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captinharry's avatar
captinharry
Explorer
Sep 14, 2017

Suggestion on converting Champion 3500w to natural gas

I have the basic Champion RV 3500/4000w generator & would like to run it on natural gas. Googled conversion kits & got overwhelmed. I do not need to run on propane or LP, gasoline & natural gas. Anyone have suggestion as to supplier of conversion kits or experience in doing this conversion. I have been without power several times the last few years due to storms & have always had natural gas at the stick house, when all other services where off for days. Thanks for any help.
  • Thanks for all the replies & suggestions. I contacted Champion after my OP & they recommended 'Century Fuel Products' so between them & the 'US Carb' suggestion I'm sure I'll be able to find what I need.
  • captinharry wrote:
    I have the basic Champion RV 3500/4000w generator & would like to run it on natural gas. Googled conversion kits & got overwhelmed. I do not need to run on propane or LP, gasoline & natural gas. Anyone have suggestion as to supplier of conversion kits or experience in doing this conversion. I have been without power several times the last few years due to storms & have always had natural gas at the stick house, when all other services where off for days. Thanks for any help.
    Skip the conversion and just get a home natural gas generator.

    Generac 7.5kW $1,877 shipped
  • That said, in a brick and mortar location with an are wide power outage, with gas stations without fuel and or without electricity that small power reduction claimed changes to a huge power addition - to zero power on gasoline.

    I can always get propane and the OP likely will always have NG. Not so with gasoline.

    As I have frequently said, I have zero RV experience and thus am only talking about my personal experience in a brick and mortar situation.

    The US Carb forums can provide additional suggestions about spark plug gap and exhaust temps, etc. These have never been an issue with my generator. (IIRC, I did change the gap on my plug when I installed the kit a few years ago.)

    A seldom identified effect of converting to propane or NG is that one has essentially 100% confidence that the generator will start immediately if required - and therefore power outages cease occurring in your location. YMMV :B
  • Be prepared for a 25% loss of wattage potential of the gen set. Natural gas mixtures vary per region of the country. Having been forced to work with Worthington natural gas prime movers I have the opinion that the spark system must be maintained in top condition. Do not hesitate to reduce spark plug gap to .020" if that's what it takes to produce max power and easiest starting.Recommend changing lube oil every 1,000 hours of use as methane strips lube oil of high pressure shear additives. Watch engine temp as it's going to run hotter.
  • SaltiDawg wrote:
    I used a USCarb kit to convert a brand new 7500W Gas Generator to run on all three types of fuel using a "Snorkel Kit" - I ONLY run that generator on Propane.

    All in cost was about $200. Excellent customer support. Simple installation.

    They now offer other options.

    US Carb

    Also, I'm sure there are youtube videos.

    I agree----US CARB is who I used when I converted my ONAN 6.5 to Natural gas and still kept the ability to run on Gasoline if needed. I just ran mine for 3 days during the power outage !^ hrs a day. The engine oil stays clean with nat gas. I did the conversion myself and I had to drill one extra hole according to the seller.
    Marvin
  • I used a USCarb kit to convert a brand new 7500W Gas Generator to run on all three types of fuel using a "Snorkel Kit" - I ONLY run that generator on Propane.

    All in cost was about $200. Excellent customer support. Simple installation.

    They now offer other options.

    US Carb

    Also, I'm sure there are youtube videos.