Generator Fuel Options

[geauxfish]

I don't remember seeing this topic before, but do any of you have experience with conversion kits for portable generators? I have a "storm responder" with the Briggs and Stratton engine.

I've been seriously thinking about getting one of these kits that would allow me to use propane, nat gas, or gasoline. But, there is not a lot of reviews out there on the equipment.

www.propane-generators.com/

[woodyz]

We have 3 generators with conversion kits on them, allowing gasoline, propane or Nat gas and we have used them all with good results on gas and propane, not any natural gas here.
We have added a kit on a one ton diesel truck and a 350 Chevy motor, both ran well on propane. I don't know what the long term effects might be in the internal parts. I have heard rumors that rings and such burn out faster, but I have no experience with that.
The generator, fridge, heat etc. in the RV run on electric, battery or propane and they seem to do alright.
Bottom line I would add the conversion kit if I were you, and I will continue to for us. Buying generators that run on one fuel and putting in a kit is cheaper than buying a tri-fuel ready generator.

[angelhelp]

Woodyz, you anticipated my next question by stating that a gas generator plus a kit is cheaper than a tri-fuel generator.

Here's another question that will probably be a kindergarten-level question to everyone: Let's say I buy a generator with intention of running the icebox (ok, refrigerator) and maybe the furnace. Let's say I know (thanks to other posts in other threads) that the startup isn't the same as the running requirement. Let's say I've added the startups for those 2 items and buy a generator suitable to run them. Do I just run extension cords to the icebox and the furnace or is there some other secret voodoo that I need to know first?

I'm also thinking of only running the icebox (smaller generator needed, less fuel used, less noisy, etc.) since we have managed just fine with the fireplace. Again, do I only need to run a suitably manly extension cord or am I missing some necessary knowledge?

[woodyz]

Some one more electrically inclined can answer with the specifics. But basically running an extension cord will work.

For our large appliances that we might want to run during an outage we tie a line in directly to the fuse box. The bigger stuff generally has a separate circuit from the box. All we are doing is running an alternate or additional line from the generator instead of from the power pole. But we only tie it in to some of the breakers. Also in a pinch we can turn any tied into breaker off and only run a selected piece of equipment.

If someone else doesn't post to the specifics I will have my son write something up.

[angelhelp]

We don't have breakers. We only have the original house fusebox. Did you mean that fusebox or something else? Does a generator have a fusebox?

[woodyz]

The fuse box, you have fuses instead of breakers. If you were to unscrew the fuse to the fridge it would shut the power off to it, by the same note if you ran power from a generator to the power in area behind/under the fuse you could power that fridge with the generator.

But let some one more electical than me tell the proper way to do it, I just know the concept, my son does all the wiring stuff

[geauxfish]

I powered a window unit, upright freezer and fridge on power cords this year during Hurricane Issac. You just need to make sure the cord is rated for the amps that the appliance draws.

[angelhelp]

Ah, that's why the cords are different (and I didn't mean just the typical Christmas light in-the-house cords). Thanks

[olebama]

I got my BIL (electrician) to cut the power line from the breaker box to the furnace. He then put in an electrical outlet and a plug. So, if I need to run the generator, I unplug the furnace from the electrical outlet and into the extension cord.

No costly transfer switch and I don't have to worry about electrocuting a lineman.