Tri Fuel Adapter for Gas Generators on Gearhog

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by GOG, May 12, 2016.


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  1. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    Got this in an email from Gearhog. For under a hundred bucks it seems like a good idea. The link is to the outfit that's selling the thing.
    What say you all, is this worthwhile or is it snake oil?

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

    I don't know if posting this is in violation of board rules, if it is, mods please just delete this.
     
    Motomom34 likes this.
  2. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Your post of a "good idea" is good to go. There are tri-fuel conversions done by several mfrs. Whether this one is any good, well, I don't know.
     
  3. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    Thanks, at least now I know it's worth doing a bit of research. I think the idea has merit.
     
  4. AD1

    AD1 Monkey+++

    I got the same email today. Dont know anything about it.
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2016
  5. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    The system for my generator is $227. I don't know if there's a discount on the specific kit I need or not but I'm probably going to take the plunge on the Motor Snorkel version. Even at that price it seems a no brainer to have a back up fuel capability.
     
  6. Mountainman

    Mountainman Großes Mitglied Site Supporter+++

    Unless there is an adjustment for the air fuel mixture between propane and natural gas this thing will only work for one or the other. I would not buy it and seems overpriced compared to the real conversions out there. Converted 3 gens with parts from the link below and they work fine on propane or gas.

    Natural gas generator conversion | Page 2 | Survival Monkey Forums
     
  7. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    That's very interesting, thanks @Mountainman. The option I found is for propane and/or gasoline. Natural gas takes a different set. I'm going to call those folks at CTS today.
     
  8. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    @GOG , in the link referenced by MountainMan, I linked to the place where i got my Tri-Fuel conversion. It does look similar to the one from your link, not the 'snorkel' part but the image that shows the regulator, connections, etc. That's essentially what I put in, and there is a piece that looks like a "T" fitting where one side is basically a needle screw that's used to adjust the flow of LPG/NG out of the regulator.
    One of the things I got was a tachometer for my generator. When running on LPG I can adjust the flow of gas so that the tack reads the correct rpm of engine. While I've never used it with NG, the premise is the same.

    If I remember,I'll get a pictures of my generator with the tri-fuel conversion kit installed.
     
    GOG likes this.
  9. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    Thanks, I appreciate it.
    I can only use the propane adapter version, there's no natural gas at my property.
     
  10. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    This system does not govern the fuel, so you must do it your self .The engines governor is not controlling the fuel.
    If you must control the fuel manually,(you become the governor . the engines governor( except for allowing more air ) is no longer having much influence on increased loads.
    Air cooled Engines that run lean, run very hot.
    I am told that vapored fuels have less power than gasoline.
    This means too, that if/when you shut off the generator, you need to promptly shut off the vapor gas to the carburetor..
    Personally I would use the system to supplement liquid gas fuel, by providing only enough vapored fuel to provide unloaded running at required speed, and allow/provide the liquid fuel to be introduced normally through the carbonator, so as the engine is loaded and the engines governor opens the throttle, compensating for the load . the liquid fuel will be there to compensate for what's required. Then the engine would have the power it needs to perform properly, and the engine's governor would be performing it's job , and the engines temperature would be more in line with how the engine was designed to begin with.
    It won't use any more or less fuel , but it will be using it more for the health of the engine and the things your running on the generator.
    Tinkering with a generator ,you'll need a tachometer , the generator it's self is required to rotate at specific speed ,"especially loaded" .
    You need to know what this speed is because it varies from unit to unit.
    The specific speed is providing the 60 cycle phase required by the electric motors your driving with it.
    This is what makes the governor on the engine so important , and manually governing risky.
     
    Cruisin Sloth and GOG like this.
  11. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Be careful reading and following the above. There are some generalizations and inaccuracies that require machine specific information to implement correctly.
     
    GOG likes this.
  12. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    Thanks gents.
     
  13. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Most TriFuel Conversions have a Demand Regulator installed as part of the conversion.... This device senses the Vacuum thru the Carb Throat, and adjusts the flow of Gaseous Fuel to match the Load. When there is NO Vacuum then the Demand Regulator, does NOT open, and no fuel flows into the Carb.
     
    GOG likes this.
  14. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    The regulator I saw in the kit is not the vacuum sensitive one.
     
    GOG likes this.
  15. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    I'm a bit confused now, but I'm sure it will come clear with some thought. I learn by observation and doing. Putting "word information" into clear thought and action is not my forte.
    I'm gonna' hit youtube and look at some of this stuff.
     
  16. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    What is posted above is all true .

    Safe way is to have all systems automatic LPG or CNG gas to be shut off & controlled VIA pressure valves / filters /regulators or the Negative supply type ..

    Be safe before being as cheap as I
    Sloth
     
    GOG likes this.
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