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propane generator factory or kit

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 7:09 am
by Michaelser
I have a cousin who lives in Cabo and is considering getting a generator for his small hotel. I mentioned to him that it might be years before he needs to use it. Knowing that all gasoline goes bad, I mentioned a propane powered one... but I have no experience with one so I am asking what anyones experiences are with one... good, bad ?

Re: propane generator, factory or kit?

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:30 am
by HTRN
Standbys are either propane/ng or diesel, with the larger ones generally are diesel. Treated diesel has a shelf life of years.

Re: propane generator, factory or kit?

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:32 am
by Rich Jordan
Dual or tri-fuel generators make a little less power on natural gas or propane than they do on gasoline. The one I bought (Champion 3500) does 3200 running watts (3500 peak) on gasoline, and 2880 running watts (3150 peak) on propane. Pretty sure natural gas would be the same as propane.

Re: propane generator, factory or kit?

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:23 pm
by Rustyv
You de-rate a propane generator if you convert it to run on nat gas. Ng isn’t as energy dense.

We use a lot of 14 and 20 kw gensets at work, and the engines lose about 2kw on the spec’ed power rating when using ng vs propane.

Re: propane generator, factory or kit?

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 11:34 pm
by Termite
HTRN wrote: Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:30 am Treated diesel has a shelf life of years.
As does avgas. I've solved generator fuel problems by mixing 2 gals of avgas to 3 gals of non-ethanol mogas. Works like a charm, but DON'T put it in your modern car unless you want to replace the cat.

Re: propane generator, factory or kit?

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2018 6:02 pm
by HTRN
True, but now you're talking some rather exotic measures to get it past two years, like using nitrogen to purge the storage tank to prevent gum formation.

Meanwhile, a diesel tank treated with PRI, and a water separator can go decades. If you really want to do long teem storage, jet A is probably the best option, as it dissent seem to get the algae and other growth issues as bad as regular # 2 low sulfur does, but then you have the lubricity issue..

Re: propane generator, factory or kit?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2018 9:57 am
by Termite
HTRN wrote: Mon Aug 06, 2018 6:02 pm ...... jet A is probably the best option, as it doesnt seem to get the algae and other growth issues as bad as regular # 2 low sulfur does, but then you have the lubricity issue..
Add about 5% biodiesel. It has a high lubricity factor. Or some ordinary atf fluid, about one qt per 50 gals(200:1 ratio). We use to do the atf "trick" to burn kerosene in our farm tractors, while keeping the injector pumps lubricated.