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I posted this in my stomping ground which is the 7.3L PSD sub-forum, but thought it might be of interest to someone over here too.
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I decided to finish the generator tri-fuel conversion. This served two purposes...
1. I will need the garage space to swap SXE turbos when we return from our beach camping trip.
2. I have been curious to see how the Westinghouse iGen 2500 runs on propane.
I mocked everything up, got all the hoses and fittings sorted out and started at permanently mounting and connecting everything.
Supposedly the generator will be down about 10% in maximum power if run on propane or natural gas. Once everything was connected and the generator was running on propane, I ran it at 2300 watts (rated at 2500 watts continuous) continuous and it ran just fine. I am very happy with the results.
This gives us the capability to run the generator on gasoline, propane or natural gas. We have about 100 lbs of propane when we are with the 5th wheel and prefer not to carry a gasoline can.
I set the feeder hose to be able to connect to a 20 lbs propane tank or the 5th wheel quick connect propane line.
Super easy and secure to use 3/8" gas rated quick connects. I like them so much, I may convert my air compressor hoses to them instead of the 1/4".
What a fun and capability expanding project this turned out to be!
I definitely plan to accomplish this conversion on the 9000 whole house generator we have as well, but that will be in the fall or winter I am sure. I think I will build the kit for that one using the existing low pressure regulator, hose and high pressure regulator from this kit. That will cut cost way down and since I will never have to use both at one time, it just makes sense.
Everything bundled up with travel caps inserted.
The yellow arrow points to the new gasoline shutoff valve. I cut the hoke just big enough so that i can turn it with two fingers.
Top view of everything bundked up. I will use some sort if reusable tie to keep the hose safe.
Low pressure regulator placed on the generator. I built a mount that simply slips over the handle for ease of use.
If you don't find your model number on their website, call and speak to Zack. He will look up the carburetor model and get you the right adapter and kit. It is a venturi flow adapter and in no way inhibits the use of gasoline or the choke.
Speak to him about your thoughts and concerns, he was great to talk to when I was unaware of how well this would work, if at all.
For someone like me that travels with the Westinghouse iGen 2500 and plenty of propane, it makes sense. I have a 20 year old Craftsman 9000 watt generator for the house that I plan to convert as well. Then, I can stop use Stabil and refreshing the gasoline in it.
If you feel I can help in anyway, I can PM you my number and we can talk about it if that is easier for you. I am not an expert, but feel I have a good understanding of the kits now.
Thanks for the link, I misspoke on the 3500 it's a 3100I I'll have to get out the book just 3100I didn't work, I need a model number.
No problem at all. The only information I had on the iGen 2500 was model based on the label and book and the engine displacement based on the specifications in the book.
It took Zack less than 60 seconds to identify the carburetor and that is what he needs really. The adapter is about 1" in width and fits between the airbox inlet and the carburetor. I looked up the 3100l and the space available within the frame should make it much easier than a suitcase style generator.
When I convert our larger generator, I plan to include a gasoline drain in the tube as an easy way to remove gasoline from the tank and reuse it instead of running it in the generator just to get rid of it.
Originally Posted by ATC_F350
After reading about someone else's dual fuel generator if I happen to get a generator, I'm thinking a dual fuel is the way to go.
It makes sense for us, now we don't have to carry a gasoline can around the country and try to fill it up when needed. I installed 3/8" quick connects instead of using the NPT or flare fittings. This allows me to store the generator in the front of the 5th wheel and also allows me to connect it to the quick connect for the grill.
I changed the grill quick connect out from 1/4" to 3"8" so they were easier to use and allowed for a bit more gas volume.
Again, I am no expert, but I learned quite a bit and found the propane easy to use and start the generator.
Your very welcome. I didn't want to get too in depth because there are so many brands and models of generators out there, but thought that providing some general information may benefit someone.
If what I have written only helps one person, then it was worth my time to post it.
I FINALLY had a chance to test the Westinghouse iGen 2500 inverter generator running on propane.
With the iGen 2500 powering the 13.5K BTU air conditioner on our 5th wheel, the air conditioner (with EasyStart 364) was drawing 122v at 12A from the generator. The AC-DC converter was off, but I feel there would be sufficient power provided from the iGen 2500 in the event the 400 watts of solar panels were in shade or not charging the batteries through the Victron MPPT charge controller.
The only catch is the onboard Progressive EMS must be in bypass mode, or I must have the neutral/ground bonding plug in the secondary 20A receptacle. This is because the generator does not provide a true ground from the case. I can wire a ground to the trailer frame in the event the generator will be used long term, but this generator is a short term setup if we need air conditioning while boondocking or the solar panels are not receiving a good amount of sun exposure.
If the generator isn't designed for propane use you will wear out the exhaust valve seats and valves. I was going to convert my Honda EU7000is over but didn't when I found out about this..
If the generator isn't designed for propane use you will wear out the exhaust valve seats and valves. I was going to convert my Honda EU7000is over but didn't when I found out about this..
I wonder since they're designed to run on unleaded if they aren't built with hardened valves and seats like every other motor in the last 20+ years?
Old Harleys have the same issues if the seats aren't swapped out eventually.
Griz
Last edited by ibdagriz; Aug 18, 2021 at 02:48 PM.
Reason: spelin
Hey Sous, how much did the propane conversion run ya? Thanks
Nevermind! I went on their website and found it. They are planning to build me a kit for mine as well. Awesome post here. Appreciate the info....
@MKrenn , glad to see you found your answer while I was slacking off and not paying attention... Life has been crazy busy lately...
I am ordering another kit for our whole house generator (6500 continuous watts) on the 1st of September. Just makes sense for the same reasons as I modified the small suitcase RV generator.
Don't forget to prime the line when going to start the generator!
I notice that natural gas puts out less power than propane does, so did they tell you approximately what your 6500 continuous on gasoline will do on natural gas?
I have one similar I was thinking of doing the same thing to.
I have reached out to the sales support team as they did not list a kit for my generator. After emailing and speaking with 2 different guys, they still have not gotten back to me for the kit I need. They must be extremely busy. At any rate, I'll keep on them Again, thanks for the info Sous.
