Thank you so much for this, I had been waiting for months for someone to figure if this would work or not. Can’t wait to see some load tests while on NG.
I did load testing. Natural gas (NG) has less energy-density than propane, and so the Firman's narrow 1/4" propane quick-connector restricts the NG flow too much, thereby restricting the maximum running-wattage to about 1800W, which is about 74% of the 2430W NG potential. Before I saw this video, I also tried feeding NG through the propane quick-connect. It's easy and convenient, but it restricted the power to about 1800W. So I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. I created a video on how to tee-in a 3/8" fuel line. Perhaps you'll find it useful. th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
Natural gas (NG) has less energy-density than propane, and so the Firman's narrow 1/4" propane quick-connector restricts the NG flow too much, thereby restricting the maximum running-wattage to about 1800W, which is about 74% of the 2430W NG potential. Before I saw your video, I also tried feeding NG through the propane quick-connect. It's easy and convenient, but it restricted the power to about 1800W. So I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. I created a video (before I saw yours) on how to tee-in a 3/8" fuel line. Perhaps you'll find it useful. th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
I did load testing. Natural gas (NG) has less energy-density than propane, and so the Firman's narrow 1/4" propane quick-connector restricts the NG flow too much, thereby restricting the maximum running wattage to about 1800W, which is about 74% of the 2430W NG potential. Before I saw this video, I also tried feeding NG through the propane quick-connect. It's easy and convenient, but it restricted the power to about 1800W. So I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. I created a video on how to tee-in a 3/8" fuel line. Perhaps you'll find it useful. th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
How will the Firman generator still run if you do not plug in the 12 volt signal for the factory flow regulator for the propane hook up ? Its next to quick disconnect for the propane inlet . Mine will not run on propane without the factory electric propane flow regulator . You still need the need a flow regulator for safety . ???????
@staggchannel1517: The 12V power from the Firman generator opens a normally-closed solenoid valve on the Firman's propane regulator. If you use a regulator that doesn't contain a normally-closed solenoid valve, like a standard gas-grill regulator or a low-pressure natural gas regulator (both of which I confirmed) then gas flows without needing a 12V power supply. That solenoid valve is there to prevent propane from flowing when the engine is not running. Without such a solenoid valve, propane will flow when the engine is off and it will leak from the carburetor. That issue is covered in my video linked below. th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
Do the math on cu ft usage for the generator and cu ft supply for line size. Check the tag on your gas meter. Most are 250 cu ft per hr. Make sure your meter can handle with other items such as furnace and water heater
I did load testing. Natural gas (NG) has less energy-density than propane, and so the Firman's narrow 1/4" propane quick-connector restricts the NG flow too much, thereby restricting the maximum running-wattage to about 1800W, which is about 74% of the 2430W NG potential. Before I saw this video, I also tried feeding NG through the propane quick-connect. It's easy and convenient, but it restricted the power to about 1800W. So I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. I created a video on how to tee-in a 3/8" fuel line. Perhaps you'll find it useful. th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
Can you do this with any brand of generators? I have a Dual Fuel westinghouse 9500 that runs on gasoline and propane. Can I use the same type of regulator and plug it straight into the propane inlet?
You should be able to do this sort of conversion with any dual-fuel generator. Keep in mind, however, that natural gas has less energy density than propane, so feeding natural gas through a narrow (1/4") propane-quick connect will likely limit the maximum wattage of the generator to about 1800W on natural gas. On my Firman WHO3242 generator, I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. Following is a video that I created on how to do that. th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
@@stevegannonhandmade Yes. Unlike stove or gas-grill valves (that you use to turn on and regulate gas flow) carburetors are not valves, and so they will leak natural gas if force-fed from a natural gas supply line (which typically has about 0.25 PSI). The low-pressure regulator only allows gas to flow if the engine is spinning and sucking gas from the carburetor. Also, it's necessary to add a hose-block-power-valve to the output of the low-pressure regulator to further restrict the gas flow so that the engine runs smoothly. It's covered in my video linked below. th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
@@DaveRaveVideo thank you! I’ll get one of those regulators. I’ve seen one or two people install a T with valves on either side to allow NG or LP to be used as desired, and I’ll probably do that just in case (as the cost is relatively low), unless you have a reason not to.
@@stevegannonhandmade I'm not sure what you mean, but if you watch my video, you'll see that I teed a natural gas line into the propane line that runs to the carburetor. That gives me the option to run propane or natural gas (or gasoline).
Thank you so much for this, I had been waiting for months for someone to figure if this would work or not. Can’t wait to see some load tests while on NG.
I did load testing. Natural gas (NG) has less energy-density than propane, and so the Firman's narrow 1/4" propane quick-connector restricts the NG flow too much, thereby restricting the maximum running-wattage to about 1800W, which is about 74% of the 2430W NG potential. Before I saw this video, I also tried feeding NG through the propane quick-connect. It's easy and convenient, but it restricted the power to about 1800W. So I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. I created a video on how to tee-in a 3/8" fuel line. Perhaps you'll find it useful.
th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
@@DaveRaveVideo Thank you very much for doing all this.
Natural gas (NG) has less energy-density than propane, and so the Firman's narrow 1/4" propane quick-connector restricts the NG flow too much, thereby restricting the maximum running-wattage to about 1800W, which is about 74% of the 2430W NG potential. Before I saw your video, I also tried feeding NG through the propane quick-connect. It's easy and convenient, but it restricted the power to about 1800W. So I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. I created a video (before I saw yours) on how to tee-in a 3/8" fuel line. Perhaps you'll find it useful.
th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
Well done; thank you!
Great. Have you dinner the load testing yet.
I did load testing. Natural gas (NG) has less energy-density than propane, and so the Firman's narrow 1/4" propane quick-connector restricts the NG flow too much, thereby restricting the maximum running wattage to about 1800W, which is about 74% of the 2430W NG potential. Before I saw this video, I also tried feeding NG through the propane quick-connect. It's easy and convenient, but it restricted the power to about 1800W. So I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. I created a video on how to tee-in a 3/8" fuel line. Perhaps you'll find it useful.
th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
How will the Firman generator still run if you do not plug in the 12 volt signal for the factory flow regulator for the propane hook up ? Its next to quick disconnect for the propane inlet . Mine will not run on propane without the factory electric propane flow regulator . You still need the need a flow regulator for safety . ???????
@staggchannel1517: The 12V power from the Firman generator opens a normally-closed solenoid valve on the Firman's propane regulator. If you use a regulator that doesn't contain a normally-closed solenoid valve, like a standard gas-grill regulator or a low-pressure natural gas regulator (both of which I confirmed) then gas flows without needing a 12V power supply. That solenoid valve is there to prevent propane from flowing when the engine is not running. Without such a solenoid valve, propane will flow when the engine is off and it will leak from the carburetor. That issue is covered in my video linked below.
th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
@@DaveRaveVideo Thanks
Will this method work on a larger generator as well. example: 7500 watt running generator? Thanks
Do the math on cu ft usage for the generator and cu ft supply for line size. Check the tag on your gas meter. Most are 250 cu ft per hr. Make sure your meter can handle with other items such as furnace and water heater
Any load tests yet
I did load testing. Natural gas (NG) has less energy-density than propane, and so the Firman's narrow 1/4" propane quick-connector restricts the NG flow too much, thereby restricting the maximum running-wattage to about 1800W, which is about 74% of the 2430W NG potential. Before I saw this video, I also tried feeding NG through the propane quick-connect. It's easy and convenient, but it restricted the power to about 1800W. So I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. I created a video on how to tee-in a 3/8" fuel line. Perhaps you'll find it useful.
th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
Can you do this with any brand of generators? I have a Dual Fuel westinghouse 9500 that runs on gasoline and propane. Can I use the same type of regulator and plug it straight into the propane inlet?
You should be able to do this sort of conversion with any dual-fuel generator. Keep in mind, however, that natural gas has less energy density than propane, so feeding natural gas through a narrow (1/4") propane-quick connect will likely limit the maximum wattage of the generator to about 1800W on natural gas. On my Firman WHO3242 generator, I internally (and reversibly) teed-in a 3/8" fuel line, and I can now run the generator on natural gas at about 2430W. Following is a video that I created on how to do that.
th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
@@DaveRaveVideoDo I NEED that extra regulator? And if so, why? I have a Champion dual fuel that I’d like to run on NG
@@stevegannonhandmade Yes. Unlike stove or gas-grill valves (that you use to turn on and regulate gas flow) carburetors are not valves, and so they will leak natural gas if force-fed from a natural gas supply line (which typically has about 0.25 PSI). The low-pressure regulator only allows gas to flow if the engine is spinning and sucking gas from the carburetor. Also, it's necessary to add a hose-block-power-valve to the output of the low-pressure regulator to further restrict the gas flow so that the engine runs smoothly. It's covered in my video linked below.
th-cam.com/video/nFavKuVAPTg/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugw9iWpg9lyh7wnCLfN4AaABAg
@@DaveRaveVideo thank you! I’ll get one of those regulators. I’ve seen one or two people install a T with valves on either side to allow NG or LP to be used as desired, and I’ll probably do that just in case (as the cost is relatively low), unless you have a reason not to.
@@stevegannonhandmade I'm not sure what you mean, but if you watch my video, you'll see that I teed a natural gas line into the propane line that runs to the carburetor. That gives me the option to run propane or natural gas (or gasoline).