Converting Honda generator to propane

[dave54]

Anyone do it?
Pros and cons?

[Dusty_R]

Some places that swap 20# LP tanks, don't fill them to 20#.

[valhalla360]

pianotuna wrote:

Diesel and gasoline are not always avaible at the same "delivery point". Stop for gasoline, move RV to get propane, move again to get diesel.

And yes, I've been at stations that have gasoline and propane but no diesel.

I've never been to a gas station that has diesel and not gasoline...easy enough to walk a 5 gal jug to the gas pump if they aren't at the same location (which they usually are unless you go to a truck stop).

Lots of gas stations don't have propane and vast majority do not have the ability to fill a tank (only swap, so you are limited to 20# BBQ tanks).

Yes, some gas stations don't have diesel...if you have a diesel truck, you probably aren't stopping there in the first place unless it's purely to get fuel for the generator.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I converted and serviced dozens of LPG gensets. The larger ones were Wisconsin V4 37.5 horsepower air cooled.

Intermittent selective loading is the big advantage of LPG fueled generators

Start engine use microwave, shut down.

Start engine charge flooded batteries for 3 hours then shut down.
Nkcase pse
Keep in mind changing over an air cooled generator makes it operate at a significantly higher temperature. This is where I met Pabst ventilation fans.

The engines also gain crankcase pressure meaning oil leaks are increased.

When I ran a one ton pickup exclusively on LPG I built a special engine with 12.t to 1 compression, large valves and special camshaft. The rest was about as much power as stock engine and recovered about half the lost economy. That was several decades ago when scarce Mexican premium gasoline wasn't equal to cheapie USA regular gasoline and butane was ? the price of regular gas.

When switching away from gasoline the benefits should be weighed against the minuses. That pickup had a stake bed on it with a vertically stacked pair of 83 gallon motor fuel tanks.

[Reisender]

I guess for some of us the other pro is transporting and storing gas vice propane. Propane is just easier for us. To each his own.

[ajriding]

The ONE guy that actually answered your question with a pro/con list is correct, and another added that propane does have a cleaner burn and cleaner exhaust.

He also forgot that propane can store a very very long time, but gas has a shelf life.

That's about it for pros unless you are parked on your land with a big underground propane tank or would be using natural gas from the grid. The varnish build up from gas is a minimal one as that can be negated. Worried about replacing spark plugs? Stop, you can't afford propane to begin with.

The big con is the availability of getting propane quick and easy. Gas is easy and everywhere and unless I drive into the big rig section at the back of the travel center gas station there is always a gas hose just inches away. Doing a BBQ tank swap at the gas station or store is not a quick transaction either. The things people come up with just to make a comment...

An e way....

[Skibane]

^An oil sample analysis from Blackstone Labs or similar will tell you if you need to change it more often.

Then again, the analysis is 20 bucks - and a pint of full synthetic oil is only 2 bucks...

[Reisender]

pianotuna wrote:
cons propane is more expensive than gasoline.

generator is some what thirsty for propane

output wattage is some what lowered.

pros

no worries about varnish build up in carburetor

oil changes less frequently

spark plugs last a lot longer.

I'd get a trifuel one--so that natural gas could be used.

Just have fun!

Did not know about the less frequent oil change and spark plug. How less frequent for oil change. We use ours exclusively on propane. Never had gas in the tank.

[Cummins12V98]

I would like to convert my CUMMINS/Onan 220V Commercial 6500LP to Gas. It's VERY thirsty.

[pianotuna]

valhalla360 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:

Skibane wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
The bigger challenge is obtaining and carrying enough propane if you will be using the generator for any length of time.

Is that really any worse than carrying enough gasoline to do the same thing?

If the RV is a diesel with propane cooking/heating, then carrying a gasoline generator is "one more stop" to make.

What stations with diesel are you stopping at that don't have gasoline? I've never seen one.

Diesel and gasoline are not always avaible at the same "delivery point". Stop for gasoline, move RV to get propane, move again to get diesel.

And yes, I've been at stations that have gasoline and propane but no diesel.

[valhalla360]

pianotuna wrote:

Skibane wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
The bigger challenge is obtaining and carrying enough propane if you will be using the generator for any length of time.

Is that really any worse than carrying enough gasoline to do the same thing?

If the RV is a diesel with propane cooking/heating, then carrying a gasoline generator is "one more stop" to make.

What stations with diesel are you stopping at that don't have gasoline? I've never seen one.

[valhalla360]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

What I can't believe is honda hasn't started putting it out as a factory option.

Concur !

Also, I think almost the whole industry is "missing the mark" ! People want a small, quiet, one-hand-carry generator that puts out an honest 2400W (20A @ 120VAC), continuously ! The Westinghouse iGen 2600 is close, but only 2200W continuously.

Besides a propane option, people would pay extra for factory installed external gasoline tank connection.

It's more a Honda issue. Champion has lots of dual fuel options as do other brands.

[theoldwizard1]

valhalla360 wrote:

What I can't believe is honda hasn't started putting it out as a factory option.

Concur !

Also, I think almost the whole industry is "missing the mark" ! People want a small, quiet, one-hand-carry generator that puts out an honest 2400W (20A @ 120VAC), continuously ! The Westinghouse iGen 2600 is close, but only 2200W continuously.

Besides a propane option, people would pay extra for factory installed external gasoline tank connection.

[ktmrfs]

valhalla360 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
cons propane is more expensive than gasoline.

generator is some what thirsty for propane

output wattage is some what lowered.

pros

no worries about varnish build up in carburetor

oil changes less frequently

spark plugs last a lot longer.

I'd get a trifuel one--so that natural gas could be used.

Just have fun!

I like the propane option but:
- At least locally, the cost difference is negligible.
- The bigger challenge is obtaining and carrying enough propane if you will be using the generator for any length of time. I don't want to use the house tanks.

If you are just using it for an hour or two for battery charging not a big deal but if you are running it for 8-10hr per day, it starts becoming an issue.

What I can't believe is honda hasn't started putting it out as a factory option.

I did the hutch mountain tri fuel conversion, not looking at it for use while camping, but ready for use in case of power loss at home. Last year we were lucky, but nearby friends were w/o power for 3-6 days. Hooked up to NG, no problem and I have a transfer switch setup to power furnace and key circuits in the house for lights, fridge etc.

[pianotuna]

Skibane wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
The bigger challenge is obtaining and carrying enough propane if you will be using the generator for any length of time.

Is that really any worse than carrying enough gasoline to do the same thing?

If the RV is a diesel with propane cooking/heating, then carrying a gasoline generator is "one more stop" to make.

[valhalla360]

Skibane wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
The bigger challenge is obtaining and carrying enough propane if you will be using the generator for any length of time.

Is that really any worse than carrying enough gasoline to do the same thing?

Not the end of the world but more of a challenge:
- 5 gal jug of gas will run our 2400w generator for around 35-40hr continuous with a fair load on it. A 30lb tank will last maybe 15-20hr.
- I can fill a gas jug at any gas station and I can do it any time of day using the automated pumps. A 30lb tank requires a filling station which is much more rare and typically operates far more limited hours.

Actually switching to dual fuel for other reasons but access and carrying fuel is a downside.