Generator converted to Propane - using new tanks issues

thatguy · Apr 30, 2016

I just bought propane conversion kits for my two Honda UE2000is from US Carburetion when they ran a $97 (normally $187) special on another forum. They have new kits that you dont need to drill into the carb, a snorkel fits at the carb air intake..

MOTOR SNORKEL TRI-FUEL (Natural Gas, Propane, and Gasoline) Conversion Kit

Their instructions said to NOT use a new propane tank - any tank should have been refilled 3 to 4x due to the possibility of air still in the tank. I have 6 tanks, 4 are brand new have just been refilled for the first time, the other two have been refilled several times..

Has anyone had issues running a propane converted generator off a new/newer tank that hasn't been refilled more than 2x?

brasco426 · Apr 30, 2016

I work for a Propane and Heating Fuel delivery company. Most new tanks are coming completely evacuated and shipped in a vacuum. Unless the vacuum has been lost you should be ok.

Gary Fowler · Apr 30, 2016

If the new tanks were vented while filling, then all air would be expelled if any were in the tank since propane vapor is much heavier than air. I don't think I would worry about any air in a propane tank at all.

thatguy · Apr 30, 2016

thanks.. I havent done the conversion(s) so, but Ill try them once i do..

I know the two newest tanks had stickers that said they were purged and came from Sams Club.. The other two newer tanks also came from Sams but I dont remember seeing a sticker saying they were purges..

Brian

CurlyDave · Apr 30, 2016

thatguy said:
...Has anyone had issues running a propane converted generator off a new/newer tank that hasn't been refilled more than 2x?

I installed one of their kits on our 15 kw Generac about 2 years ago. The propane source is our 500 gallon house tank, which has never been drawn down more than about 150 gallons in the 8 years since we installed it. Our total purchases of propane have been well under 500 gallons, probably under 300 gallons over those 8 years.

The motor snorkel kit works flawlessly. I exercise it for 15-30 minutes ~ every 3 months, and there have been at lease three several hour power outages where it has done just what it should do.

Most of the times I exercise it, I get my wife to start it, and we walk through the drill on starting it, switching the house over to generator power and then reverting to grid power when it comes back. Somehow I know that I will be out when the power goes off. I have written up a step by step instruction sheet she uses.

The generator always starts in seconds and runs like a champ.

This is an electric start generator, and I have rigged a trickle charger which is powered from the grid so the battery is always full when there is an outage.

4570Man · Apr 30, 2016

I have ran forklifts off brand new tanks without a problem. I can't imagine that being much of a problem.

thatguy · May 4, 2016

I finished up converting both of my generators today.. Initially i ran them off an older tank to make sure they would run, but then switched to a brand new (purged at the factory) tank that I had filled locally.. The generators ran fine off of the new tank..

IF anyone want to do an easy conversion to propane/natural gas/gas - I highly recommend the US Carb snorkel kits..

thanks for all the advice

Brian

oosik · May 5, 2016

On any new conversion to propane you will run the generator to see that all is OK. This initial run and subsequent "exercise runs" should reveal if there is a problem long before the generator is actually needed. I see no problems using new tanks. A correctly filled new tank should be completely void of any air.

Larry Caldwell · May 5, 2016

It depends on who filled the new tank. A propane professional will make sure the tank has been purged. A service station employee may know nothing about propane but how to screw the fitting on.