โFeb-16-2021 06:45 AM
โFeb-19-2021 07:56 AM
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Power outages can affect NG supply.....
NG pumping/booster stations need power also
โFeb-19-2021 06:44 AM
โFeb-18-2021 06:49 AM
valhalla360 wrote:Gdetrailer wrote:
In fact, since I bought my bigger gen it has clocked 6 hrs since I bought it about 5 yrs ago..
Wow, that works out to something on the order of $1000/hr.
I can live with rebooting the computer and going out to start the generator for a $1000/hr.
โFeb-18-2021 04:21 AM
Gdetrailer wrote:
In fact, since I bought my bigger gen it has clocked 6 hrs since I bought it about 5 yrs ago..
โFeb-17-2021 07:35 AM
valhalla360 wrote:Gdetrailer wrote:
Are they going to be interested in dragging the gen out, checking oil level, hooking up to natural gas, pull start and then run extension cords all over the place?
........
If your power is going out once or twice a month or for days at a time, I could buy your argument.
If it's once or twice a year for a few hours, not so much.
We've never found ourselves in the first case.
Of course, you can do a hybrid solution. Get an electric start portable and build a vented doghouse for storage in the yard. Generally if it's not going to be weeks (never have seen that), I want the fridge, freezer, and furnace running. Maybe add the entertainment center. A portable can easily handle that. That doesn't require a host of extension cords around the house and if it concerns, you run them semi-permanent where they are tucked up out of the way.
If I was having regular power outages, I would look into if the well pump could be replaced with a 120v version.
โFeb-17-2021 03:38 AM
Gdetrailer wrote:
Are they going to be interested in dragging the gen out, checking oil level, hooking up to natural gas, pull start and then run extension cords all over the place?
........
โFeb-16-2021 02:02 PM
Snowman9000 wrote:
Thanks all. My DD and SIL live in TX and are now thinking about a simple generator. Knowing their ways, a gasoline one will end up not working when they need it. So Iโm looking into the LP and natural gas options. I see that the dual fuel version of the Champion 2000 inverter is $500 more than the gasoline only version. Yikes.
โFeb-16-2021 01:23 PM
Snowman9000 wrote:
Thanks all. My DD and SIL live in TX and are now thinking about a simple generator. Knowing their ways, a gasoline one will end up not working when they need it. So Iโm looking into the LP and natural gas options. I see that the dual fuel version of the Champion 2000 inverter is $500 more than the gasoline only version. Yikes.
โFeb-16-2021 01:00 PM
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I have converted three generators to natural gas from liquid gasoline fuel. All three were subsequently fired with modified Impco carburetors and all three were operated at +5,000 ft altitude.
Subsequent loading of the pair of 12,000 watt Onans, caused them to run out of prime mover power at 8-9,000 watts depending on temperature. After much debate a switch to JAHNS cast pistons was made. The domed pistons were thought to raise the compression ratio to above 10 to one from 8 to one. The engines were overhauled and assembled in Reno, NV.
The second type of engine was a Wisconsin V4 valve in block 37.5 original horsepower prime mover. The cylinder heads were cut .125" to raise compression. The assembly work was done on site.
Starting the engines then fine-tuning the air fuel ratio was am experience in maintaining patience.
Out of the box, the IMPCO carburetors would not allow the engines to fire. The main mixer orifice was enlarged .010" at a time. This was done by a propane mechanic thank god.
Enriching the mixture had solid repercussions. Too rich and the air cooled engines would overheat. Definition of overheat: In the dark the exhaust manifolds would glow dully red.
What a time-waster! Avoiding overheating the engines was a challenge. Industrial 240 fans were used in the gen sheds to flood both engines with ambient air.
Over temp shutdown was used on both systems with 290 degree block sensors used as a thermal limit. At that temp, engine lube oil temps were found to be in excess of 300F. I taught the caretaker how to parallel the pair of Onan generators.
NOTE: I was not satisfied with the outcome of this work. Moreso on the OHV Onans than the Wisconsin. Trying to equal or surpass the gasoline output resulted in engine overheating. My recommendation of using diesel replacement units was dismissed. The objection was based on a slight possibility of wind shift and diesel smell. 2nd Objection was maintenance involving dirty diesel lube oil.
But the corporation "principals" smiled and cut the checks.
โFeb-16-2021 12:43 PM
โFeb-16-2021 12:25 PM
โFeb-16-2021 11:10 AM
bukhrn wrote:
I'm confused, how many places do you RV/camp that has NG available ?
โFeb-16-2021 11:08 AM
โFeb-16-2021 10:52 AM
ktmrfs wrote:Gdetrailer wrote:ktmrfs wrote:bgum wrote:
It is my understanding that nothing other than piping in natural gas. The change will have a slight effect on watts produced vs fuel consumption.
NOPE. you will need to change the orifice (jet) to go from propane to NG. Same as you would for a BBQ, patio heater, stove, oven etc.
My honda generators have been converted to tri-fuel, The NG orifice is definitely different than the propane orifice.
ktmrfs has it right, even though you are using gas "vapors" with propane or natural, they have differences which changes the fuel to air ratio and pressure delivery will be different between the two..
On carbed small engines, it would be better to add a natural gas conversion kit or specifically designed trifuel carb since there may not be any "orifice" to change like BBQ grills and other "appliances".
See HERE
Per link above ..
"Champion 76533 Natural Gas Kit. This kit fits the Champion 76533 Dual Fuel generator and adds the ability to run it on Natural Gas."
That PN kit is from CENTURY FUEL PRODUCTS and is add on kit including a special natural gas demand regulator..
Additional mods to gen frame may also be required and at $169 is not cheap either.
I did find a "Trifuel" carb made specifically for ability to use gas, propane or natural gas HERE for $28 and typically should fit most Honda "clone" engines 6.5HP-7.5HP (GX170-GX200) which is most likely your better way to go!
It IS a "replacement" carb so you will have to remove your existing dual fuel carb.
Found a YouTube video HERE showing a Champion gen conversion using this carb from Amazon..
yup, when I did my honda conversions the purchase options were dual fuel (gas or propane) or tri fuel (gas, propane, natural gas). switching between propane and natural gas requires changing the orifice as well as adjusting the demand regulator. the kit I have uses the stock carb along with adapter plate and an external Century KN low pressure demand regulator.
The kit I have allows tri fuel use without messing with the carb once the kit was installed, but it uses the same century pressure demand regulator.