Natural gas generator conversion

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by Harbin, Dec 30, 2012.


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  1. Harbin

    Harbin Monkey+

    I've been looking at putting a conversion kit on a commercial Generac so it can run on gasoline or natural gas. Im keeping an eye out for a used onan rv unit, but for the occasional storm related outage this 8kw unit has performed really well. If/when shtf, any ideas on how long natural gas would continue to flow? I store enough fuel right now for at least 2 weeks of continued running, plus what's in the cars and truck.

    Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
     
    Harbin, Dec 30, 2012
    #1
  2. JABECmfg

    JABECmfg multi-useless

    I think nature and extent of SHTF event would be huge factors.

    Good idea though, being able to use either fuel. Gasoline won't keep forever, but the propane tanks like the ones found on gas grills are abundant.
     
    JABECmfg, Dec 30, 2012
    #2
  3. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    If you decide to pull the trigger on this conversion, Call 1.887.425.8383, Ask for Richard.
    I've been doing business with him since 05, He's good to go !!!
     
    Gator 45/70, Dec 30, 2012
    #3
  4. Harbin

    Harbin Monkey+

    Thanks! I'm pretty set on it, just wanted some input. I'll be sure to call him for the kit.

    Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
     
    Harbin, Dec 30, 2012
    #4
  5. Mountainman

    Mountainman Großes Mitglied Site Supporter+++

    Does he have a web site to check out the products?
     
    Mountainman, Dec 30, 2012
    #5
  6. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    They already make generators they call Tri-fuel. You can switch fuel without even shutting down. usually set up as gas, propane, natural gas, but other fuel options are available. I looked into them before I bought my unit. They were in the 8kwt range, and more than I needed, but would have been nice to have.
     
    kellory, Dec 31, 2012
    #6
  7. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    kckndrgn, Dec 31, 2012
    #7
    Mountainman likes this.
  8. Mountainman

    Mountainman Großes Mitglied Site Supporter+++

    Number no workey!
     
    Mountainman, Jan 2, 2013
    #8
  9. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Really.. ? Wait let me look it up again...
     
    Gator 45/70, Jan 2, 2013
    #9
  10. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Gator 45/70, Jan 2, 2013
    #10
    Mountainman likes this.
  11. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    BTPost, Jan 2, 2013
    #11
    Mountainman likes this.
  12. Harbin

    Harbin Monkey+

    Does anyone have any thoughts on what would cause NG to stop flowing? Would a massive power outage cause this? Forgive the ignorance if this is really obvious and I'm missing it, I know very little about natural gas distribution and storage plants. I'm assuming they require power to keep the gas flowing, whether it comes from the same grid we all use or they produce their own with backups gensets.

    Anyone live in the Northeast during that last massive outage and know if gas stopped flowing as well?
     
    Harbin, Jan 2, 2013
    #12
  13. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    The only thing that I know of that will stop NG is an earthquake. I may be wrong, but that's what I learned in my CERT class. Earthquakes may break or damage the underground lines and the system will be shutdown until they are inspected after a quake.

    some useful info


    How Does the Natural Gas Delivery System Work? - Natural Gas
     
    kckndrgn, Jan 2, 2013
    #13
  14. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    NG delivery may/will be affected by the duration of an outage. If the pipelines remain intact and storage can remain under enough pressure to supply the distribution system, all will be well. I believe, but am not positive, that local tankage is supplied by transmission pipeline (from the gas fields to local storage) pressure, meaning that upstream pressure takes care of holding storage pressure high enough to maintain the distribution system. Lots goes on between the wells and the kitchen stove, any of which could be problematic. There is a LOT of designed in work-arounds to accommodate failures upstream. Upstream compressor power is always a tender spot, but there are LOTS of them such that one (or many more) offline won't even be a hiccup.

    This does not mean that local pressure will be high enough to fuel vehicles. That is a whole 'nuther subject.
     
    ghrit, Jan 2, 2013
    #14
    Gator 45/70 likes this.
  15. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    On MOST NG Pipelines, all the Pumps are run off the NG that is coming down the Pipe.... This allows everything to keep running as long as the Pipeline Integrity stays intact. the Pipeline Companies just figure that the BTUs used to pump the pipeline are just "The Cost of doing Business"....
     
    BTPost, Jan 2, 2013
    #15
  16. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    True enough...There are bypass valve's in place to go around a facility with problem's, Earthquake's WILL shut one down,Also the safety system will have a PSH/L (pressure safety high low) should catch it and automatically close valve's..There are way's to bypass this...But that's all i'll post...
     
    Gator 45/70, Jan 2, 2013
    #16
  17. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    We pay a fuel tax to the gooberment for fuel usage...Our own gas from our own well's..Go figure...lol
     
    Gator 45/70, Jan 2, 2013
    #17
  18. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    I can't say this for an absolute certainty, but I think the (local) compressors are driven by dual fuel ICEs, ng and diesel. Straight or blended, I don't know. I do know they are turbo boosted and noisy as hell. Even with sound enclosures, you can hear them at half a mile. There are diesel tanks on all the compressor sites, whether as primary fuel, starting fuel, or blended, dunno. Will try to find out, now the question has occurred to me.
     
    ghrit, Jan 2, 2013
    #18
  19. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Most of the compressor's are Nat.gas, The diesel is usually for back up generator's...
     
    Gator 45/70, Jan 2, 2013
    #19
  20. -06

    -06 Monkey+++

    A bud simply drilled a hole into the top of the carb tapped a fitting in and ran a line to the tank. He adjusts the speed via a shut off valve. Says it works fine.
     
    -06, Jan 2, 2013
    #20
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