuel by Winco. By the time you buy the conversion stuff, it is close to the price of a tri-fuel. So that is probably the way I will go.
Dale

 

[tommu56]

I used a beam regulator to do dual conversion on my generator at my cabin the only differance from link I tapped the ports in to the carb before it for gas in and after for vacuume to regulator. bump primer about 2 times and pull (harder to start with recoil) fires right off with electric start no primer needed. if it will void your warranty get anther carb and tap it and keep orignal for backup/ warranty.

he re is link to one with adaptor plate
Generator Dual Fuel Propane Conversion

tom

 

[MrJimi]

Dale, you will want to consider the cost of conversion, the cost of propane fuel, containers for fuel and your time and running around and the usual problems that go with a ( sounds easy project )
And the cost of the other gen.
Jim

 

[tlbuser]

Dale, you will want to consider the cost of conversion, the cost of propane fuel, containers for fuel and your time and running around and the usual problems that go with a ( sounds easy project )
And the cost of the other gen.
Jim

Biggest consideration (to me) would be how often generator is used. If in a standby setup or infrequent use, propane will not "go bad" in the tank nor will it gum up the carb. assembly. For a genset of that size, you could get away with using a 20lb. tank and regualtor assembly from a propane grill.

Last kit I bought was less than 200.00 shipped

 

[CurlyDave]

I have been thinking about this question for a few months now, and I am coming to believe that I am better off just learning to deal with storing gasoline.

A 5-gallon gas can is $6 at WalMart, so I can keep 50 gallons (more than enough for any short-term power outage) on hand for $60. Add in about $10 for a quart of Stabil, and I am all set. I plan to rotate the fuel, by putting about 10 gallons per month in the tank of my pickup and re-filling the cans. Since the Stabil should keep the gas good for a year, and I will refresh it at less than 6 month intervals, I don't think I have a problem.

This has a huge cost advantage, and a second feature that I rarely see mentoned. I can imagine many types of emergencies where 50 gallons of fuel that can be used in either the generator, or my vehicle, or my chainsaw, or traded for something else, would be a lot more useful than any amount of propane, which is not usable in a vehicle.

 

[midlf]

CurlyDave - you have some good reasons for deciding to go the gas route. The only thing I would also do, if you are not already going to do this, is to store that large amount of gas somewhere other than your attached garage, garage, barn, tractor shed or whatever. I would get one of those outdoor storage cabinet/minibuldings, now available in plastic, and set it up away from things I value.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

CurlyDave - you have some good reasons for deciding to go the gas route. The only thing I would also do, if you are not already going to do this, is to store that large amount of gas somewhere other than your attached garage, garage, barn, tractor shed or whatever. I would get one of those outdoor storage cabinet/minibuldings, now available in plastic, and set it up away from things I value.

There is absolutely no way I would use one of those plastic buildings. Gas FUMES/VAPORS are flamable/explosive. You want to store gasoline in a sealed container but also in a well ventilated area. So you are better off storing it in something that will allow the vapors to spread and disapate such that they are not contained and explosive if you end up with any sort of a leak. It makes perfect sense (and probably is mandated by fire code) to store large quantities of gasoline in a separate structure, just make sure the structure has plenty of airflow. Remember also that gas vapors tend to pool so you want vents are the base of the storage building around the perimeter.

As for generators, I prefer a tri-fuel unit. Most gas generators only run for about 6 hours before needing to be refilled. We had an 8 day outage during an ice storm when temps hit -20 for the lows and -5 for the highs. The generator ran nearly non-stop during that timespan and there is no way I could have stored enough gasoline to keep the house modestly warm during that time period. We were completely snowed in for the first 3.5 days of that period and thankfully had 4wd so we could get out on days 4 and 5. The streets were not actually open until late day 5. I have my generator running on Natural Gas. Should I not have access to that, I typically have 2 or 3 propane tanks on the property and should I run out of that there is typically 5 to 10 gallons of gas.

 

[midlf]

Bob S - good point on ventilation.

 

[Highbeam]

Bobs, you could also pull from your automotive fuel tanks.

 

[CurlyDave]

There is absolutely no way I would use one of those plastic buildings.

I had been planning on a plastic shed, but you raise an excellent point about ventillation.

I don't have the natural gas option, which would be a strong contender if I did.

Now I have to think about a proper storage building.

 

[sandman2234]

They make actual buildings to store flamables in. You should see them around most manufacturing facilities (are there any left?) or at the auctions of the same. Getting to be fairly common at auctions...
I did the last real hurricane with 24 hours down time on the power at my house, but over a week with my mother in law, and around the corner, my sister in law. An 8kw generator on a Bobcat welder works great, but consumes a LOT of GASOLINE!!!
I got an offer from a friend to buy it, for 25% more than I paid for it new, and it was 15 years old. Never abused, just used.
I used some of the proceeds to buy a PTO type of generator for my Steiner Lawn mower. It has a 3 cylinder Kubota diesel engine, which ended my fuel storage problems in an emergency.
I figure I can store about 3-4 days worth of fuel in my JD tractor if I need it, and if things really get bad, I might have to siphon off some (I didn't say this!!) of the companies 235 gallons of fuel in the tractor I drive home every day.
Note: I haven't checked, but I am sure it is a firing offense to siphon fuel out of my companies truck, so it had better be a real emergency. Hopefully in case of power outage in excess of 3-4 days, I would have gotten permission to purchase at least a few gallons, since it is in their interest to provide me with power to run a bath before coming into work, at least after 3-4 days of not having one.
David from jax

 

[david12171951]

I am here to ask for help but 1st: During hurricane Rita I used 468 gallons of gasoline for my generator. Then came along Hurricanes Humberto and Ike. Any way at $4.60 cent a gallon and trying to find any gas. also in about 3 days the local propane dealer was delivering I want my new genetaor to be multifuel!! I am partially disabiled so here goes: My new generator: Briggs & Stratton 7000w, model 030470, Briggs engine model 250035-0110-B1. Is there and where may i get a propane conversion for this unit, propane and gasoline dual fuel. Also a remote start for it. I want everything huh? PLEASE HELP ANYONE. Dave

 

[Licklog]

I am here to ask for help but 1st: During hurricane Rita I used 468 gallons of gasoline for my generator. Then came along Hurricanes Humberto and Ike. Any way at $4.60 cent a gallon and trying to find any gas. also in about 3 days the local propane dealer was delivering I want my new genetaor to be multifuel!! I am partially disabiled so here goes: My new generator: Briggs & Stratton 7000w, model 030470, Briggs engine model 250035-0110-B1. Is there and where may i get a propane conversion for this unit, propane and gasoline dual fuel. Also a remote start for it. I want everything huh? PLEASE HELP ANYONE. Dave

I converted my generator a couple of years ago. Here is the web site of the company I used:

Briggs Propane Natural Gas Generators

The link shows the Briggs generators although not your specific number. I would suggest you contact them directly to confirm. I did the conversion myself and it was very easy. They offer a variety of options for fuel type and I opted for the tri-fuel (that you are looking for). They also offer to convert your carburetor for free. So it is really a good deal.

Don't know of any availability for a remote starter. Briggs web site says that they don't offer one because the engine does not have an automatic choke.

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/ge...mote starters for my portable generators.aspx

Licklog

 

[tommu56]

go to the link in my other post for a high presure regulator it will take some mechinical work to install.

I put one of these on mine

Auto Roll 2 Channel RF Remote Control

along with 2 automotive relays

Amazon.com: 12 VDC Automotive Relay SPDT 30/40A: Electronics

Amazon.com: 12 VDC 5-PIN RELAY SOCKET: Electronics

Amazon.com: In-line ACT Water-resistant Fuse Holder - 10 AWG: Electronics

Use the relays to isolate the generator from the board it cant take the current of the starting solenoid and the second one to ground out the the coil to stop it if its a magneto.
tom

 

[david12171951]

Thanks to the both of you very much. I will do some research on this today. Seems the problem that i am going to have about a remote start is that I have a manual choke on this unit and will have to find a away to add an electric choke to it that i can also operate remotely. Any ideas fellows. Again thanks so much. David

 

[tommu56]

You shouldn't need the choke on propane to get it started on the beams there is an option for a 12v primer i would suggest that but not always necessary. mine has a push button on the regulator to let some propane in to intake to make it easier to start when pulling it.
When cranking it over electrically that produces enough vacuum to kick in the regulator to feed the gas in to the carb.

When I run mine on gasoline if I used premium gas (before ethonal) I never had to choke it with the electric start it did cough and sputter for a second or 2 but it ran ok after that.

recoil starting you needed choke to keep from pulling your arm out of the socket.

 

[firedog]

I bought my kit(s) from US Carburetion.
Generator Conversion Kits to Propane and Natural Gas.

I can run both my 5500W w/briggs&strattion engine and the 10K lincoln welder/generator on gasoline or propane.

 

[david12171951]

Thanks and come to thnk ofit the adapter from what I a reading goes in front of the choke anyway. would be nice to have a electric choke for gasoline use though. Remembering working in the rice fields when i was young, all the tractors where propane and had a primer button on the console to start it from the seat in the morning. Telling off my age and also that i wasn't afraid of hard work, which rice field work is!!