Part 9- Westinghouse WGEN12000DF 15000 Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator Running on Natural Gas
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ส.ค. 2022
- Since, I haven't seen any video of the Westinghouse WGEN12000DF generator running on natural gas. I figured, I would put one up. If you haven't watched part 8, check it out. In part 8, I went over the parts I used to make my conversion.
Gas meter is 4 oz (7" WC)
Gas hose 1" ID at 30 feet
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Just had a similar scenario. My WGen9500DF (12000 peak) with an added natural gas regulator, while using the natural gas as fuel source, was not able to run my 5 ton a/c compressor (would kick WGen offline). When using gasoline as the fuel source, the WGen was able to run the 5 ton unit, but only after installing the microaire soft start (72 model) which stopped the "hard" start- high amp draw issue that was happening causing the WGen to kick offline when the A/C started. My peak average amp start after the microaire soft start installed is approx 30 amps and running amps are approx 13A. Prior to the microaire softstart install, the starting amperage of the A/C unit was high and would would cause the WGen to trip offline, no matter what the fuel source was. I didn't get an exact "pre microaire install" start amp reading, but I do remember the "hard juttering" sound the A/C unit would sometimes make and it would even sometimes make the lights in house flicker, all this even when using normal "on the grid" electricity. The "hard" start sound and light flicker issues and no more after the microaire soft start install. With that all said, the natural gas mod works great running my WGen and feeding the house electric, minus the 5 ton A/C unit. I just used a window unit and a portable A/C unit to help keep house cool enough. Hot water heater is gas, stove is electric, furnace heat is gas. A/C unit is fully serviced and less than 5 years old.
Great idea with the fan!!! It will increase the generators life in or out of the enclosure.
Thanks for that great series of videos. I am expecting my 12000DF anytime now and your videos help me plan ahead. Thanks!!
No problem, hope it helps make setting up your generator just a tad easier and cheaper.
Also just incase your generator doesn't come with an oil drain hose. Do that mod before even running it. It will save you a lot of mess and headaches, but I think Westinghouse, saw my video calling them out about that and they started including it now.
Thats a well built system you put together. Thanks for the video! Please make more. I subscribed after watching this video.
Thanks, hope it helps you get your system going in the right direction. Yea I decided to create this 12 part series, mainly because there simply wasn't any on this particular generator on TH-cam. Much less one with a natural gas conversion. If you have any questions, just ask and I will try and answer if I can.
Great conversion, so much simpler and compact. Keeps it looking like it was stock.
I pretty much copied your exact conversion. Thanks for the videos.
Glad I could help. I was surprised there hasn't been more videos with the conversion for this generator.
Yea, seeing that the generator already had the Garretson regulator, I was glad I didn't need to replace it with another Garretson regulator that has a primer button. Being able to use the stock location was another bonus. That allowed me not to have parts sticking outside the stock footprint of the generator, even with the quick connect.
@@gilbosdiy yeah that's what I was worried about. Having a part extend beyond the frame just for a better chance of something being broken. That's unless you keep the generator in the shed 365 days a year.
Please pardon being off subject; my concern is that since the generator is electric start only meaning it needs a battery, how would you maintain a spare battery in case you need it. Again I apologize for being off your great conversation which by the way is not an option where I live. Really appreciate your insight on this generator.
@@nonya7455 you would use a trickle charger. Check out video number 2, where I go over the NOCO Genius battery charger
Thanks, I am currently using a small solar panel (1 year now)and it has been ok. Just thought a backup second battery would be a good idea. Thanks again.
Great idea to have the fan hooked up to the generator. You don't need it unless the generator is on, may as well plug it in to the generator.
Well if you plan on using a shed like structure, a fan big enough for air movement to remove the heat from the generator is a MUST, or your generator will fail. Due to the fact, these portable generator are air cooled not liquid cooled generator like the standby units.
I would like to see how you converted the dual fuel unit to a tri-fuel unit.
Craig, I didn't covert to tri-fuel, I just ditched the propane for natural gas so just still dual fuel. Watch part 8, and it shows how simple it was on the WGEN 12000DF. I could have made it a tri-fuel, I guess, by just adding a T, and couple shut off valve, right before the Garretson regulator.
Awesome ideas here. Thanks for the info. Question, did natural gas give you less running watts or kept it the same as LPG?
Thanks, glad that the videos helped you out. Make sure like and subscribe, for more videos.
Running the generator on natural gas will lower the running watts on the generator.
Guess, guess the reduction in running watts, brings the running watts down from 12,500 watts to about 9500-10,000 watts. So anywhere from 20-24% reduction.
I knew going into the conversion that I would see a reduction in wattage. The main reason, I converted this generator was to give me more options for fuel. Natural gas first, then gasoline if need be.
Chasing down gasoline during a massive power outage in a major city, not fun.
Nice set up, I'm looking at this Westinghouse now. I have done many of conversions to natural gas on smaller units 20 plus. Load testing between gasoline to natural gas is about a 20% reduction in watts, LPG is about 10%. Question on this conversion, on this v-twin you don't have to install a load block on top of the Garrison to adjust the air/fuel?
For my house, the supply line from the gas company was 1" INNER DIAMETER has a gas meter with 7" WC or 4oz of pressure. So, I ordered a 1" INNER DIAMETER, 30 feet hose (ab3power) ran from the meter to the generator (actual distance between meter and generator about 28 feet), then stepped down to 3/4" into the KN Garretson regulator.
I'm sure as you know with all your conversions you know how important it is to maintain enough pressure and volume of natural gas. From the KN Garretson regulator outlet to the generator, I did replace with 1/2" barb by 3/8" MIP brass adapter fitting. With my setup of gas supply, distance and hose size I didn't need it. The meter on the generator showed 60HZ, 240V. Now, your situation might be different (i.e. supply, distance,etc... )
Oh, I also went with quick connects and ball valve that were FULL PORT. So that I would not have any reduction in size from the meter to the generator.
The fan idea is great. What kind of attic fan is it and where did you get it?
Check out Part 7 of the video series, that episode goes over mod for the shed and parts used.
I changed fan from 12" 1800CFM to 20" 3368 CFM.
The fan is a iLiving 20" Shutter exhaust fan from Amazon.
Hope this helps, thanks again for watching.
Hi buddy, is there a max length on the hose one can get? My meter is about 70-80 ft from where I want to put my generator.
Yes, generally, you would want the gas line run to be as close to the meter as possible.
Here is a good chart to use as a guide:
www.uscarburetion.com/natural-gas.htm
Does it handle an AC start up Ok? I will be getting one and having a soft start put on the AC to help with running on a generator for a short time.
All depends how many tons your AC unit is, 3-ton with micro air soft start yes. 5-ton no can do.
Thats great it runs. Now what all can you turn on using natural gas?
When we had our last outage which was about 8-9 hours. I was able to run my entire house 3400 sq ft, with 2 fridge, and 3-ton a/c. Dryer, stove, and water heaters are natural gas. Only things I didn't try to run was my double convection ovens or 5-ton a/c ( I had not hook up the micro-air soft start at that time, I had only connected the 3-ton). Then again even if I had hooked up the micro air to the 5 ton, on NATURAL GAS with the reduced wattage. It would have been too much for the generator. If I was using gasoline, it would have worked. Then again I knew that going into the conversion. My reason for the conversion was to have reliable fuel available at a moments notice during a major outage, without having to chase it down.
Do you know the power output of the generator on natural gas? I know it drops a some from gasoline to propane and it drops again from propane to natural gas
I believe, I read some where that it is 20% reduction compared to gasoline. Not sure how accurate that number is
Which would put the WGEN 12000DF nat gas numbers around:
Surge 12000 watt
Running 9600 watt
Going gas but when hooked up to natural gas w kit it wont run. I’d there a valve near carb or switch ?
Did you turn the knob on the panel to propane?
Do you know how many estimated peak and running watts is it now on natural gas conversion
Well, here is the thing NOW, per Westinghouse should be around 11,600 watts running and 14,400 peak watts (via their same, but new WGEN14500 TFS).
This generator can produce more than they originally thought, BUT............ it is also a MARKETING.
Yes the generator, might be able to handle 14,400 and 11,600 watts. Thing is, in order to achieve those numbers. One would have to use the additional outlets, to reach those level. Which they don't tell you that. just looks sexier with the high numbers on the box.
If you plan on using an interlock to your breaker panel to your house, you can SILL ONLY have 50 amp for that, utilizing approximately 9600 watts.
Don't get me wrong, I am glad this generator can handle more than originally stated, it allows me shed load off the 50 amp (i.e. fridge(s) in garage, etc...)
Hope this helps, if you have anymore questions. Just ask, and I'll try and help.
Don't forget to hit the like and subscribe button, so that we can grow this channel.
Have you compared running costs between natural gas and gasoline?
Yes, not even close. Based on natural gas ($16.00 per 1000 cubic ft) and gasoline ($3.02 a gallon) cost in my area . I believe it comes out to roughly for day $34 on natural gas vs $69 on gasoline.
Great job! Will suggest you add a tachymeter to be certain the gen is running at 3600 rpm or close to it while on natural gas.
The tachometer came in the evening after I posted the video. Just not enough hours in the day.
So you just ran natural gas to a propane receptacle? are they the same?
Check out part 8 of the 12 part series. That video shows how I converted the generator to run on natural gas. As well as which parts I used and didn't use. Thanks for watching. If you have anymore question(s) just drop a line, and I'll try and help if I can.
More info on the exhaust setup please.
Sorry, been super busy. If I get a chance next week I'll try post a video of the exhaust setup that I will be using and the parts.
The short of it, basically parts I picked up from the auto parts store.
Exhaust reducer
2 hose clamps
Flexible exhaust
Exhaust heat wrap (Amazon).
@@gilbosdiy Tks, did you have to do any mods to the exhaust reducer for it to fit correctly?
How did you convert it to natural gas
You can watch all my other videos on how I converted my generator
Here is the link:
th-cam.com/play/PLO-Dg9zks7ZTeT6XwslVtwZgWNvOtW43Y.html