Conversion to propane

[Gozo]

I’m thinking of converting my Dewalt generator to propane. It’s a 6000w unit with a Honda engine. We occasionally get outages here and there in the height of the heat of the summer, during winter storms, or hurricanes. Usually 6 hours or so, so more of a pain in the neck that anything traumatic. More than that of an outage, and I lug out the generator to keep the few essentials going (fridge and such).

I keep a 5 gal gas can filled in case, and dump it into the vehicle every 3-4 months and then refill it, when I remember. Which is once in a while.

I want something that I can store longer and not have to keep cleaning the gunk out of the tank and carb, so thinking of converting to propane or dual fuel.
Anyone done one of those conversions where an atomizer type thingy injects low pressure gas between the air filter and carb venturi?

Not a real high dollar conversion, but I don’t want to get started on something like that if its mostly snake oil. (which might also be a good alternate fuel)

What’s been the experiences with those that have traveled this road before me?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

a model # on the generator would be helpful as there are many kinds of conversion kits out there

Dewalt DXGNR7000 Tri-Fuel Kit

<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Century Fuel Products generator conversion kit for the Dewalt DXGNR7000 will allow you to run your generator on Natural Gas or a portable propane tank. It includes an adapter that will be attached to the carburetor

centuryfuelproducts.com

 

[American Locomotive]

One thing to consider is the size of your propane tank. As your draw propane out of the tank, the liquid propane in the tank boils and gets cold. As it cools down, the propane pressure drops. Each tank has a maximum "BTU/hr" of propane it can sustain.

A 20 pound grill tank will not run a 6,000 watt generator at full load for very long before it starts to freeze. It will probably manage a very light load for a little while, though. At full load, I would expect to need a 65 or 100 gallon tank to maintain it.

 

[Gozo]

It’s a Dewalt DG6000, engine is Honda GX340. We have a 30# and 20# tank and probably will load the generator down with 1500, maybe 2kw at most. I could sit the tank where the exhaust warms it if need be.
Was getting some input from GJ before going that route.

 

[American Locomotive]

The 30 gallon tank could probably hold down 1500w. The guys Wyliediesels linked seemed to have a generic GX340 kit. But there are two different versions - one for low pressure propane like you'd find on a house. The other is not clear, but I suspect it has a regulator meant to go onto a tank. Probably best to call or email them.

 

[chris142]

Does anyone make a diesel fueled generator? Diesel doesn't clog stuff up or go bad like gas does.

 

[bluedog225]

My Champion 7800 (ish) will run 3/4 of a 20 lb tank per workday.

 

[Galaxywide]

While not as long lived as propane, ethanol free gas with stabil in it lasts at least a year, and I suspect easily double that. E10 gas, on the other hand, is lucky to not gum up a carb in 3 months.

 

[Firebrick43]

A 6000 watt generator will put out 5500 Watts on propane.

5500 watts will require 110,000 btus per hour at FULL load. Of course a portable genny would puke if required to put this out continuously.

A 200 lbs cylinder will vaporize a full load (5500 Watt) at 50 degrees or higher. But again, the genny couldn't handle that load continuously.

A 100 lbs cylinder (25 gallons) will vaporize a half load (2750 Watt) at 30 degrees F which is more realistic. Peak loads can be handled, these numbers are continuous withdrawal rates. This rate and the one above are maintained down to 25 percent of tank level. Higher rates at higher levels.

A 420 lbs (100 gallon bottle) is not needed.

A 30 lbs grill bottle will vaporize a 1000 Watt continuous load at 30 degrees F, 1500watts at 60 plus.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Does anyone make a diesel fueled generator? Diesel doesn't clog stuff up or go bad like gas does.

youre kidding right? diesel can get algae in it which will clog the fuel system

 

[wyliesdiesels]

While not as long lived as propane, ethanol free gas with stabil in it lasts at least a year, and I suspect easily double that. E10 gas, on the other hand, is lucky to not gum up a carb in 3 months.

dont get me started on the E85 scam....

 

[Gozo]

Hence my thoughts on propane. Less likely to gum up or go bad, and I can also use it for barbecue. I guess I could use gasoline for that as well, but I’m not that adventurous.

 

[chris142]

youre kidding right? diesel can get algae in it which will clog the fuel system

Doesn't seem to be a problem here. Maybe in humid places? My Peterbilt sat 20+ years unused and not started. Drove it home on the old fuel and never had any trouble from it.

 

[fitter30]

Champion 7k generator put a lp conversion on it that had a adaptor plate for the carb and a regulator. Piped off a 500 gallon tank used for cooking and emergency heat. When starting in real cold weather start it with gas then switch to lp. Starts easier with gas summer doesn't matter. If you have to buy a tank have to look at vapor pressure vrs size of tank and line/ regulator btu capacity.

 

[nadogail]

I am of the impression that engines running on propane build up less contamination in their cylinders and crankcases.

 

[65ranchero]

I have a whole house standby gen that is built for LPG or NG
Being that we don't have NG, LPG was the choice , I have never had a problem in the middle of winter with startup
it's fed from a 120 gallon tank no issues.

 

[Gozo]

engines running on propane build up less contamination in their cylinders and crankcases.

That was one of the reasons for thinking of converting. Still looking for someone that’s travelled this road before me.
I may jump in anyway and let y’all know how it goes.
Too hot right now for tinkering in the garage.

 

[TractorJeff]

IMO! This thread is dedicated to Emergency scenarios of needing Power. I don't see where Full Load is part of the criteria?
After living in a cabin for a week in the summer on a Honda Inverter Generator. The Refrigerator and Freezer are less than 5 amps (typical) at best for short periods. The window Air Conditioner runs in the evening till bed time and the Electric Hot Water tank are the only REAL Continuous loads a system would see! Both of these typically don't run at the same time, unless your Wife insists on showering before bed. Even then you can shut off the Breaker to the Hot Water tank till morning when you get up. This reduces the evening Load requirements and Fuel Consumption. A winter time Furnace modulates also which creates a varying Load Cycle.
Yes! The Furnace and or Freezer/Fridge may come on at the same time. I would not consider these to be Longer enough durations to cause Fuel Withdrawal issues?

 

[Gozo]

Anyway, got the generator converted over to propane (should run dual fuel) and once I got the air:fuel adjusted right, it did just fine. Now I’m ready for the power outages during the hurricane onslaught.
And since I’m ready, fate will move the storms in a different direction. I’m 100% OK with that.

 

[dcg9381]

For me, I simply buy non-ethanol fuel (used to buy AV gas) - both of which will keep for a year. Like you, I wanted dual fuel to be a thing for an emergency, so I started buying duel fuel generators. Be aware that generator won't handle as much load on propane and you may be surprised how much propane it goes through.

As a test, I ran a 2500i Champion generator on a 20lb bottle of propane. I hooked it up to my camper, which has a 15K AC unit, set the camper on 82 degrees. That setup will run for 14 hours. But it's the smallest generator I have. That generator advertises like 33-36 hours of run time on a 20 lb bottle. I was running it hard for break in, but it wasn't close to rated run time.

We can refill propane on site (gravity feed). The biggest "standby" bottle of propane you can get is 100lbs, but they are a pain the *** to transport...

 

[toyotadriver]

I did a propane conversion of a Champion generator. I used a Motor Snorkel kit. After a couple initial bugs (fixed by the company), it has worked fine.

I would look at Nash Fuel if I was installing one today.

 

[toyotadriver]

I run my Champion generator on propane. Ran for almost 24 hrs last power outage a few weeks ago. I like the 40 lb tank size. Large enough to have a long run time but relatively easy to transport for refilling. Roughly 9 gallons of propane when full.

 

[toyotadriver]

For me, I simply buy non-ethanol fuel (used to buy AV gas) - both of which will keep for a year. Like you, I wanted dual fuel to be a thing for an emergency, so I started buying duel fuel generators. Be aware that generator won't handle as much load on propane and you may be surprised how much propane it goes through.

As a test, I ran a 2500i Champion generator on a 20lb bottle of propane. I hooked it up to my camper, which has a 15K AC unit, set the camper on 82 degrees. That setup will run for 14 hours. But it's the smallest generator I have. That generator advertises like 33-36 hours of run time on a 20 lb bottle. I was running it hard for break in, but it wasn't close to rated run time.

We can refill propane on site (gravity feed). The biggest "standby" bottle of propane you can get is 100lbs, but they are a pain the *** to transport...

Did the propane run out or did it just freeze up the bottle stopping the flow of propane?

 

[dcg9381]

Did the propane run out or did it just freeze up the bottle stopping the flow of propane?

At 13.x hours, I checked on it (ran it overnight). It was still running, but minimal propane left. You're right to point out that in a cold environment this bottle would have been "done" already.. I believe it was 90-100 degrees in the shop when I did the test.

I have had the "freeze" issues you're talking about with higher capacity generators, when running them in the winter. Frankly, I've had to "warm" the bottles in at least one case where things got bad.

 

[Firebrick43]

If you want to use smaller bottles for ease of transport there are manifold hoses/kits to tie two tanks together and still have the withdrawal capacity in colder weather