Champion 3400 -- Propane Port

[jim6090]

I have a 2017 FC 30 Bunk. with a propane port. I bought a 3400 Champion dual fuel Inverter/Generator. I read that many people are running their generators off the propane port. Several said the run 2 hondas. Our port will not provide enough gas to run the generator. What can I do? Modifications? I can connect directly to the tank with no problem. Really wanted the simplicity of a quick connection to the port. HELP!!

[cwf]

Since the Gen runs ok directly from a tank, problem could be the two pressure regulators being in line. From the LP tank pressure can be "stepped down". The AS regulator will provide proper pressure and volume to the AS components. If another regulator is further down stream, it will be limited by the AS regulator upstream.

To resolve, can you remove or bypass the Gen regulator and directly connect from the AS? To me that is simplest fix.

If you can't do the above, you will need a port between the AS tanks and the AS regulator... that will take creative plumbing.

Hope someone has better solution.. good luck!

[jim6090]

Thanks -- I figured it out. needed to use secondary regulator. Works like a champ now!!

[AZBob1]

I see others on this thread have been successful running propane generators using the external low pressure port of their AS. I have a 2017 International Serenity 19ft. I connected my Champion Dual Fuel 3500/3100 watt generator to the outside propane port using the 6 ft propane hose that came with the AS that I added a 3/8 quick connect male fitting to attach to the generator. This hose does not have a regulator and relies on the internal AS regulator. I could not get enough propane pressure necessary to run my generator. I called Airstream Customer Service and they told me the AS internal regulator has pressure of an 11 in column of water (the measurement the regulator gave to AS. The AS Customer Service person said the external propane port is only meant to use with a small propane stove/grill and does not have enough pressure to run a generator. I also tested the generator by removing one of the 30 gal propane tanks from the AS and using the 6 ft hose and regulator that came with the generator. That worked fine. Does anyone know what I can do to get the external propane port to work with my generator?

[mixedpuppy]

Originally Posted by jim6090

Thanks -- I figured it out. needed to use secondary regulator. Works like a champ now!!

Just had a quick connect added to our airstream, one intended use is to connect to our champion generator. First, are there readily available male-to-male quick connect hoses? I couldn't find any on amazon. Second, is the pressure actually too low for this to work? Why did a second regulator work? What is your setup?


Thanks!

[nickteller25]

Originally Posted by mixedpuppy

Just had a quick connect added to our airstream, one intended use is to connect to our champion generator. First, are there readily available male-to-male quick connect hoses? I couldn't find any on amazon. Second, is the pressure actually too low for this to work? Why did a second regulator work? What is your setup?


Thanks!

Hi. I'm having this same issue. Did you find a resolution?? Thanks in advance.

[AirMiles]

I frequently run my Champion 3400W Dual Fuel generator off my Airstream quick disconnect fitting all day long without any issues. Here is a post that describes what I've done. Basically, I removed the small pressure regulator from the Champion hose but keep the large fuel controller in the line. Pictures and description in the following post.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ml#post1996143

[nickteller25]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

I frequently run my Champion 3400W Dual Fuel generator off my Airstream quick disconnect fitting all day long without any issues. Here is a post that describes what I've done. Basically, I removed the small pressure regulator from the Champion hose but keep the large fuel controller in the line. Pictures and description in the following post.



http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ml#post1996143

Awesome. This is very helpful. Thank you.

[swan]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

I frequently run my Champion 3400W Dual Fuel generator off my Airstream quick disconnect fitting all day long without any issues. Here is a post that describes what I've done. Basically, I removed the small pressure regulator from the Champion hose but keep the large fuel controller in the line. Pictures and description in the following post.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ml#post1996143

Thanks for this. I’m having a hard time finding the right quick-connect to work with the Airstream port. Can you give specifics about the parts you bought to make this conversion work?

[rmkrum]

Since my Airstream is older, I chose to go with a 3/8" quick connect system and appropriate larger hoses. It did not have any quick-connect port when I got it. Had to add piping and valving between the AS regulator and the copper propane piping.

I did separate the larger low-pressure regulator and the smaller high pressure regulator with additional 3/8 quick-connect fittings. I've written up and provided pictures of this install and conversion somewhere else on the forums, in connection with the use of a Champion 3400 Inverter dual fuel generator set.

Try the search box: Here is the thread where connecting a Champion Dual Fuel to the AS regulator is heavily discussed:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f382...-175058-2.html

My meanderings and pictures start around post #20. Detailed pictures of MY version of the conversion start at post #182, same thread.

Have a look at the whole thread for a sense of what several have done.

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by swan

Thanks for this. I’m having a hard time finding the right quick-connect to work with the Airstream port. Can you give specifics about the parts you bought to make this conversion work?

This is the one I bought and use. https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Propane...EWL&ref=plSrch

[rmkrum]

Somewhere in the thread I referenced, after post #182 should be an Amazon part list for the 3/8 quick connect and hose assembly stuff I used. Note that I went to 3/8 ports and hoses to make sure I would be able to get full flow to the generator through a hose that could be extended up to 24 feet with the two extension hose assemblies I ended up building. Wanted to be sure I could get the generator far enough from my AS to minimize noise, and provide distance for the carbon monoxide and other exhaust products from the engine to dissipate sufficiently.

With Propane (and Natural Gas, for that matter) the longer the piping run, and the more bends and fittings, the more the flow is restricted. 1/4 inch quick connects restrict the flow a lot. Since I do not know design parameters for propane gas that well, I figured that at least one size bigger fittings and the larger ID hoses would probably be a good idea to make sure the generator did not starve for fuel.

I do have tables for natural gas, so I used them for a rough idea. For Natural gas piping, even a pipe elbow counts as quite a long pipe for size and distance calculations and design purposes, and smaller diameter pipes cannot be used for appreciably long distances. So. bigger I went, in accordance with the "Overkill Engineering Department" general processes and techniques. (grin)

Please be aware that I am NOT an expert on propane fuel systems, piping design, and safety-related parameters. The stuff I am writing about is what I did, and I do not assume any liability whatsoever for what you or any other person or entity might do with your propane and generator system design, use of such systems, or results therefrom. When in doubt, consult an expert in such matters--they get paid to know what they are doing.

[Pencilpusher]

I run two Honda 2200 generators off the propane port on my Airstream. 1/4" quick connect fitting at the trailer with a 1/2" propane hose that is 20 feet long with a tee at the end with 3/8" quick connect fittings to each generator. Works perfectly!

[swan]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

I frequently run my Champion 3400W Dual Fuel generator off my Airstream quick disconnect fitting all day long without any issues. Here is a post that describes what I've done. Basically, I removed the small pressure regulator from the Champion hose but keep the large fuel controller in the line. Pictures and description in the following post.



http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ml#post1996143

So, I am running a 12’ hose off my Airstream low-pressure quick-connect ¼” fitting, into the regulator (minus the low-pressure piece you took off), then into the 3400.

I can get it to run sort of smooth with the choke all the way out, but if I put the choke in, it bogs down. It won’t run my AC—but it did with the stock connector that goes straight to the tank.

If I let it warm up for a minute or two, I can close the choke sometimes, but when the AC turns on, the 3400 bogs down and quits.

Any ideas?

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by swan

So, I am running a 12’ hose off my Airstream low-pressure quick-connect ¼” fitting, into the regulator (minus the low-pressure piece you took off), then into the 3400.

I can get it to run sort of smooth with the choke all the way out, but if I put the choke in, it bogs down. It won’t run my AC—but it did with the stock connector that goes straight to the tank.

If I let it warm up for a minute or two, I can close the choke sometimes, but when the AC turns on, the 3400 bogs down and quits.

Any ideas?

It sounds like you have it connected exactly like mine. I have never had it do what you are describing. Mine even works from the Airstream quick disconnect port even at 8500' of elevation. It sounds like a gas volume problem. Is your propane tank knob turned up enough? Do you have multiple tanks? Does it act the same from both tanks?

[swan]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

It sounds like you have it connected exactly like mine. I have never had it do what you are describing. Mine even works from the Airstream quick disconnect port even at 8500' of elevation. It sounds like a gas volume problem. Is your propane tank knob turned up enough? Do you have multiple tanks? Does it act the same from both tanks?

I’ll try the other tank. I’m using ¼” piping, do you think that makes a difference?

[AirMiles]

I also bought this hose that I could connect between my 12' hose and propane tank (without the 1/4" quick connect fitting).

https://www.amazon.com/DOZYANT-Unive.../dp/B01GZPBCPU

You can buy a similar hose at Home Depot or Lowes and the fittings to connect it. I would buy this hose and test it directly to the propane tank. Then you will know if the problem is your Airstream quick disconnect port or the hose that you made.

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by swan

I’ll try the other tank. I’m using ¼” piping, do you think that makes a difference?

What do you mean by 1/4" piping? I used 1/4" rubber high-pressure propane hose. Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/SHINESTAR-Pro.../dp/B07F1QN9TH

[swan]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

What do you mean by 1/4" piping? I used 1/4" rubber high-pressure propane hose. Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/SHINESTAR-Pro.../dp/B07F1QN9TH

Sorry. ¼” quick disconnect hoses. I notice the hose that connects to the generator, after the regulator, is thicker—even though it terminates in a ¼” male quick connect. The hose on the bottom is the hose going into the gen, on top is the diameter of the one coming out of the trailer.

I think you can get ⅜” hose with ¼” fittings.

[swan]

Like this:

https://www.amazon.com/XHome-Propane.../dp/B0779QLWCY