Portable Generator Fuel Question

[John B.]

What is everyones' opinion on generators that burn LP fuel or gasoline fuel?
I'm thinking of taking my older 10hp B&S powered generator and adding an LP system on it.
I like the thought of not having the LP gas go bad and the longer run time on a tank of fuel than just the one gallon tank that's on it.
Small LP tanks will be available more readily I would think during an ice storm than gasoline if the stations are out of power for any length of time.

 

[buickanddeere]

I just ran my spare generator, a Briggs & Stratton last week for 11 hours. Fuel is 6-1/2 years old and no snake oil added. Engine started on the 3rd or 4th pull after turning the fuel back on and filling the carburator.

 

[wilson ind]

Good to know I store 100 gal of non ethanol gasoline for emergencies . After two years no problems. Was wondering how long
before I need to use and take barrels to town where one pump is straight gasoline

 

[moresmoke]

Depends on your situation. I generally only keep 10 gal of gas on hand, but usually have at least 200 of lp.

 

[Offandgone]

Been there, done that. The LP ran so hot that the plastic governor gear melted enough that it bound up and broke it. After that I noticed that Honda had a service note that they had the same thing and LP would void the warranty. Might want to check with B&S.
Frank

 

[D beatty]

My generator runs on gasoline and will run about 9 hours on 3gallon of fuel. I keep fuel around all the time with stabilizer in it. If generator sets all summer I pump it out in the fall and put it in tractors and put fresh fuel generator. I keep about 40 gallons around in winter and if I got into a pinch in winter I could get gas from garden or farm tractors. .

 

[David G]

I would think the parts to covert one that small would be more than the generator is worth.

 

[Arnold Layne]

LP is the only way to go! We got a wild ice storm a few years ago, poles down for miles and I'm at the end of the line. Ran my 9hp Briggs gen. for maybe three days on gasoline and then converted to lp, set a 500 gal. tank beside the garage and ran it for the next 20 days, only shutting down the morning after 100 hors for oil changes, and the old oil looked as clean as when it went in. Several kits available, mine was a couple hundred bucks in '07, super easy install, looks factory. It is still the back-up for my house, the carb is gummed up and it won't run on gas anymore but it runs great on lp. Go for it, you will never go back!

 

[Fawteen]

I don't know about converting older engines, but I LOVE my LP Kohler genset.

No stopping to refuel, no waiting for it to cool down to refuel safely, no hauling gas cans or spilling gas.

Only had one significant outage since I had the system installed and it ran perfectly for 36 hours non-stop. A few days later I had the fuel company come refill the tank. Done. No muss, no fuss.

 

[bill mart]

6 1/2 years seems way too long for gasoline to sit. Just took a car out of storage after 12 years .full tank of gas, tank and sending unit were rusted beyond repair. On my multiple small engines I try to change out the fuel at least once a year and run them until the new fuel is in the system. Bill

 

[bill mart]

here is a company I have used to convert several engines to propane. There are multiple options on fuel combinations. Bill
us carburation

 

[JDEM]

I converted one of my generators to propane with a add-on kit I robbed off another engine (Subaru 8 horse). Coleman 5000 watt with a 10 horse Briggs & Stratton. Works fine as far as I can tell. I'm sure it's max power is a little less now. Runs just the same as before but is a little finicky when starting warm. No more hand choke and sometimes it seems like it floods a bit. Always starts great cold but if warmed up and shut down, it's a little trouble getting it going again. Not something I'm worried about. I like having at least one generator that won't have any fuel going bad in it. Glad I did it. I've got half-a-dozen generators laying around. All get new gas every year or so - with Stabil. Even so - I still wind up pulling apart the carbs and cleaning out to get started on some. It's a crap-shoot. I'm bringing it up to a cabin where I have solar and a battery bank. I already have a big propane tank there so this is perfect for that situation. And yes - I've heard all the stories about people with old gas and no problems. I just started up a car in my barn with gas that is 8 years old. Gas is dark and stunk - but it DID start and run. I've also had a few with problems after just one year. If you opt for diesel or propane - that is one problem that is eliminated (unless there is water and bacteria in the diesel).

 

[buickanddeere]

(quoted from post at 06:32:33 04/03/16) 6 1/2 years seems way too long for gasoline to sit. Just took a car out of storage after 12 years .full tank of gas, tank and sending unit were rusted beyond repair. On my multiple small engines I try to change out the fuel at least once a year and run them until the new fuel is in the system. Bill

91 Octane and no ethanol. Ran just fine. Generator was stored indoors out of the sun's heat.

 

[PJH]

Thanks for the tip Frank - I've been thinking of getting an LP kit for my Honda generator. I think I'll do more research before I shell out the dough.

 

[Russ from MN]

I think temperature and humidity have a lot to do with the life of gasoline, and it depends when you bought it. Summer gas will last longer that winter because of the formula. Google it, there is lots of information! Leaving a gas can or a tractor sit out in the hot sun is the worst thing, sitting the cans on the ground in the shade is best, very little temperature change.

 

[Dean]

"...no ethanol."

Bingo.

Dean

 

[Tramway Guy]

LP- gas or natural gas will give you only 85-90% power compared to gasoline unless compression is raised. But that may not be a problem in most cases. It is definitely has its advantages as others have noted.

 

[marloweg]

our fire dept uses True Fuel in all saws,pumps and gen.have 0 problems stuff is good for three years. we get it premixed and straight for 2 and 4 cycle engines we love the stuff. we buy it in 5 gal cans

 

[jacks]

John,

IN addition to the other good advice posted, you should plan on installing a large enough tank to vaporize adequate fuel at the lowest temperature that you want to use the generator at:

http://www.propane-generators.com/propane_usage.php

According to the information at the linked site, a 10 hp generator needs about 100000 btuh of propane to operate. At 20 degrees F, you would need at least a 420 gallon tank to vaporize enough propane to keep the generator running. Smaller tanks would keep it running for a while until they froze up.

 

[jeffcat]

You can buy kits on fleabay but you might just want to purchase a new unit and it is all setup and ready to go. In the new jersey area is an outfit called PC Richards. Sorta like best buy but a little smaller. They have a 10K beast for sale that is duel fuel, gas and LP.Around the $9oo mark but fully ready to go and power anything you have.

 

[Dusty MI]

I would consider going to an Inverter LP generator. In auto mode, they only run as fast as the amount of power is needed

 

[D beatty]

If you maintain a generator as you should you should never have fuel problems with gasoline. Most are to lazy to see that they are properly taken care of.

 

[Butch(OH)]

I am of the opinion that any fuel is better than gasoline for a standby set. LP, natural gas or diesel are much preferred. and kits to convert from gasoline to LP are available from many sources. Which is best for you depends on if you are currently using LP for heating and of course if natural gas is available. Since we had neither LP or Nat Gas I went with diesel and have never looked back. The lone draw back to diesel is an outage happening at 20 below and getting it started. What ever you choose be certain to get in a habit of exercising your set regularly or its all just money down the tubes, it wont run when needed.