Electric start

Auto Doc's said:
Hello D.,

I converted both of my small generators to a gasoline/ propane combo a couple of year ago. Yes, they are much harder to start on just propane when cold (even when priming the regulator), so I use the gasoline for initial starting and warmup. Then I cut the fuel valve off and wait for the engine to mis slightly before I turn the 20 lb. propane tank line on.

I also keep stabilized fuel on standby in 16-gallon boat tank that I use in my mowers but can have it ready for my generator if needed as well. I have used Ethanol Shield fuel stabilizer and not experienced any issues. Stabil Marine (blue) fuel stabilizer works well also for storage over 6-months in hot weather.

I used the "motor snorkel" kit from us carburation and their 12ft propane line and tank regulator kit. Other kits use a thick venturi block spacer that can be hard to fit if space is limited.

If you are worried about fuel sitting in the gas tank too long, you can leave it dry and use a can of carb spray to help with priming to start on propane.

The most often overlooked thing I see is people do not make a habit of running/testing there generators at least once a month to keep them ready for emergencies. Worse yet is they fail to check and top off the oil, because a generator running at 3600 RPM will use a little oil.

Mark it on a wall calendar to "schedule your run time" and stick to the plan.

If you need further help, just let me know. The conversion kits are easy to work with and save a lot of aggravation. Trying to cobble together a "You Tube kit" just does not work properly.
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Thank you very much
 
I believe I used US Carburation for my kits.
I believe you have to open the gap on your spark plug if you use propane to make it start easier

People often forget the engine oil. It has to be changed 25-50 hours and some engines use oil.
 
Hello A.,

I run propane tractors and generators. All of them call for a closer gap of .026 inch so the propane will fire properly under load. Propane comes into the engine a vapor concentration where gasoline is still evaporating into a vapor as it enters the cylinder.
 
I believe you are correct. You must reduce the gap on the spark plug when starting with propane or they are sometimes difficult to pull start. When I use a starter it seems to take a few extra revolutions to start.
 
My engine number is 204412-0163-E1 It calls for Flywheel 794814 which doesn't have a Ring gear. Can someone tell me what the part number would be for one with a Ring gear? Maybe 794812?
 
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The trouble is that your original engine number information does not call for an electric start option.

I will get the engine information off of my 10HP (electric start) snow thrower engine which I adapted to one of my generators. The flywheel does have a ring gear for a starter, but no stator magnets for a charging system because it was a 120V starter model. The teeth on the ring gear would be the same.

I will also check a couple of engine cores I have to see if I actually have a flywheel with a ring gear that is a correct fit.
 
I have my generator tank full of fuel and the cover is not easy to access for the numbers.

I did look up a B&S 10HP snow blower engine and came up with a model 20D414-0017-E1

It shows to have an electric start flywheel 695485 on Parts Tree but supersedes to 794812.

B&S has constant part number and parts changes.
 
I suggest that before ordering any parts, I would contact B&S customer support. You need to verify which flywheel with ring gear can be used with your engine. Had a customer a few years ago try to do the same thing you are trying to do, but was given incorrect information off the internet and ended up purchasing the wrong flywheel off the internet, which he could not return. After I contacted my source at Briggs I found out that the flywheel he needed was NLA and he couldn’t find one anywhere. Better to verify all info before making a costly mistake. Sorry I can’t help you more as I’m now retired and so is my contact.
 
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