Has anyone done or looked into converting one of the small mil std gas engines (4a032, 2a042, etc) to run on propane or natural gas? I don't know if fuel costs would go up or down but there are some advantages: no fuel deterioration, safer storage, larger tanks ,etc.
Most propane companies sell conversion kits for small engines. Try blue flame off of north gennser. They can help you with everything. I bought one for a tractor 10 years ago. They ain't cheap. For the price you can fill a 55 gallon drum with gas and run it a long time. But the good thing about gasoline is you can take it with you when a hurricane comes. As far as gas storage goes. You can get stabilizers to prolong it's keep.
Most propane companies sell conversion kits for small engines. Try blue flame off of north gennser. They can help you with everything. I bought one for a tractor 10 years ago. They ain't cheap. For the price you can fill a 55 gallon drum with gas and run it a long time. But the good thing about gasoline is you can take it with you when a hurricane comes. As far as gas storage goes. You can get stabilizers to prolong it's keep.
Good points. Right now I'm really just looking at alternatives. I actually like the idea of a natural gas conversion as we're very unlikely to lose natural gas here in Houston area even in the event of a hurricane. Thanks for the info
IF you house is plumbed for it I say use it... but if your planning on bottles / tanks forget it!!! I watched so many people sporting 100-300 lb tanks run out in 48 hours or less last year. The fuel consumption rate is much higher on LP and NG and getting a refill on a tank will never happen after a storm.
From personal experience I agree with Ken... Gasoline is worth its weight in gold during a disaster.
If your worried about maintenance fire the gen set up yearly, run the gas out and do a final run with a little denatured alcohol to clean it out. Spray it down with WD40 and shrink wrap it up for storage. I have this down to a science with all of the ones I have to care for at work.
The biggest thing... If you can afford (even if you have to stretch for it)... skip the NG, LP, and gas... BUY DIESEL!!!
I'm with you DMAN. Diesel is the only way to go. I started getting rid of everything i had that used gas about a year ago. After hurricane rita i realized that is was much easier to have everything use the same fuel. Diesel is much easier to keep and safer. If i have to evaucate for a storm i can take diesel with me and bring it back. And use it while i wait for the price to come back down.
IF you house is plumbed for it I say use it... but if your planning on bottles / tanks forget it!!! I watched so many people sporting 100-300 lb tanks run out in 48 hours or less last year. The fuel consumption rate is much higher on LP and NG and getting a refill on a tank will never happen after a storm.
The tank(s) problem has made me rething propane. That was why I mentioned NG and was thinking a duel fuel conversion (NG/gas) would make some sense. But for that to be fail safe, so to speak, I would still need to store gas to guard against a NG cutoff.
Quote:
Originally Posted by devilman96
From personal experience I agree with Ken... Gasoline is worth its weight in gold during a disaster.
If your worried about maintenance fire the gen set up yearly, run the gas out and do a final run with a little denatured alcohol to clean it out. Spray it down with WD40 and shrink wrap it up for storage. I have this down to a science with all of the ones I have to care for at work.
The biggest thing... If you can afford (even if you have to stretch for it)... skip the NG, LP, and gas... BUY DIESEL!!!
The MEP-016 was an impulse purchase made from a point of ignorance. It has been a good learning experience so I'm not sorry for it but I am keeping my eyes open for a small diesel genset.
Thanks to all for sharing their experience and advice. SS is a wonderful resource on many, many levels.
genset propane conversion anyone?
