I have a 2.4kVA generator that I use for lighting my garage. It works quite well as-is, but I'm awfully tired of pouring petrol in it which I have payed road duty on! There's no chance of mains electricity for the next 9 months or so :(
I thought about an LPG conversion, but there's no kit for this generator (a cheap Chinese thing, that looks to be based on a Honda engine)
So I need to make something myself. Preferably something that won't explode!
I have a propane cylinder + standard 37mbar regulator, so "all" I need is some hose, a demand regulator, a simple vaporiser and a little bit of fabrication know-how.
The only problem is that I'm stuck for where to get the demand regulator! Ideally I want something mechanical that simply alters delivered gas pressure dependant on the generator inlet manifold pressure. (I don't want electronics involved if at all possible.) I found a US website that reccomended a "Garretson" regulator, but no-one's heard of them over here.
Can anyone help?
Thinking about it a bit more logically, a +12v solenoid operated valve would be OK, as long as I didn't need to mess about with it too much.
I have no idea where to get such a thing in the UK, but I have something that would work well for you.
(http://www.6speed.org/rx7/propane/tank_finished.jpg)
The regulator is adjustable. Then it's a solenoid, then after that there's a simple needle valve from a hardware store. That's what you use to adjust the flow.
It's crude, but would work great for a generator.
That's just the thing. Crude is all that's required here.
The vapouriser has its own regulator built in with a diaphram that controls the flow. you will need a form of gate valve to sort the mixture in a way. I'm sure a local autogas installer will sell you one at a good price. the only thing with a vapouriser is, where will you get the heat source from to let it do the vapourising?