2000 watt generators on propane

[lynnsr]

I am looking at putting a propane kit on my 2000w generator.
For those of you that have done this, has the starting been better, been worse, stayed the same?
What have your experiences been like.

I've been using an electric start Yamaha 3000, partially go to the starting problems with the smaller generator, pull, pull, pull.



Thanks

LynnSr

[Adiredneck]

US Carb has some nice conversion Yamahas. I have two of their 2000s. So far, I have only used them on gasoline, so I can't answer your question. I will be on a few trips later this fall where I plan to have them running on propane. Good luck on your conversion!

Tim

[wulfraat]

I used GenConneX. Love propane as you do away with the smell and fumes associated with gas. Plus I have 60lbs of fuel on board the airstream which is great if you are going to tap into your tanks via quick disconnect .... so much more convenient. Plus you don't need to worry about stabilizing fuel in storage and cleaning the carb ever so often

[lynnsr]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

I used genXCconnect. Love propane as you do away with the smell and fumes associated with gas. Plus I have 60lbs of fuel on board the airstream which is great if you are going to tap into your tanks via quick disconnect ....

How is the starting home propane versus gas .
The Gen X connect is what I've ordered

Thanks

LynnSr

[wulfraat]

On my honda 2000 it take 3 pulls to start on propane. Gas took 1-2 pulls.

[Dragline]

I have a Genconnex 3000, initially I had the auto prime installed started just fine on electric and actually better by pulling but still just a couple pulls. However I did find that after time the auto prime after being shaken around by road vibrations would get out of adjustment Gencon sent me a manual prime which is even better two pulls she's running every time, as stated before you'll love propane clean & easy.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Converted our 2000i in 2008, USCarb dual fuel.

I've learned over time, that if I don't purge all the air from the lpg supply line, I can pull it for 10min with no results.

Petrol,(E-free only), used at home, much more convenient in emergencies, lpg when using the AS.
Always stored with an empty gas tank and drained float bowl, 9+yrs>>SFSG.

Bob

[OTRA15]

Bob makes a good point, about purging the LP line.

We have the USCarb conversion on a Yamaha 1k inverter, and use it at the back of our campsites, utilizing 12' of propane "extension hose" from the low-pressure port at the front of our FC20.

I insert a spare male quick-connect fitting in the far end's female quick connect [with shutoff ball valve], and open all the ball valve shutoffs in the line: OEM at trailer; and at each 6' extension cord disconnect fitting. When the propane smell is good and strong, I turn off the last valve and remove the temporary male fitting. The male fitting on the gen's 3' hose, which is full of mostly air, then goes in the 12' extension hose.

Following the US Carb instructions, a few pumps on the gen's propane regulator's prime button, and opening the choke valve, a few pulls on the starter cord usually produce an almost-start. Closing the choke, and a few more pumps of the primer button, will usually result in the gen starting right up on the next pull. "Eco-run" switch must be Off.

So . . . . purging the LP line is an important difference from gas. Once I did this drill a couple of times, it became second nature and fairly quick.

Good luck!

Peter

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

. . .
Petrol,(E-free only), used at home, much more convenient in emergencies, lpg when using the AS.
. . .

We also got a hose/regulator set up for running our US Carb Yamaha 1k off a standard 20-lb. BBQ propane tank, so no need for gas/petrol ever. As you know these tanks are ubiquitous all over the US, in fact most back yards have a ready supply for emergencies at every friend and family member's house!

If you have a propane BBQ you have fuel for a generator. Most folks keep a spare tank on hand during the summer anyway, so for the Yamaha 1k small loads, fuel is not an issue usually. The nearest hardware store, convenience store, or gas station usually carries these tanks as well.

Cheers,

Peter

[ramblinjim]

I have the costco, Champion 2800, Dual Fuel. I have never used gas in it and it always starts on the 3rd or 4th pull. I hook it up to the lp port on my 25 ft. Flying Cloud. I like the propane fuel much better than the gasoline.

[Redlac]

Does anyone know lb propane per hour for a 2000W or 3000W inverter generator?

[GammaDog]

I converted my two, new Honda 2000s before ever running them on gasoline and I've still never put gas in them, so I can't compare starting between the two fuels.

However... both of mine start on the third pull every time (so far). The demand regulators that came with my kits from Propane Carbs have a small button to allow propane to flow freely. I hold that button until I smell propane as a way to know the lines are clear of air.

As for consumption. I measured that using a bathroom scale with each generator under full load (eco mode set to off and a blow dryer plugged into each generator and set to high... not my blow dryer since nature relieved me of the need for that accessory about 15 years ago... my wife and her dog each contributed theirs to the test). Before and after weights of the tanks say I burn 2.0 pounds per hour per generator at full load.

The best news is that keeping gasoline out of those generators improved reliability. If you read forum posts here or on the Honda gourds, the vast majority of starting problems point to fuel and carburetor issues. I don't even start and test them before a trip... or like last week, before a hurricane. When I need them, they start... and on the third pull.

[Relaytest]

I was having some trouble starting my Honda 2000 after a Hutch Mountain conversion. They suggested I change the plug to an Iridium NGK plug part # CR5HIX. Low and behold, it made the difference.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by Relaytest

I was having some trouble starting my Honda 2000 after a Hutch Mountain conversion. They suggested I change the plug to an Iridium NGK plug part # CR5HIX. Low and behold, it made the difference.

That's good to know as I am considering the same modification.

I have a Honda 1000 and a Yamaha 2400 both of which I've converted to LP with Us Carb kits. Then run well with no problems. But the regulator on the outside is kind of bulky and might make storage of a Honda 2000 problematic.

The Gen X conversion is clean, but only for newer Hondas. Mine is too old.

Hutch Mountain looks good, but is expensive. Glad to hear it works well. I may just get another US Carb conversion and mount the regulator separately, as in the Hutch Mt.

[capt_ron777]

This is a bit off the topic, but everyone here sounds knowledgable. I am buying a very slightly used 2017 flying cloud 26 and it has 2 ac units. Will a yamaha 2400iSh be equipped to power one of the ac units. They're each rated at 15,00btu. Thanks

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by capt_ron777

This is a bit off the topic, but everyone here sounds knowledgable. I am buying a very slightly used 2017 flying cloud 26 and it has 2 ac units. Will a yamaha 2400iSh be equipped to power one of the ac units. They're each rated at 15,00btu. Thanks

Put an EasyStart in one of the ACs and it will work fine.

[Dragline]

^^^ Ditto Microair easy start you'll be Golden!

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by capt_ron777

They're each rated at 15,00btu. Thanks

Are you sure? I'm buying a 26 and my understanding the main AC is 15,000 and the second AC is 13,500. I don't think I can tell by looking and the documentation on AS website is vague.

[capt_ron777]

Sorry, I believe your right. Main is 15000 and rear 13500. Another question. Who makes Easy start and how and who needs to install it? Thanks

[rmkrum]

I believe MicroAir makes it, and it is possible to DIY if you are comfortable working on the roof with electrical stuff. Search the forums for more information...