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Converted my generator to natural gas in about 30 minutes
Posted on 9/21/21 at 11:51 am
Posted on 9/21/21 at 11:51 am
I have a storm responder Briggs and Stratton that is about 7-8 years old. It has been used for power after hurricanes over that time. It will go through a tank of gas about every 8 hours.
I bought this conversion kit from Century Fuel productsfor $169.99 delivered. It came with everything I needed for the conversion and was delivered within a week. The instructions were very easy to follow. I also watched this video which was also very useful. LINK
Remove the air filter & housing
Add extension to existing bolts
Attach snorkel and hose then put on carburetor
Reattach air filter housing
Attach parts to regulator and drill 2 holes on frame (watch distance to fuel tank) and bolt the regulator to the frame
Attach snorkel hose to the regulator and secure it to the frame with zip tie
Cut air hose and add provided splice
That's pretty much it. After connecting everything you should attach to your gas source and then check for leaks with soap and water. The gas fitting off the regulator is 3/4 so you may need a fitting for your size hose. I picked up the appropriate fitting at Stine.
I bought this conversion kit from Century Fuel productsfor $169.99 delivered. It came with everything I needed for the conversion and was delivered within a week. The instructions were very easy to follow. I also watched this video which was also very useful. LINK
Remove the air filter & housing
Add extension to existing bolts
Attach snorkel and hose then put on carburetor
Reattach air filter housing
Attach parts to regulator and drill 2 holes on frame (watch distance to fuel tank) and bolt the regulator to the frame
Attach snorkel hose to the regulator and secure it to the frame with zip tie
Cut air hose and add provided splice
That's pretty much it. After connecting everything you should attach to your gas source and then check for leaks with soap and water. The gas fitting off the regulator is 3/4 so you may need a fitting for your size hose. I picked up the appropriate fitting at Stine.
18
Posted on 9/21/21 at 12:06 pm to fatboydave
Awesome pictorial. Did you fire it up? Also, have read that there is some degradation in "load", have you heard the same?
Very interested in this as I would like not to have to deal with filling and hauling gas, ever again.
Very interested in this as I would like not to have to deal with filling and hauling gas, ever again.
Posted on 9/21/21 at 12:18 pm to jmon
I bought a tri fuel generator that is rated for 7500w running on gasoline and 5500 on nat gas, I think propane is 6750. So definitely some drop off, but very convenient to be able to hook into a gas line assuming those are cut off.
Posted on 9/21/21 at 12:43 pm to fatboydave
I have the same kit with a different generator but waiting until my warranty expires. Thanks for the pics and update.
Posted on 9/21/21 at 12:47 pm to fatboydave
Thanks for the info.
Posted on 9/21/21 at 2:26 pm to Macfly
New my generator came in today and the NG Conversion kit comes in Thursday. Got the AC soft starts on Monday. Looking forward to converting everything over and testing out the setup sometime soon.
I ended up ordering from PNGTech vs Century. I liked that PNGTech had specific videos for each generator, and could answer the question about modifying (ie cutting) the generator frame. Century just said “if you have >1” clearance, it shouldn’t be required”.
I ended up ordering from PNGTech vs Century. I liked that PNGTech had specific videos for each generator, and could answer the question about modifying (ie cutting) the generator frame. Century just said “if you have >1” clearance, it shouldn’t be required”.
Posted on 9/21/21 at 2:30 pm to fatboydave
Killer tutorial. Thanks for the heads up.
Did you run an extra valve to the outside so you could run the generator without killing yourself in your garage from CO poisoning?
Did you run an extra valve to the outside so you could run the generator without killing yourself in your garage from CO poisoning?
Posted on 9/21/21 at 3:21 pm to fatboydave
quote:
Converted my generator to natural gas in about 30 minutes
This is a great and extremely useful post.
In the materials from the conversion company is there any information about whether the generator wattage will be reduced when using natural gas through the converter as opposed to gasoline?
I ask this because the tri-fuel generators have a step down on wattage production when using natural gas. I don't know enough about the conversion kits to guess whether the use of natural gas will always result in a step down in electricity production.
Posted on 9/21/21 at 3:23 pm to fatboydave
(no message)
This post was edited on 9/22/21 at 12:25 am
Posted on 9/21/21 at 3:36 pm to fatboydave
what about running on fuel after the conversion?
Posted on 9/21/21 at 3:39 pm to djangochained
I know the PNG tech kit I purchased says all you have to do to run on gasoline is shut the natural gas valve and open the fuel line.
This post was edited on 9/21/21 at 3:42 pm
Posted on 9/21/21 at 3:54 pm to fatboydave
I did it to mine about 8 months ago with a MotorSnokel. Performed great during the 3 day outage with Ida.
ETA: Also got the propane regulator when I ordered the natural gas kit.
ETA: Also got the propane regulator when I ordered the natural gas kit.
This post was edited on 9/21/21 at 3:56 pm
Posted on 9/21/21 at 5:26 pm to jmon
quote:
Also, have read that there is some degradation in "load", have you heard the same?
Yes, there will be a reduction in wattage. I don't know exactly but it was not a concern. According to the the things I have read, it should still run a window unit, tvs, fridge and smaller stuff. I can rotate the fridge and freezer, etc. The search for gasoline is the pain in the arse I am hoping to avoid now. I thought the conversion would be more labor intensive but this was not problem at all. If you are thinking about doing it don't be scared...pull the trigger and get ready for the next one.
quote:
what about running on fuel after the conversion?
Shut off the fuel valve to run on natural gas. Run it until all gasoline is out of the carb. Then turn on natural gas and go from there. You can run on Nat gas or gasoline.
This post was edited on 9/21/21 at 5:29 pm
Posted on 9/21/21 at 6:48 pm to fatboydave
I've got essentially the same generator and have looked at these for a while. Your post finally got me to order it. Hopefully can run everything I need without having to drive around looking for gas. Cheers.
Posted on 9/23/21 at 1:49 pm to RoyalWe
Just converted my 11kw generator last night. Did a quick test run with it today and got the regulator set right. Had everything I needed running. The only thing I did notice was that the frequency under load dipped down to 59.3-59.7 hz. Not sure what the allowable frequency variance is on most appliances. I also had to basically back the regulator out completely. May eventually have to run some larger gas line.
Posted on 9/23/21 at 2:06 pm to Jon A thon
My generator showed up Tuesday and the kit is expected to arrive today. Plumber should be coming to hook up the pool heater (and install my tee and valve) this week. I’ll put in the soft starts and be ready for a full test run this weekend.
59.3 - 59.7 should be fine. You can adjust the frequency (governor) pretty easily though. Usually just a screw near the front.
One of my buddies had a significant problem with voltage with his generator from the storm. He blew all his AFCI and GFCI breakers due to higher voltage. His was running like 129 or 130. Those breakers, per the manufacturer, were only good up to 127. I checked my old generator and it was running like 121 at 59.5 Hz.
quote:
The only thing I did notice was that the frequency under load dipped down to 59.3-59.7 hz. Not sure what the allowable frequency variance is on most appliances.
59.3 - 59.7 should be fine. You can adjust the frequency (governor) pretty easily though. Usually just a screw near the front.
One of my buddies had a significant problem with voltage with his generator from the storm. He blew all his AFCI and GFCI breakers due to higher voltage. His was running like 129 or 130. Those breakers, per the manufacturer, were only good up to 127. I checked my old generator and it was running like 121 at 59.5 Hz.
Posted on 10/3/21 at 3:47 pm to LSUtigerME
I just installed my kit on my generator last night. Waiting on the plumber to finish up my tee install to do a test run.
For those of you with quick connects on your natural gas, do you have any sort of plug or cover for it? Since the port is just an open male fitting on the house, I’m not sure how comfortable I am with just a big open port downstream of a ball valve. My refinery process safety is kicking in and wants to have a plug or cap.
Even if not, do you have dust covers on the quick connects? It’s hard to find 3/4” covers.
For those of you with quick connects on your natural gas, do you have any sort of plug or cover for it? Since the port is just an open male fitting on the house, I’m not sure how comfortable I am with just a big open port downstream of a ball valve. My refinery process safety is kicking in and wants to have a plug or cap.
Even if not, do you have dust covers on the quick connects? It’s hard to find 3/4” covers.
Posted on 10/3/21 at 4:14 pm to LSUtigerME
My quick connect came with dust covers and I have a valve before the female quick connect. So there's the valve and the poppet inside the quick connect. A couple lines of defense.
Posted on 10/3/21 at 8:32 pm to Jon A thon
Mine didn’t come with the dust covers. I’m hoping they’re similar sized as hydraulic couplings since those are easier to find.
As for the QDs, mine are completely throughbore with no poppet or internal checks. The female ends came pre-assembled on the hose. I was considering changing it so the hose would be male to male instead of female to female, but I’m thinking I’ll keep the moving component out of the weather and have the male part on the gen and house. Still leaves me with only the ball valve between NG and USA. I might try to source another female QD and add a nipple and cap to it.
As for the QDs, mine are completely throughbore with no poppet or internal checks. The female ends came pre-assembled on the hose. I was considering changing it so the hose would be male to male instead of female to female, but I’m thinking I’ll keep the moving component out of the weather and have the male part on the gen and house. Still leaves me with only the ball valve between NG and USA. I might try to source another female QD and add a nipple and cap to it.
Posted on 10/4/21 at 6:31 am to LSUtigerME
I get not wanting the female end in the weather. But my gas line already had a 1/2" female QD from the previous owner. Was still functioning fine and the check still worked well. I wanted a check on the supply side of the connection so kept the female part of the QD on the supply line when I stepped up to 3/4". US Carb is where I got my hose and QD and they shipped a cover with the QD. They may have them on their site. It's nothing more than a rubber dust cap though.
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