pianotuna wrote:
Hi,
Here is why you loose wattage from a generator:
I am not sure if I understand how this data relates to the output of the generator. Generators (portable power plants, to be technically correct) consist of two separate parts, the actual generator that produces electricity and the motor that turns the generator. The output of a generator is related to the output capacity of the actual generator, not the torque capacity of the motor. As the amperage draw on a generator increases, so does the torque required from the motor. Portable power plants have a governor that automatically increases the amount of fuel to the motor as the torque requirements increase. So the reduced energy of propane vs gasoline have no direct correlation to the output capacity of the generator. It just seems to me (and I am probably wrong), that with propane, the motor would just consume more fuel to achieve the torque necessary to achieve the maximum potential of the generator.
rjxj wrote:
On your lawn mower, did you do the center spud in the carb?
Actual, it is a an extremely simple conversion with no carburetor modification. I just tapped into the intake manifold and use a ball valve to adjust the gas flow and the throttle to adjust air flow. I have them both adjusted to where they need to be, so all I do now is just turn the gas on at the tank, start up and take off. It will run all day or until the gas runs out. I can mow about 7 acres on a single tank.
Here are some pics.
rjxj wrote:
You may be able to set up a crude propane feed before you invest in converting it. It's obviously not the safe way to run any propane system but it can be done for testing.
I just started my 13,500. It's 72 degrees out and it pulled 13 amps at start and settled into a 6 amp draw. Still doesn't give us a starting head pressure figure.
Good idea. I think I will test it out with a crude system. I found some specs for my unit but they did not define the start up and run amps. It says that my units compressor draws 11.3 amps and the blower motor draws 2.5 amps. That's a total of 13.8 amps. Using an online amps to watts conversion tool, 13.8 amps at 115 volts equals 1587 watts.
On the label it says that it is 13,500 BTU/ 1530 Hearter watts. I am not sure what Hearter watts is, but that 1530 is not far off the 1587 watts I got in my calculation. Of course, I am not sure if anything if any of this is relevant.
Label from my unit.
Arizona Kid wrote:
Ethanol can cause problems, but most carb gumming comes from sitting too long, and not properly exercising the gen-set, which will also cause rust on the windings, and rings.
I have had several small engines (some brand new) that have had trouble as a result of ethanol gas. At first I did not know what was causing the issues. When I took them in for repair I was told by the small engine mechanics (that do this for a living) that ethanol laden gasoline destroys modern small engines. They said that the problem is caused because the ethanol can separate in as little as 2 weeks causing water in the tank that will cause corrosion and gumming in the tiny carburetors and glazing on the cylinder walls. They said that 90% of their business now days is repairing small engines that have been destroyed by ethanol gas.
The good thing (at least for me) is I get a lot of small engines for free now days as a result of this. I just convert them to propane and they never have another problem. I got this brand new riding lawnmower for free 2 years ago and have been using it to mow my 2 acre lawn.
