Propane conversion for my Storm Responder 5500-watt generator

A

Auto Doc's

Lawn Addict
Hello folks,

I have a secondary standby generator that is a B&S 5500/8250-watt Storm Responder. I want to adapt it to run on 20LB portable propane tanks. I am tired of chasing gasoline/ carburetor related issues every time I need this thing in an emergency.

I have watched a couple of videos, and it seems to be a straightforward process except the kits I look at from Nash & US carburetion and others are incomplete. I am looking for everything that goes from the propane tank to the regulator and what needs to be put on the engine carburetor.

Is there anyone who sells a complete kit, or are they all broken down in "bundle" segments? I am not a fan of piecing together a mixed parts kit.

Thanks in advance.
 
Thanks StarTech.

I am only concerned with being able to run Propane as a backup if needed. If it works well enough I may use it that way for my shop power in an emergency.
 
As it stands right now, I went with US carburetion and ordered the Propane conversion kit specifically for my model and a Propane line kit which has all the fittings. The only other thing I had to order is the yellow PTFE tape that resistant to Propane oils.

I will update one I get everything installed and tuned in.

A You Tube member Who goes by Bassguitarist1985 has a very good video about a generator Propane conversion on a similar model generator, except he had problems with the generator itself that he had to resolve.
 
Auto Doc's said:
Hello folks,

I have a secondary standby generator that is a B&S 5500/8250-watt Storm Responder. I want to adapt it to run on 20LB portable propane tanks. I am tired of chasing gasoline/ carburetor related issues every time I need this thing in an emergency.

I have watched a couple of videos, and it seems to be a straightforward process except the kits I look at from Nash & US carburetion and others are incomplete. I am looking for everything that goes from the propane tank to the regulator and what needs to be put on the engine carburetor.

Is there anyone who sells a complete kit, or are they all broken down in "bundle" segments? I am not a fan of piecing together a mixed parts kit.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
A few times I have had calls from potential customers to convert gas to propane. I have never done it and don’t want to due to potential liability.

You of all people know that a fuel shut off valve solves the majority of fuel related issues when used correctly. What problems are you having with storage and occasional start/use with the generator?
 
Hopefully that kit allows for high and low Pressure LP along allowing you to maintain the gasoline option.
Tiger Small Engine said:
You of all people know that a fuel shut off valve solves the majority of fuel related issues when used correctly. What problems are you having with storage and occasional start/use with the generator?
Click to expand...
Just shutting and the engine until it dies does not completely clear the carburetors of all of the fuel thus jets can still clog, just depends on how much is left behind and where the jets are. I have cleaned a lot carbs that this has been the problem.

Fuel shut valves are mainly to prevent the carburetors from the carburetor flooding from a leaky float valve/seat. And Honda small engines are very at leaking past the float needle valve and seats which is why you will see the fuel shut off valves on nearly every one of them.

I thinking that Auto Doc's is just wanting the LP available as it can be stored for a long period without the problems that gasoline has of going bad. Of course a power outage can happen and there is no way to get fuel because all the local stations are down too. And there have been times here where the electric has been out for weeks county wide.

Besides LP can be as fuel for cutting torches and BBQs. I like you to try that with gasoline. Boom comes to mind.
 
Tiger Small Engine said:
A few times I have had calls from potential customers to convert gas to propane. I have never done it and don’t want to due to potential liability.

You of all people know that a fuel shut off valve solves the majority of fuel related issues when used correctly. What problems are you having with storage and occasional start/use with the generator?
Click to expand...
Hello TSM,

Even though I empty the tank and run the carburetor out of fuel several tries with the choke set, I still have residual fuel that decays in the bottom of the bowl. The carburetor is a pain because it has the 2 screws that holds the fuel bowl on.

I am basically tired of chasing carburetor issues when impending bad weather is headed our way.

This generator only sees use a couple of times in the winter months because it is for a tenant house on my property. Otherwise, it spends most of the time stored.

I have a 15KW Generac that I constantly exercise one a month as my primary generator.
 
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StarTech said:
Hopefully that kit allows for high and low Pressure LP along allowing you to maintain the gasoline option.

Just shutting and the engine until it dies does not completely clear the carburetors of all of the fuel thus jets can still clog, just depends on how much is left behind and where the jets are. I have cleaned a lot carbs that this has been the problem.

Fuel shut valves are mainly to prevent the carburetors from the carburetor flooding from a leaky float valve/seat. And Honda small engines are very at leaking past the float needle valve and seats which is why you will see the fuel shut off valves on nearly every one of them.

I thinking that Auto Doc's is just wanting the LP available as it can be stored for a long period without the problems that gasoline has of going bad. Of course a power outage can happen and there is no way to get fuel because all the local stations are down too. And there have been times here where the electric has been out for weeks county wide.

Besides LP can be as fuel for cutting torches and BBQs. I like you to try that with gasoline. Boom comes to mind.
Click to expand...
Hello StarTech,

Yes, the kit will let me still have the option to run on gas if needed.

I don't have a natural gas line, but I do have Propane.

As a bonus, I already have 4-20Lb Propane tanks at the ready because my kids gave up on their old BBQ grilles.

I don't think I will have a Propane fuel problem in the short term. If I have to go long term, I will refill the 20Lb portable tanks off of my 100-gallon Propane tank.

Yes, I know the portables can only be filled to a maximum of 80%.
 
I have a Firman Dual Fuel Generator. If I run it on gas, it is 9400 watts if on propane 7500 watts so you loose about 2000 watts on propane. Might be something to consider.
 
hlw49 said:
I have a Firman Dual Fuel Generator. If I run it on gas, it is 9400 watts if on propane 7500 watts so you loose about 2000 watts on propane. Might be something to consider.
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Thanks hlw49,

I know there is some drop in wattage output due to the BTU difference in the fuel combustion, but yours sounds dramatic.

Are you sure you have mixture lean enough? Propane is the opposite of gasoline when it comes to a proper mixture. To rich will lug down the motor and cause overheating.
 
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