I am getting a standby generator from a estate sale. There isn't to much information available on it, it is as is. I know it works. My question is which one put out more power, natural gas or propane. I read it some place once, and I can't remember, or find it. I would like to use natural gas, but it is all most 100 ft, to where it will be from the meter, and that would be at least 3/4 pipe to get enough gas, if not bigger. So I was looking at propane instead of running all that pipe.

 

What fuel does the generator currectly use?

Mike NJ

 

Propane has more BTUs per volume than natural gas, but natural gas is usually available directly from a pipe supplied by the local gas utility. Propane usually requires a tank for fuel storage and there is a cost to get that tank. These fuels are not directly interchangeable, the porting that supplies the fule has to be sized either for natural gas or propane, so what ever it is currently set up for may be easier to stick with.

 

The chemical formula for methane (natural gas) is CH4, propane is C3H8 (C-carbon, H-hydrogen). Because the propane molecule is much larger than natural gas, it usually requires a different valve or orifice to properly control the fuel flow. I would find out what it is currently running on and stick with that. Generally speaking natural gas is cheaper than propane since it is supplied through a regulated utility. A propane dealer will supply you with a free tank but then you have to purchase the propane from that dealer in most areas (no competition-higher price). If you go with propane, I would purchase portable tanks in the 20-40 pound size to fuel the generator so that you do not have to deal with the propane dealer.

 

It is running on natural gas, but it is suppose to run on both, it comes with the extra parts for the change.

 

I'd stick with natural gas, it's supplied to you whereas you have to go get the propane or have someone deliver it to you.

 

I guess it depends on what you use the gen for.

The cost to run 100 ft gas line can cost about $800 just in material.

If the gen is going to run very often then yeah.

If its just for limited use I would stick with propane.

But you did not specify the wattage or motor size. Propane can be very costly.

Mike NJ

 

The natural gas is cheaper, but the propane is easier. I already have a tank, on the side of the garage, I believe it is a 250, it is a lot bigger then a 100 lb tank. I use it for heat and my torches in the garage. And I am not really into doing all that digging to lay the pipe. And can you even bury cast iron pipe, or would it need to be something else.

 

It would be gas poly pipe.

Mike NJ

 

Yes, it is used for sewers. I believe you meant steel pipe.

 

My mind is kind of foggy from my cold meds. I meant steel, I used it in my garage, for my air manifold.

what is gas poly pipe, is that like the stuff the gas company uses.

 

Products | JM Eagle

 

Edward...

I think when most people refer to steel gas pipe...they say black iron (though it's not really) or just black pipe. The other threaded steel pipe is galvanized...not normally used for gas, though I think it's allowed in some areas.

Yes..the poly pipe is like the gas companies use, only smaller.

 

A while ago, I bought some of that pipe. I bought it to use as bar clamps. For some reason the black, or gas pipe, as some people call it, is cheaper then the galvanized pipe.