INCREASING FUEL TANK CAAPACITY ON GAS (PETROL) GENERATOR

[Aussiebushman]

A new Subaru/Robin 2500W generator is on its way to replace a failed unit under warranty. That is the good news.

The bad news is that it comes with a silly little fuel tank giving around 2.5 hour running time and I need twice that to make it practical. A "long range" tank is available for "only" about $400 when the freight is included and I figure that is one of the best rip-offs in some time. That is nearly a third of the cost of the complete generator/engine unit.

Has anyone fitted a T-piece to connect to a second tank? I figure a t-piece, hose and the second tank might cost all-up $40 plus a bit of work to make a bracket

OR, maybe it might be simpler just to replace the existing tank with a second-hand one from another old generator, motor-bike, outboard motor etc

All suggestions welcome

Alan

 

[flyerdan]

If it needs to remain somewhat portable, maybe plumb in one of those outboard motor fuel disconnects that seals itself when unhooked. Then you could use the internal tank or plug in whatever size tank you wanted, as long as you put that hose fitting on it. Don't know if you'd need a valve to switch sources, but I'd probably try and put one in so it wouldn't suck air from a dry tank.

 

[MossRoad]

Make sure the highest fuel level in each tank is at the same level. If its not and the fuel caps are vented (most small engines are), you'll fill the higher tank and it will come out of the other tank's fuel cap (or vent), causing a possible fire hazard.

 

[jenkinsph]

Rather than modify a new genset plumbing and risk loosing the warranty try this.

Buy an extra fuel cap for your genset and install a fuel fitting for an outboard motor tank to it. Make sure it is sealed without venting. This will move the venting to the external tank and draw fuel into the genset tank as it is used up. You can use this extended run set up or use the original vented fuel cap for more portable uses without the outboard tank.


Honda gensets with small onboard tanks have been using this method for several years.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Rather than modify a new genset plumbing and risk loosing the warranty try this.

Buy an extra fuel cap for your genset and install a fuel fitting for an outboard motor tank to it. Make sure it is sealed without venting. This will move the venting to the external tank and draw fuel into the genset tank as it is used up. You can use this extended run set up or use the original vented fuel cap for more portable uses without the outboard tank.


Honda gensets with small onboard tanks have been using this method for several years.

This works well with Hondas because thy have an internal fuel pump. You can do a similar setup but may have to rely on gravity to fill the generator tank from the storage one (can't find any pictures/data for a Subaru genny). Youtube has a bunch of videos for both setups, just look at extra gas for generator. Either way, it can be done with just some tubing and a tank.

 

[BHD]

I once had a 250 gallon tank out side the generator shed, ( it was fuel oil tank I bought on an auction for $5),
it is had to keep gasoline long term, (unless it is in a sealed tank) which violates most codes,
now I have a 1000 gallon propane tank,

on the gasoline either elevate so it can gravity feed, is the easiest, if an electric start some times a low pressure electric pump can be used,

 

[jenkinsph]

This works well with Hondas because thy have an internal fuel pump. You can do a similar setup but may have to rely on gravity to fill the generator tank from the storage one (can't find any pictures/data for a Subaru genny). Youtube has a bunch of videos for both setups, just look at extra gas for generator. Either way, it can be done with just some tubing and a tank.

I suspect most of the new compact inverter generators have a fuel pump. Being compact they also have small fuel tanks too. The large open frame generators have larger fuel tanks and much higher noise levels. Not a fan of those critters.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks Folks

This is a standard - not inverter generator and the existing tank is gravity fed. You are right about sealing the cap of the existing tank but the plumbing is not as easy as it first seemed. A conversion cap is available but only for Honda and various suppliers cannot or will not sell a modified version to fit the Subaru. For the reasons several of you have stated, there are danger and warranty issue to consider

An aftermarket 5 gallon tank is available delivered here from the US for only about $A140 so that would be the best option - a whole lot better than the $400 wanted by the local distributor. Now the new unit has arrived, I'll check the frame dimensions to ensure a new tank will fit without too much work.

 

[buickanddeere]

Does it have a low oil shut off ?

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks Folks

This is a standard - not inverter generator and the existing tank is gravity fed. You are right about sealing the cap of the existing tank but the plumbing is not as easy as it first seemed. A conversion cap is available but only for Honda and various suppliers cannot or will not sell a modified version to fit the Subaru. For the reasons several of you have stated, there are danger and warranty issue to consider

An aftermarket 5 gallon tank is available delivered here from the US for only about $A140 so that would be the best option - a whole lot better than the $400 wanted by the local distributor. Now the new unit has arrived, I'll check the frame dimensions to ensure a new tank will fit without too much work.

My thought was to buy an extra fuel cap and convert it yourself. Simple project to mate a fuel cap and fuel tank connector together imo.