Portable Propane Generator

Whether for Emergencies or a Tailgate Party, A Propane Powered Generator Has Many Cool Advantages

There are many reasons to consider a portable propane generator.

Most generators are powered by gasoline, but it really isn't the most efficient fuel to use. While gasoline is fairly inexpensive, it doesn't store well for long periods of time.

During times of disaster, there may be long lines at the gas pump, if you can find any gas available at all. If you're looking to power a generator that will get you through major power outages and natural disasters, you want to be looking at converting your generator to natural gas or propane.

You can hook up a natural gas line directly to your converted generator, or you can use tanks of propane. Some choose to use 5 gallon tanks like the ones you use for gas barbecues. Others prefer to install a large, permanent tank of propane that can hold 100, 200 or even 1000 gallons indefinitely.

Advantages of a Natural Gas or Portable Propane Generator

• No noxious fumes to bother you or the neighbors
• Better for the environment due to cleaner emissions
• Carburetor does not gum up like it does when running gasoline
• Can buy and store larger quantities of fuel safely, giving you longer running times
• Safer fuel to use
• Less maintenance
• Longer engine life due to the fuel containing no impurities
• No choke required to start the generator so you can use remote starting
• Propane and natural gas provide the same amount of power as gasoline
• Ability to connect to larger tanks or a pipe line
• Longer generator life due to less wear and tear from running out while under load
• Use a microwave at a tailgate party!

Propane Generator Conversion Kits

Conversion kits are available that help you convert your generator over to propane or natural gas. They are simple enough that you can do it yourself. There are different kinds of conversion kits to fit your needs.

For example, you can use a Type 1 portable propane generator kit. It is for propane user only. A Type 2 kit outfits your generator to run on either propane or gasoline. A Type 3 kit lets you use both natural gas or propane on your generator, while a Type 4 kit lets you use natural gas, propane and gasoline (referred to as tri-fuel ).

Conversion kits can be bought to suit your particular generator. For example, Yamaha makes conversion kits for each of their generator series, making it easy for you to turn your major investment into a truly reliable, long lasting portable propane generator.

How to Install a Generator Conversion Kit

Making portable propane generators from gasoline generators is very doable. All it involves is a little work on the carburetor and your generator can run efficiently on propane or natural gas. It involves a few tools and some basic know-how. If you can change a spark plug, you can convert your generator.

The first thing you need to do is remove the carburetor from the engine. You may need to remove the air cleaner cover to get to it. There will be nuts holding the air cleaner housing to the opening of the carburetor. Remove these nuts and any other bolts that may attach the air cleaner to the carburetor. Lay them out somewhere they will not get lost. Take notes if you need to so you don't forget what goes where.

Take apart everything attached to the carburetor, again taking notes about where they go. You will need to remove the float bowl, the bowl screw, the float pin, the float, the needle, the high speed jet and nozzle and the idle mixture screw.

The new vacuum fitting will need to be installed into the idle mixture port. To do this, you need to drill out the main passage in the carburetor so the new fuel tube will fit. Use a 15/64 or a 17/64 drill bit for this job.

Drill through the main passage of the carburetor until you can see the bit in the air stream. Now, drill the interior of the idle vacuum fitting to create a stronger signal. Install the new fuel tube using the threads that used to hold the float bowl. Seal up all the ports except the idle fitting and the main fuel tube with silicone.

The silicone needs at least 24 hours to set. Once it has finished, you can reinstall the carburetor. This is an important step because you don't want any silicone drawn into the air stream when you run the generator.

Reinstall the carburetor and attach the engine regulator to the frame. Cut and install the fuel and vacuum hoses and you're ready to connect your new portable propane generator to its new fuel supply.

Buying a Portable Propane Generator

Most portable generators sold are gasoline, so you'll have to look around a bit to find a true, off-the-shelf, portable propane generator.

Your choices are:

• Find a propane powered generator at an online site such as Amazon.
• Buy a used one from a site such as Ebay or Craigstlist
• Buy a brand new name-brand generator that is already converted for you. You can purchase many different brands that are propane or tri-fuel ready at a site like GeneratorSales.com

For some great detailed information about portable propane generators, visit PropaneGenerators.com