Propane conversion for my Storm Responder 5500-watt generator

This sounds like a cool project. Like to put a 20lb propane jug on my Snapper rear engine rider. Love the way propane and alcohol keep the oil soooo clean.
 
Just be aware a 20 lb is only filled to 80% capacity which would be 4 gal of usable fuel. This is to allow for expansion and safety reasons.
 
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.
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I disagree about fuel shut off valves and carburetors still getting gummed up.

The primary job of a fuel shut off valve on a small engine is to keep the carburetor clean on occasional use pieces of equipment or during winter. A secondary benefit would be keeping the engine from hydro locking due to a faulty needle and seat, but it is a bandaid, not a cure.

I have installed literally hundreds of fuel shut off valves on equipment over the years and have had one comeback on a pressure washer that I had installed a valve. That was because the customer did not use the valve in between uses. Therefore this is not anecdotal evidence. Rather a very effective solution to the majority of issues on small engines which is usually fuel related.
 
That is your opinion but I have had my personal engines carburetors to be clogged even using manual fuel shut off valves. They are simply not a cure all device though they do prevent fuel overflows when used and they are working correctly.

IF an engine is not idling when it shutdown due lack fuel idle ports can still have fuel in due to lack of vacuum on those ports. And Fuel solenoids can still contain fuel that cause them to stick.
 
I replaced my old backup genny with this one
Screenshot_20260204_101708_Chrome.jpg
Comes with remote electric start with a float charger for the battery. Will probably never see gasoline because hooked to 60lb propane bottle. After looking into a propane conversion for the old one just went with a new one.
 
Hammermechanicman said:
I replaced my old backup genny with this one
View attachment 72648
Comes with remote electric start with a float charger for the battery. Will probably never see gasoline because hooked to 60lb propane bottle. After looking into a propane conversion for the old one just went with a new one.
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I did look into a new dual fuel unit, but they have shot way up in price this year and I'm not going to spend that kind of money.

At the moment I have my main Generac 15KW and four different smaller portable generators that I have refurbished and kept over the years. The total cost of adding a propane kit to the Storm Responder has come in at around $300.00 in parts so far.

The idea of having the option to run off a 20Lb cylinder is mainly to have that option in the event I actually run out of gasoline reserves.
 
slomo said:
This sounds like a cool project. Like to put a 20lb propane jug on my Snapper rear engine rider. Love the way propane and alcohol keep the oil soooo clean.
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Hi Slomo,

I believe any small engine equipment can be modified to run on Propane.

I also have a Snapper RER with an 8HP flat head B&S. That would be a tricky conversion, it would be neat though.

Getting the fuel adjustment correct under full load would be a little tricky.

Not sure if it would require a permanent modification to the existing carburetor

The only place to mount the oversize regulator and a 20Lb tank would be off the rear upright brackets.

I better quit thinking, before I consider doing that after I get finished with the generator.
 
Auto Doc's said:
I did look into a new dual fuel unit, but they have shot way up in price this year and I'm not going to spend that kind of money.

At the moment I have my main Generac 15KW and four different smaller portable generators that I have refurbished and kept over the years. The total cost of adding a propane kit to the Storm Responder has come in at around $300.00 in parts so far.

The idea of having the option to run off a 20Lb cylinder is mainly to have that option in the event I actually run out of gasoline reserves.
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Being a mower shop i have picked up afew generators. I have 4 that i keep for loaning out. I am lucky that i am on the same line as the village sewer plant so my power is restored sooner than most in my area. Others aren't so lucky so i loan out my extra gererators. Biggest issue is folks finding gas.
 
Hammermechanicman said:
Being a mower shop i have picked up afew generators. I have 4 that i keep for loaning out. I am lucky that i am on the same line as the village sewer plant so my power is restored sooner than most in my area. Others aren't so lucky so i loan out my extra gererators. Biggest issue is folks finding gas.
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I tried loaning my small ones out before, but I had one that was run out of oil, and it threw a rod and another one got stolen. I even considered renting some out at one time, but people around my area are just plain irresponsible.
 
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