TEXACMAN
Well-known member
We have had several outages over the years and I would like a propane generator for shop or house backup power . Anyone have experience with Generac or other propane generators?
Anyone have portable propane generator?
- Thread starter TEXACMAN
- Start date
Duck tape Bill
Well-known member
My brother/sister in law have had one (not sure what brand though) for at least two years now, and have used is during several power outages we have had during that time. I think they are happy with it, and I haven't heard of them having any trouble with it. The one they have doesn't run the whole house, but it's enough for their two refrigerators and a light or two.
I like the idea of using propane over gas since you don't have the issues related to ethanol & storing gas for a long time.
I like the idea of using propane over gas since you don't have the issues related to ethanol & storing gas for a long time.
An area you might investagate, buy a generator and convert.
I had a 6500w generator that I used for construction of my first house. I now use it for back up and converted it to Tri fuel, gasoline, propane and natural gas. The conversion was easy and while I run it on natural gas, I have used all three since the conversion (do you have natural gas at your home?)
I had a 6500w generator that I used for construction of my first house. I now use it for back up and converted it to Tri fuel, gasoline, propane and natural gas. The conversion was easy and while I run it on natural gas, I have used all three since the conversion (do you have natural gas at your home?)
skulldrinker
Well-known member
If you don't have a giant propane tank in the yard what would you use? those bbq size tanks?
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Forget the 20# tanks. They won't last long enough. 100# would be minimum and even then I would have 2. Usually this size is exchanged, which means there is a deposit or lease fee and a fee for delivery.
You are probably better off buying a 250-500 gallon tank and burying it.
aandpdan
Well-known member
Buy the one you want and then convert it, it's easy.
How big a tank you need depends upon the engine size and temperature. Propane "boils" off in the tank to produce the gas you burn.
How big a tank you need depends upon the engine size and temperature. Propane "boils" off in the tank to produce the gas you burn.
skulldrinker
Well-known member
Using a small propane tank would it even be any different than use 5 gallons of gas? What's it last 10 12 hours? What I gathered from converting over to natural gas was the benefit of the inexpensive fuel and no need to go to the gas station in an emergency because the stations might be out of gas or in a real **** hits the fan emergency they may raise the price to $20 a gallon. Plus your car might be upside down if it was a tornado. The station might be 5 miles away. At least with natural gas you won't get the bill until next month but at least you'll have survived that week long disaster. Around me the suburbs don't use those giant propane tanks I don't know what your going to do about keeping a supply or how you're going to get more if you run out. Propane refill stations are not on every corner if you choose big 100# tanks.
The company I used no longer has a web page. However a web search produced many, including: http://www.propanecarbs.com/naturalgaskits.html.
bjmac
Active member
I have a 10k Generac. It has been in service for 3yrs +. Runs off my 500 gal propane tank. Propane also runs our range, Lopi stove, and Garage heater. Generator powers all of house except dryer. It "exercises" (pushing no load) once a week. We have had several power outages over the past three years from 1 hr to nearly 3 days. It has performed perfectly. I did have to replace the electric choke solenoid, but it failed during the warranty period and the local service rep replaced it. I love the security of knowing it will run our home whether we are here or not. Propane use is minimal.
NWOhioChevyGuy
Well-known member
Check out these guys, I plan to purchase one of their units when I get the funds saved up for emergency back up. Looking at the portable 15000W unit due to the engine and 50 Amp service hook up.
http://www.generatorsales.com/propane-generators.asp
Simple not all the bells and whistles to have problems with and not converted to LP built to run that way.
LP can be stored for long times with out going bad unlike gasoline. Also if you rely on natural gas being piped in what happens when their pumping station does not have power, or its the "Big" one.
http://www.generatorsales.com/propane-generators.asp
Simple not all the bells and whistles to have problems with and not converted to LP built to run that way.
LP can be stored for long times with out going bad unlike gasoline. Also if you rely on natural gas being piped in what happens when their pumping station does not have power, or its the "Big" one.
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nehog
Well-known member
A 20 lb tank holds about 4 gallons if properly filled. Most exchange places only fill to 3 gallons (or less) as a way to increase their profits. As well a gallon of propane has less energy than a gallon of gasoline, so though gallons they won't compare equally.
I'm lucky, I can have my gas delivery guy fill my BBQ tanks when he fills my main tank for the garage and he will fill them all the way (since I'm paying per gallon, that's to his advantage.)
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Blue Rhino only puts 15# in a 20# tank. Says so on the label.
My refill station cracks the overflow (?) bleed valve and fills until LP vents.
I have a Master 10kw w/20hp Honda it was orginally gas and I converted it to LP. I have had it 10 years. My thought then was for as often as I would use it I didnt want to deal with gasoline problems in the carb etc. I have a 10ft Mr. Heater flex hose and currently have 2 100# tanks at some point I will have a bulk tank installed. My dad bought a Generac 6kw last summer he let it sit for 2 months and the carb was gummed up on it. Biggest PITA on mine is it has electric start and the battery goes dead from sitting for long periods of time, at some point I am going to rig up one of those solar battery maintainer deals.
willymakeit
Well-known member
Im glad this thread came up. Ive been reseaching a tri fuel conversion for my Miller/Onan welder generator. Any suggestions for a good kit or has someone built their own. I hear conflicting stories but most seems to be on the size of hole to drill in the choke plate.
txst
Well-known member
Generac makes 2 LP powered portable generators - an LP3250 and an LP5500. The LP5500 is a really nice unit, designed to run on LP. The problem with the conversions is that they are not designed by the manufacturer of the engine or the generator, so you are taking your chances. It is nice not to worry about stale fuel gumming up the carbs with LP, and if gas stations dont have power, you can always pick up a LP cylinder.
There are other cheap Chinese LP generators, but I would stay away from them.
There are other cheap Chinese LP generators, but I would stay away from them.
retfr8flyr
Well-known member
My system isn't portable but I have a Generac 17K unit, run from my 500 gal propane tank, that backs up most of my house electrical system. Where I live we loose power quite often and I wouldn't want to be without a backup generator.
This setup is my second generator. I installed a Generac 10K unit when I built the house 13 years ago and it finally failed last year, after much use. I once ran the generator continuously for 2 weeks, after hurricane damage. It was actually cheaper to replace the old system with a new one then to repair the old one. I increased to the 17K so that I could add my upstairs heat pump to the system.
This setup is my second generator. I installed a Generac 10K unit when I built the house 13 years ago and it finally failed last year, after much use. I once ran the generator continuously for 2 weeks, after hurricane damage. It was actually cheaper to replace the old system with a new one then to repair the old one. I increased to the 17K so that I could add my upstairs heat pump to the system.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Well .... It is a very low risk ! The technology and parts have been around for a long time.
If I found a god deal on a generator that did not come with factory LP, I would not immediately reject it.
Limo57
Member
I have done business with the company above and they are a great company to do business with. Their customer service is second to none. Great Company
txst
Well-known member
I'm not saying that it won't work, but engines and carburetors are not exactly simple things. How much validation testing do you think a 3rd party has to do selling these kits? Manufacturers of engines and generators have to have them EPA certified, and they have to warranty the engines. There are so many loopholes for 3rd party manufacturers so that they "can compete with the big guys". If the engine goes lean at high loads, damage to the engine can and will occur. Also, an engine designed for gasoline is not the same as an engine designed for LP or NG. There are some tri-fuel generators out there, but the manufacturer has made the compromise in the fuel calibrations to get it to run acceptably on all 3 fuels. Having designed engines for the last several years of my career, I have seen this first hand.
I just found the larger generac with propane on Home Depot's site, I am definitely looking at the option of changing gas to trifuel also . Thanks for all the info , keep it coming , it will help me decide. I am probably going with around 5500w to keep it portable .shamrock12
Well-known member
This thread has gotten me wondering if there is a quick, safe way to hook-up propane supply to the portable generator? It would be stored inside the shop but when emergency power is needed, it will need to be rolled outside and then hooked up to the propane supply line. We have a 1000 gallon tank which would be ideal fuel source for long duration outage.
aandpdan
Well-known member
Yes, it exists. You can get quick connects, basically bigger versions of what you use on your air lines, so you can quickly connect your generator or gas grill.
nehog
Well-known member
Check your gas supplier and see what the connector on the tank is. My 120 gallon tank for the shop uses the same one as a BBQ 20 lb tank (and a 100 lb tank, too...)
Easy to use a quick disconnect/ This is exactly what I did when I had my portable propane Winco generator. The good thing is that when stored inside, there is no deterioration due to weather and there are no fumes. Then roll it outside when needed, connect to the quick connect fitting and away you go.
Tom
Tom
Woolly Bully
Member
Bumping an old thread. We have acquired a propane generator for our shop. My partner thinks we should get two or four 100lb. tanks (no room for larger tank) and hook two up to a manifold, I guess so when one runs out it will switch to the other so we can get the first tank refilled while it runs on the other. Or something like that. Sound like a plan? Would we need to fab a hard pipe manifold, or could we use some kind of RV setup?
DonPowers
Well-known member
Have you considered a dual fuel?
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect...dual fuel generator&utm_campaign=fuel+trifuel
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect...dual fuel generator&utm_campaign=fuel+trifuel
Chris4x4Gill2
Well-known member
I have a Propane Powered Generac and its worked great. Its abotu 9 years old now. No issues out of it at all. Its not a portable unit though, its a 15KW unit on a little slab.
aandpdan
Well-known member
RV auto changeover setup would be the easiest. No need to hard plumb.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Best way to go ! There are conversion kits for most popular portable generators. Check out Motor Snorkle
20 lb tanks are useless for any outage that lasts longer than 24 hours. I don't think a Honda EU2000 would run 24 hours !
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Yes, it is a decent plan, just change the hoses every 5 years or so. A couple of thing to think about.
First, I am not a fan of those "automatic change over" valves. I would rather wait until one tank is completely empty, close its valve by hand and then open the second tanks valve.
Second NEVER CONNECT 2 TANKS TOGETHER ! They will empty at the same rate, meaning you will have to wait until the are both empty. Worse, if you connect a full tank to an empty tank you now have 2 half full tanks !
Third, that 100 lbs tank weight over 70 lbs EMPTY. You are going to need a way to SAFELY move it around and transport it !
Last, you could buy a 420 lb tank (52" high, 30" diameter) and bury it
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Here is what I bought through Home Depot:
http://usesmartertools.com/
I assembled it(what little there was to assemble) and started it using
Propane.
I have not had to use it in the last 14 months.
http://usesmartertools.com/
I assembled it(what little there was to assemble) and started it using
Propane.
I have not had to use it in the last 14 months.
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
I opted for a 500UG Propane tank and 20KW Generac from powerequipmentdirect.com. Runs whole house automatically. Not the cheapest power, but beats the heck out of the portable method. Click picture for whole install story:
aandpdan
Well-known member
While a nice setup not everyone has the same needs.
I get by fine with a 3000 watt generator with an average load of about 1000 watts. I'm burning around 1/2 gallon per hour. I have an interlock and can run anything in the house (gas heat) but why do I need to?
I don't run it at night. No need. The house stays warm and the food cold. It'll run just about 9 hours on a 20# tank, which is almost 3 days for me.
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
I lose power about 8-10 times per year. A portable would drive me nuts. Plus, the worst power outages usually occur during some nasty weather event that I really don't want to be playing outside in.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Portable generators is one area where bigger is NOT necessarily better !
I am a big fan of generator interlock feeds for breaker panels ! About the only down side would be if you are using a 120V generator, you may need to move a load from one leg to the other. No big deal.