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Two Letters Re Converting A Gasoline Engine Generator Set to Propane
Hi Jim,
Regarding the thread on converting generators to propane, last
year I installed a tri-fuel conversion
kit on
my 7.5 KW generator,
that has a Honda engine. [Since the conversion] it works perfectly
and [the conversion kit] was very easy to install. If the [grid] power
goes out,
I
can switch
it to
the piped-in natural gas and if that goes out, I can either use propane
or gasoline.
I also got an inexpensive solar trickle charger and connected that
to the battery, so that the battery is always fully charged. Best Regards,
- Kurt
JWR Replies: I consider the small (5 watt) 12 VDC battery
trickle chargers that you mentioned a must for every retreat. We
have one
for each
of our vehicles here at the ranch.
Keeping one of these connected to your backup generator battery is
a great idea. They are available from Northern
Tool & Equipment
.
(One of our Affiliate
Advertisers.) At Northern Tool's web
site, search on Item # 339973.
Jim
Propane is a good long term fuel for home and engine use as long as
"the system" continues to work. How long will you be able to maintain
your power needs after the balloon goes up?
Things to think about, [are]:
What are the common failure parts in
you genset and
automobile?
What are your consumables, gas, oil, diesel, hoses, gaskets?
How long
can you practically extend oil changes and not damage your engines?
Can
you add a oil purifier to your engine?
Wood gasifiers are a proven and reliable source of fuel to run engines
for the long term. As long as there are trees and shrubs then you have
fuel.
The
GENGAS web page has charts and plans for a stratified down draft
gasifier that can run all manner of internal combustion engines including
diesels
cars and generators.
If you want to see the kind of engines that stand
the test of time go down to your local farm and see how many of the
old tractors are still running [that were made] from the 1940s to the
1960s.
I would be careful about spending money on conversions that will only
be useful while the [modern commercial] supply system is running.
One
other note: How safe is your fuel storage from fire and to incoming
[small arms]
fire?
Large
propane tanks can and have leveled city blocks when set on fire. In
some locales
underground
tanks are illegal so a block house away from your main structure would
be in order, and security for same must be reviewed.
Now think of your last power outage. How quiet was your neighborhood?
How far does the sound of your genset carry?
Remember that needs and wants are a long way apart. Skills are cheap
and you can accumulate lots of those and no one can take them from
you. Goods cost money and they can be taken or lost. The short of it
is: do not buy what you can learn to build or do without. In my humble
opinion the best way to survive is to organize like a Special Forces
team with overlapping skill sets. And never rule out mobility as strategically
v have any choice. Learn all you can about it. Good reference books
to have are the U.S. Army's FM 7-8
on infantry tactics and battle drills and the Ranger handbook. A
third "must have" is ST 31-91B US Army Special Forces medical
handbook. As the motto
[borrowed from the British SAS]
goes: "Who dares, wins".
Sorry for the rambling but I read your blog every day at 0400 and don't
get to write that often. so I start my day with a good cup of coffee
and good friends. God Bless and Semper Paratus, - Mike H.
