Propane conversion for my Storm Responder 5500-watt generator

[RevB]

A question I have for the folks in colder climates who run a generator using a 20Lb propane tanks is if a tank warmer blanket is important?

The most that I have had to use my generator in the past is during a rare hard freeze here in South Texas. I have been using gasoline most of the time, but I want to have propane as a backup if needed.

I also know propane can be temperamental when ambient temps drop below freezing because of the tank and regulator wanting to ice up.

In South TX I doubt you have to worry about anything icing up.....

 

[RevB]

Hello hlw49,

Propane is a gaseous fuel, so it does not have to be atomized by a carburetor like gasoline. It also has less BTU's produced during combustion, so it takes a little more volume than gasoline. That is why Propane is not as efficient as gasoline and generator wattage is slightly reduced.

Do you have a multi-meter that will read Hz?

Your generator should read around 60-61.5 Hz (check at one of the 120V outlets) with no load on the generator, running at high idle. If you are in the "ballpark", then I would say it is adjusted correctly.

Next, I recommend you check the spark plug gap to make sure it is set to .025 inch. Propane requires a smaller electrode gap, but gasoline will run fine at this gap also.

I have been running my Propane farm tractors for years and really like them because they burn so clean and do not suffer from carburetor problems caused by stale fuel.

Gasoline is entering the compustion chamber as a vapor as well during normal operation, same as propane.

 

[jes_in_sac]

I modified my 13HP Generac to run on the propane going into the house from our 400 gallon propane tank. I have QDs to hook up to the house line, and a plug-in at the breaker box, with proper isolation in the panel. Haven't had any problems running on the LP, and I figure that I have lots of run time from a 400 gallon tank if I need it. The next project is modifying the log splitter to run off that same tank, which is near where the splitter is. Then convert the Perkins gas engine in the boom forklift over to LP, since I can fill LP tanks from the 500 gallon farm propane tank, and California gas is horrible and very expensive at the same time.

 

[Auto Doc's]

In South TX I doubt you have to worry about anything icing up.....

Hello R.,

It is unusual, but power outages are not. The deep freeze we had here back in Feb. '21 reminded me of my youth in central Va. where it is was expected. Down here, it is rare to even get to freezing for more than a day.

I was not fully prepared or well-equipped as I am now. During that storm, all I had was my small generator and a couple of space heaters. Fortunately, I also a decent size propane heater and a Coleman propane cook stove.

 

[RevB]

Hello R.,

It is unusual, but power outages are not. The deep freeze we had here back in Feb. '21 reminded me of my youth in central Va. where it is was expected. Down here, it is rare to even get to freezing for more than a day.

I was not fully prepared or well-equipped as I am now. During that storm, all I had was my small generator and a couple of space heaters. Fortunately, I also a decent size propane heater and a Coleman propane cook stove.

Had a three day ice storm in S Central OK many years ago. Power was out for a week. Had a nice new big Lopi that kept the house warm even tho I had propane heat but didn't want to use it because wood was cheaper than the propane and there isn't all that much satisfaction watching a furnace run. Besides, you can't cook on the furnace....