Part 8 Westinghouse WGEN12000DF 15000 Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator Natural Gas Conversion Parts
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ส.ค. 2022
- The conversion on my generator was pretty straight forward. One of the key things I had to figure out first was the natural gas pressure from my gas meter. Lucky for me, my gas meter from teh gas company was set at 4oz or 7" WC. Which is right in spec with the Garretson regulator was that came with my generator. If you don't know what pressure your natural gas meter is. You can call your local gas company. They would be able to tell you what your meter pressure would be.
These are the parts I used for my particular situation to convert my WGEN12000DF to be able to use natural gas.
Gas meter is 4 oz (7" WC) pressure
1" internal diameter natural gas hose with quick connect purchased from AB3Power, This is the place to go, if you are in Houston.
ab3power.com/
1" to 3/4" reducer included from AB3Power
3/4" internal diameter Jomar FULL PORT ball valve from plumbing supply
3/4" internal diameter open orifice Dixon quick connect set local plumbing supply
3/4" dust caps purchased from Amazon
3/4" internal diameter street elbow from Home Depot
1/2" barb by 3/8" MIP brass adapter fitting from Home Depot
1" internal diameter Jomar natural gas shutoff valve from local plumbing supply store
All these parts were available at my local plumbing store and Home Depot, with exception of the hose. Give Brian a call at AB3Power, great guy, tell him Gil sent you. No, I am not sponsored by AB3Power or anyone for that matter.
Check out the entire video series for this generator conversion:
• 12 Part Series- Westin...
***** WARNING, REMEMBER WHEN WORKING AROUND ELECTRICITY. BE SAFE AND MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF BEFORE STARTING.***** - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
So glad you did a conversion video for this generator. I haven’t seen any videos for this generator. I almost bought a conversion kit, until I saw your video. Saved me a bunch of money. Now that I know all the parts I really need. I thought I would need a new regulator.
BTW, I got my hose from ab3 power as well. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
check this youtube video “Westinghouse generator 12000df running on natural gas “ posted a month ago.
Just picked up my Jomar shutoff valve for my meter. Gives me the added confidence, valve won’t be flipped open so easily like a ball valve lever. Since my gas meter is outside the gate.
Yea, that is why I went with the Jomar valve. Also this shutoff valve allows you to add a padlock if you choose, but since you can't open the valve without an adjustable wrench or channel lock pliers. It takes a lot that worry out of someone accidentally opening it.
@@gilbosdiy one other question, which paint did you use to paint the pipe and valve?
@@pullmarkbird9112 Just go to your local HD or Lowes and get the 1/2 pint Rust-Oleum 7786730 smoke gray protective enamel. You should be able to repaint your whole meter with the 1/2 pint. Make sure you clean off any loose paint, before applying the new coat.
A million thanks to you for supplying all that info. You really helped me out. One question more: do I need the conversion regulator kit or can the NG line be hooked up directly to the generator like you did? Thanks again for your response because as I said before NO ONE knows anything about this converstion around here.😍
No, your generator will require a kit with a new regulator.. PNG Technologies sells kit I believe for your generator.
Thanks millions again for your help!
Your videos are very informative. I have the westinghouse 9500df. Would I still need a regulator for my generator if my gas meter
pressure is higher than 7" WC? Would I still need a 1" hose if my generator is about 30 feet from my meter ir could I do with 3/4"? Thanks you your help. No one around here knows anything about this converstion.
Since, I don't have a 9500DF. I can't answer fully. First, you would need to call you gas company and just ask them what your WC is. They would be able to tell you over the phone. It is very important to know that, for what is to follow.
Since, your house has natural gas, you will have to count up the BTU usage for your all natural gas appliances. That will be listed on the appliance itself. Once you have that BTU total you need to subtract that from the CURRENT meter BTU capacity. You can just look at the tag on your current meter, and google that model gas meter. Guessing your generator will require about 125,000 BTU.
If, you plan on using your generator for summer storms then it will be less of an issue. BTU usage comes into play more during winter storms, (i.e. running heat for the house). Still good to know, if you need to have your gas company upgrade your meter or not. If you currently have a pool, then your gas meter is more than likely already upgraded to a bigger meter. Most gas company upgrade your meter free of charge.
I think the WGEN9500 DF, only comes with only a propane regulator (black regulator on the lower left, where you currently hook up your propane to). So you would need to get conversion kit from a 3rd party (i.e. PNG Technologies, or others). When you order the kit, you MUST know your correct WC and generator model. So that they can give the correct regulator.
That conversion kit will have all the correct parts to run it on natural gas. I wouldn't order the 30' hose from them, ( i.e. PNG Technologies, or others), just too costly. I would try and source it locally.
As far as the natural gas hose, I would still run a 1" ID (INTERNAL DIAMETER) hose from the meter to generator. Once at the generator, you will then step down to 3/4" ID (INTERNAL DIAMETER) with a reducer (which you can see in my part 8, video at about :50-:55) in order to hook up to the conversion kit that you order. You don't have to do a quick connect. I did it for ease of hookup for my family, if I wasn't around to hook up during a power outage.
**NOTE** when you convert to natural gas the wattage output from the generator will be REDUCED by about 20%, (7600 max running watts, 10,000 max starting watts) from the output if your were to run it on gasoline. You will be only running essentials (fridge , lights, TV) NO A/C, microwave.
Hope this helps, thanks again for watching, please the hit LIKE and SUBCRIBE button. If you have anymore question(s), ust ask and I'll try and help. Thanks again for watching.
What is the model number of the Garretson regulator? Is this the regulator model number that Westinghouse puts on all of their WGEN12000DF units? Does the Garretson regulator have a manual primer button?
The Garretson regulator I have is a 193291 792G, which has Inlet of 4 oz and max Inlet of 8 oz.
Yes, this is the one that came with my Westinghouse WGEN12000DF.
This regulator does not have a primer button. You could go online or locally purchase one with the same specs with a primer button. Then you would just have to drill a hole in the mounting plate that this regulator attaches to on the generator. In order to have access to the primer button. If you scroll to 1:41 in the video you can see what I am referring to. Hope this helps, if you have anymore questions just ask. If I can help I will. Thanks for watching
what cap size did you use for the regulator?….i need to buy or order one for mine
What is your kw output on natural gas vs propane. This looks awesome you did a great job.
Thanks, glad I can help.
Factory numbers for propane is max 13500 surge / 10800 running. For natural gas, based only what I have found online it should be max 12000/ 9600.
I’m in Houston and this is what Centerpoint told me in an email:
“Your residential meter has a 4oz pressure. If you were to install a generator or pool heater, for example, a meter upgrade would be needed. With an upgrade, you will go from a 4oz. regulator to a 2 lb. regulator.”
You didn’t get a larger meter upgrade right?…..I should be good as is since I have your same generator?
I can't answer that question, for you, if you will be good or not good. You would have to add up all the MAX BTU usage of ALL your natural gas appliances, in order to know if an upgrade is needed. Many variables come in to play (i.e. size of you natural gas appliances, what you plan to run that uses natural gas). All your natural gas appliances will have some sort of label stating the MAX BTU.
For my situation it was not needed, your situation might differ.
NOTE if you do upgrade, you will probably need to add (4 oz.) regulators, upstream ALL appliances that uses natural gas ( including the generator). If they don't already have one. So that they won't get damaged from the added pressure.
Hope this helps.
We only have a gas water heater and furnace, have you tested yours with your furnace running? (2500 sf home).
Also what orifice size is your 4oz regulator on your generator? 7/16 or 1/2?
@@Johnny_Bee My gas meter (250 CFH), has a 7" WC (i.e. 4 oz) regulator already attached to the gas line, at the meter before it enters the house. Since I had the plumber T-off the gas line for the gas hose for the generator between the gas meter and the house it was after the regulator, but AT THE METER. Which it was the right pressure for the Garretson regulator (silver colored) that came with the generator (not the propane regulator (grey colored)). Thus, I didn't need another regulator for my generator.
For example, if I did have to put in a bigger gas meter (2 PSI). If the new meter was just gas line (2PSI) to meter to gas line into the house. The line between the new meter and before it enters the house, is still 1" ID. In that case, I would have a gotten the plumber to add 1" ID 4 oz step down regulator, where the plumber T-off the gas line. Then obviously, I would have the plumber to add step down regulator to other appliances as well that didn't have one. To ensure no issues from the new meter.
The key to remember, if your gas meter is on the opposite end of your breaker panel. Go with the shortest gas hose possible (i.e. put the generator as close to the gas meter as possible.
Hi- im in Houston as well, I imagine you have a 1/2" gas line for your generator with no upsizing from Centerpoint, right?
I wonder if this custom kit you made, would work for a Westinghouse WGEN9500DF.
I believe it should work with extra parts (Garretson regulator, load block adjuster), but take note on the WGEN 9500 on natural gas. You will see reduction in down to about 7600 watts running.
@@gilbosdiy thank you. I'll look into it.
Did the generator run on natural gas? Did you notice any change in decibel level running on Gasoline or Natural gas? What is the length of the 1” hose used? Can you please post another video with the generator running on natural gas? Thank you.
I'll try and post a video of it running in a couple days just been super busy. The length of hose for my setup was like 25 feet, so I decided to get a 30 foot hose. I went with a 1 inch internal diameter hose to yield maximum volume of natural gas. I was glad my setup didn't require longer hose. Perfect distance and pressure. Generator, fired right up, no issues, idle was fine. Sound wise loud is loud, it's a generator, only running it for emergency use. The shed I converted for it insulated with the mineral wool, cuts down the sound enough to where it doesn't bother me.
@@gilbosdiy I have a similar set up but with a low pressure regulator from century fuel.Check my video “ Westinghouse generator 12000df running on natural gas” posted a month ago. I used a 60 feet hose with 1 inch diameter. Looks like you used the regulator that came with the gen. Glad it worked out for you without buying another regulator and changing the branch Tee.My gen came with a higher pressure regulator so I got a low pressure regulator and also changed the branch Tee to work with the low pressure from my meter. Your set up is simpler. Good job!
Wow, that’s pretty long run. Why such a long run are you not keeping the generator under the patio? My generator came with a 4oz Garretson. What oz was yours?
Mine came with 8oz Garretson regulator. I got a 4oz regulator from Century link because the pressure at my meter is 4oz. Since, the gen's branch Tee was designed for a 8oz regulator, I had to changed the branch Tee with one designed for 4oz regulator to increase the volume of airflow into carburetor. Initially, I wanted the flexibility of moving the gen as far away from the house as possible if I wanted to, so I got the 60 feet hose. That way, I will not have buy hoses twice if I had bought a shorter length.
Did the plumber need a permit to get that quick connection on the meter installed?
For my location, the plumber did not need to. Your area could require it, so you would need to check with your local area.
@@gilbosdiy thx
is there any way to control the amount of gas going into the generator? Like a fine turn adjustment screw.
Yea there are kits out there for it, if one needs them.
For my house, with natural gas. That has a gas meter with 7" WC or 4oz of pressure. I used the 1" INNER DIAMETER, 30 feet hose from the meter to the generator, then stepped down to 3/4" into the KN Garretson regulator. From the KN Garretson regulator to the generator, I did replace with 1/2" barb by 3/8" MIP brass adapter fitting from Home Depot. To ensure I did have enough natural gas flow. Using this setup, my generator idled just fine, no hesitation, I didn't feel I needed one. Your situation and setup is probably different and my require one. Hope this helps.
@@gilbosdiycould you elaborate on the fitting you replaced @1:41 ? Did you also use a larger hose?……I’m in Houston and kinda “late to the game” with all this but working on doing a similar setup as you did.
@@Johnny_Bee yes I replaced it with the following:
www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-2-in-Barb-x-3-8-in-MIP-Brass-Adapter-Fitting-800199/300096744
The only hose I purchased is the main natural gas supply hose. That goes from the gas meter to the generator. That supply hose is a 1" ID hose. I purchased that from ab3power.
The complete list of items I used is listed in the description below the video.
Thanks for watching, make sure to like and subscribe.
If you have any more questions. Just ask and I'll try and help, if I can.
@@Johnny_Bee The hose that goes from the Garrettson regulator into the carburetor, is the stock hose.
Did you hire just a regular plumber, I'm thinking water, or do you need one that specializes in natural gas plumbing?
My plumber does gas work regularly so it wasn't a issue for me. My suggestion would be to get one that does it, better safe than sorry.
@@gilbosdiy Thanks! You have a very nice setup.
Gotta problem...it seems that you have a "quick connector" (female) is installed into the Generator. AND...you connected another quick connector (female) to the natural Gas meter. Yet your hose has a male connector on one end and a female connector on the other end. How can that work?
If I'm wrong please tell me; where I went wrong? Thank you kind Sir.
The T-off from the gas meter is 1" ID. I went with a hose that was 1" ID as well. Eventually you would have to step it down to 3'4" ID. Which I choose to do as close to the generator as possible, to maintain gas pressure.
I guess with size difference of the hose ends, might make it look like one quick connect end is male and the other quick connect end is female.
The hose ends quick connect on both ends are male quick connect, they are just different sizes. Gas meter side (1") and generator side (3/4").
If you check out part 11 of this video series. In that video you can see the hose ends are both male quick connects. Thanks again for watching don't forget to check out the entire 12 part series. If you have anymore questions, just ask, and I will try and help if I can.
Here is the link to part 11 video: th-cam.com/video/6JWsROWO8EI/w-d-xo.html