I just ordered a tri-fuel kit for my Generac 7550EXL generator. What I need to know is what diameter hose do I need (planning on 10'), and how many btu's per hour do I need to supply to the unit so I can get the regulator and hose awhile.

 

Kit that I looked at had the regulators included. Also showed 3/4" dia. hose for your setup.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]34029[/ATTACH] I'd hope I don't need a hose that thick, that'll probably cost a fortune. Anyway, here's the kit I bought. It takes in 11'' W.C. (what's standard for most LP appliances)
Briggs Generac GN410 Propane Generator Tri Fuel Conversion Kit Gas Generators | eBay

 

You need to know the HP of the motor. I have not had time to look up what you have , but I think its 10k btu per HP...

For reference 1/2 inch @ 10 ft with a .622 ID will supply 175k btu...

 

Oh that below is for NG, What do you plan to run it on?

 

Hmm says its 14hp.... thats 140k but... Wow what are you using that to power? 13,000 watts..

Your going to eat a lot of fuel.

I ran all of sandy 9 days on my modified 4050 watt gen. 12 gallons of fuel used...

( Modified meaning I rewired it for 120volt only as I have no 240 loads. I get full amps now at 120volts... No more trying to balance the loads/windings)

 

Think I looked up the wrong one... Its 7550 watts? Is this the panel? I think its 13k watts surge?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]34030[/ATTACH]

 

It is a 15 HP OHVI engine with pressure lube and electric start. 7.55KW running, 13.5KW surge. I plan on using propane and gasoline.

Yup, Mike. That's what it looked like when I got it.

 

You running flex hose or copper? How big a propane tank you have? What are you planing on powering with this gen?

For your camp outings?

 

That a pretty optimistic surge rating for a 7.5K generator.
Don't forget on propane you won't get your full rating.

 

I plan on using a 10' flexible rubber hose. Right now I have a 40# but I'd like to get some 100# universal fill tanks. I plan on using this for power tools, lights, PA system, crock pots, 6kw deep fryer, etc. (Not all at the same time of course)

I use this on jobsites, cookouts, outings, and the like. It's something I got for both work and play.

 

I bought this based on my 4000EXL. I've run that thing well past the rated load quite a few times. Considering how I never got this one to even bog down yet, I'd say the power loss won't hurt me much.

 

If a gen has a 7550k rating and a 13k surge, then that is a good head unit.... The problem is a 15hp motor is a gas gussler...

 

Oh yes, it loves its gas. That's one of the reasons I want to do the LPG conversion.

 

If it loves gas.......... it's gonna REALLY like propane.

 

That's alright, this time of year it's 1/3 the price of gasoline.

 

Are you doing any 240v loads? If not you better off moding you 4k gen for 120v only. Youll get full 30 amps... Use less gas...etc...

Going about it wrong IMO... I know you spent money on the conversion and all..

 

If you have 4 wires from the head you can do it easy.


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Here is my gen stock

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Here is my mod..

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Mike, I usually don't have any always 240V loads other than the fryer and some 1500W quartz lights. Everything else has either a switch, or is auto-sensing. (I run my speakers and amplifiers on 240V when I can) However, one awesome feature of the 4000 EXL is it has both a 15A 120/240V receptacle on a 15A 2-pole breaker, and a 30A 120V receptacle on a 30A breaker, which can be used simultaneously. Add in the idle control feature, and you have a unit that's great on fuel. I'd like to tri-fuel that one later down the road, or get an inverter unit. But for now I'm going to get the 7550 taken care of, that's what gets the most use this time of year.

 

I would recommend nothing less than a 160,000 BTU/hr. regulator. As long as the low pressure hose is no more than 10 feet long and does NOT have quick connects the 3/8 inch ID should be okay. If you want to go longer than 10 feet then you will need to upsize to at least 1/2 inch.

This company has all the parts you need. Low Pressure Propane Regulators, Twin Stage Regulators, Dual Stage Regulators

Whether or not you will experience a lower maximum output on the generator will depend upon several factors. My Yamaha EF3000ise has full output (3,000 watts) on natural gas although it is not a tri-fuel arrangement but gaseous fuels only.

 

Well, the kit came in the mail, and I got a 160K dual-stage regulator from Tractor Supply. Now to get thing installed and find a hose.

 

Well I got the regulator installed on the generator, then it decided it wanted to thunderstorm. Tomorrow is the 4th, Saturday I have a party to DJ, then Sunday I'm white water rafting, so who knows when I'll get back to it.

 

There's always Monday Happy 4th buddy

 

Yes there is! Happy 4th!

 

Well I got the conversion done today, except I didn't get a hose yet so I'm still using gasoline until I get a hose. Here's some pictures:


The only issue here is the choke lever is too short. Any ideas on extending it?


My new starting system. The blue light is on when the key is on. The bulb is removable. I also added the 12V socket so I can use a phone charger without starting the generator. If the battery goes dead it can still be pull started if I pull the right connector on the engine block.


This reading was with a little under an 80% load.

 

Nice job..... looks good. Like the cigar lighter port too.

 

Thanks, PJ! I figured that port may come in handy, rather than starting the generator for a real light load.

 

Quick question, would there be anything wrong with mounting the dual stage regulator on the generator, and feeding high pressure propane right to the dual stage regulator? That way I can use a much smaller hose.

 

Nothing wrong but you need a high pressure hose listed for propane or LP gas.

 

Thanks, Furd! I'll post back how it goes.

 

I'll definitely want to see some load figures on the completed set up. Those auxiliary venturis are often the cause of lesser output on gaseous fuels since they limit the amount of air through the carburetor.

 

I got everything running on propane. The only down side is I couldn't find a short flexible hose rated for 160K btu's, so I have the 2-stage regulator hanging off the zero pressure regulator until I figure something else out.


This is the generator running at 110% load. I'd say it's doing pretty well. The only issue was the generator head was too hot to hold my hand on, which I'd say is a bad thing. Since I have no intentions to run that much load other than for testing I'd say everything seems good.

 

May want to turn the governor up so unloaded your at 62 hz. This way loaded it should not bring you below 58hz...

But then again your not running sensitive things right?

As a plumber your going to wipe those joints right??

 

This picture was taken at overload. Even at 80% load it remains at 60.2Hz.

Everything I have that's electronic has a switching power supply, the only thing I would be even slightly concerned about is my Sabine GraphiQ.

I will, just for you. What works best to wipe the joints?

 

A rag...LOL.. Is that all teflon paste or some type of pipe dope?

 

Whats wrong with the regulator being there?

 

Pipe dope.

I can see something getting caught on it. The zero pressure regulator is staying there, I have it bolted down good. The two-stage regulator needs to go somewhere else, though.

 

Run a short hose and mount it down on the frame somewhere. I would rather have it on the gen somewhere. Like down by the wheel kit on the cross member...

 

That's where I was thinking, too. I'll probably put it near somewhere that has warm air blowing in it, because the regulator had ice on it by the time I was done my testing. What hose would you recommend? I was looking at water heater flex hoses, but they seem to have a maximum BTU rating.