Motor Snorkel Full Installation (Champion 100520 + Propane)
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- Full video detailing every step for converting a generator from a gasoline-only generator to a tri-fuel (Gas/Natural Gas/Propane) generator. This walkthrough is specifically for the Champion 100520 generator, but the general steps will work for almost any other generator. If interested in watching the uncut version, you can watch that here - • Motor Snorkel Full Ins... . See all the mistakes I made or dive a bit deeper into specific parts that you are interested in seeing in more detail.
It's a long video, please feel free to jump around the chapters to the parts you want to watch:
0:00 Introduction
0:30 Parts Required
2:22 Explanation of Parts & Connections
9:05 New Generator Warning
9:39 Installing the Techometer
10:49 Measuring Baseline RPMs
12:40 Propane Hose Assembly
16:43 Motor Snorkel Regulator Assembly
20:16 Prepping Generator for Mounting Regulator
23:34 Installing the Motor Snorkel
30:35 Tuning Regulator & First Run on Propane
35:08 Verifying Gas Still Works
35:35 Recap & Conclusion
Parts (in order from Motor Snorkel to Propane Tank)
===================
Motor Snorkel Kit - motorsnorkel.com/product/moto...
amzn.to/3FcQc0o
3/4" - 3/4" Male Pipe Adapter - amzn.to/3u9ASvp
Quick Disconnect:
Sturgi-Safe ANSI Z21.41 3/4" Quick Disconnect Plug Male - amzn.to/3FcLz6w
Sturgi-Safe ANSI Z21.41 3/4" Quick Disconnect Plug Female - www.caloreequipment.com/produ...
OR
Summit Hydraulics 3/4″ NPT ISO 7241-B Brass Quick Disconnect - amzn.to/3AYnpdv
1/2-Inch Flare by 3/4-Inch Male Pipe Thread Brass Adapter - amzn.to/3Vizq5J
Hose Assembly For LP and Natural Gas, 40 Inch (Look for the "Save with Used - Like New" sold from Amazon Warehouse to save $$$) - amzn.to/3gNu6IA
Precimex 3001 Propane Regulator - www.thebbqdepot.com/single-st...
Propane Tank - You have to get this locally - www.amerigas.com/locations/
Tachometer - amzn.to/3gFRg3G
References
===================
Quick Disconnect Research:
ISO-7241 - www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:i...
ANSI Z21.41 / CSA 6.9 - www.csagroup.org/store/produc...
#BackupPower #Generator #disasterpreparedness #emergencypreparedness #diy
@Champion Power Equipment @USCarburetion - Jak na to + styl
The Natural Gas videos are now up!
Natural Gas Quick Disconnect Install: czcams.com/video/EJmhaBJJbx8/video.html
Running the Champion 100520 on NG through a motor snorkel: czcams.com/video/Fgqlg9NThBM/video.html
Very cool. Thanks so much for showing all this.
Nice job. I am waiting on the same gennie and will be doing the same setup. I know what you mean about the quick connects. Felt like rocket science when I did some research. 🤨Looking forward to your natural gas hookup/test.
Thanks! Hope it goes well for you setting everything up!
Great job! I do have a couple of recommendations as I have used the Motor snorkel for about 7 years on natural gas and recently purchased the same generator in your video to run my 3 Ton air-conditioning.
All of the quick disconnects, propane regulator, hoses, and most adapters are on the Motorsnorkel website. No research is needed.
Use a right angle adapter at the hose input on the generator and rotate it 45 degrees towards the ground. This is safer and minimizes the force on snorkel regulator.
Before running the generator for the first time, make sure the orange shipping plates are removed from underneath. They are only visible when sitting the generator on its side to install the footplate. I wonder how many people who complain about the generator being very loud forgot to remove these!
The starting load for an AC unit really needs a soft start control installed to minimize the generator load. They are pricey, but the savings is being able to use the generator reliably without switching to a larger generator with higher fuel consumption. Micro Air soft start boxes are for this purpose.
The critical part in running the generator reliably on natural gas is adjusting the load block for max rpm after applying a load and then readjusting it again after applying the highest load the generator will be operating. The quality and moisture content of natural gas varies quite a bit over time, so adjusting the load block periodically (hours to once per day) may be necessary.
Hi Mark G, thanks for commenting! The reason I went and did all the research was because buying everything off of the motor snorkel website was going to be cost prohibitive for me. If I bought all the connectors I needed and the hose, I would be looking at $700-800. I did the research and ended up getting gas approved quick disconnects and 80 feet of 3/4 inch hoses for a significantly cheaper price from an overstock parts reseller.
I like the idea of a 90 degree adapter for the regulator. Another comment was suggesting gettting a short hose for it, but again, it has been cost prohibitive. I just can't get myself to buy a 2 ft hose for $40! An elbow adapter is a bit cheaper and will work just as well to reduce strain and make it a bit safer from such a large piece sticking out. Thanks!
I do have a soft start - you can check out my other videos on it - czcams.com/video/2_VcUyg5V7w/video.html.
Thanks for the tips on running the generator on natural gas!
Adjusting the load block for max RPMS is a misnomer. I'm a dealer for US Carb. It is to adjust air/fuel mixture, and max RPM should NOT be used as a way to set this. Instead max RPM should be set on gasoline first.
The correct procedure is to adjust the load block as lean as possible no load. As load is applied it will need to be richened up slightly until full load is reached. This may be less continuous wattage than what the name plate says due to various factors. The engine on propane when it "leans out" the RPMS can not only drop significantly since its starving for fuel, but the RPMS can actually SPIKE high (overspeed) because the governor is trying to compensate.
Once the mixture is set to a point where the engine does not lean out at full load, thats where it stays. Agreed on NG minor adjustments may be necessary.
Very fortuitous find of your post :). My 100520 just came in two days ago and I haven't even started it yet with yucky weather, lol. I ordered the same kit and have sort of started sorting what I will need to also get NG to it at some point while at the same time building an insulated enclosure, in my case I need to replace black pipe that was originally run for a hot tub heater outside, so once I get it mounted through the wall and in a convenient location along with the switch and enough hose to go 25 feet across my patio to an enclosure I will hopefully have your experience to guide me :). I am in central Oklahoma so very tired of ice storms knocking out our power, so at some point may try to figure out how to adapt a remote start switch for the gen, too. Carry on and thanks for blazing my trail!
HAHA after watching I have two comments...1) may be audio distortion but I thought it sounded smoother running on the propane than the first starting on gasoline, and 2) for a moment I thought your daughter was going to forevermore give you the nickname Thumbless John :), thanks again, eager to get my kit installed when it shows up!
Good luck! Hope it works out for you. May I warn that with natural gas, you'll have to worry about the volume of gas you'll be able to get to the generator. I hope the diameter of the existing pipes are big enough. You'll probably need 3/4 inch run the whole way through. Motor snorkel has a good sizing diagram that will be helpful for you. Hope the install goes well for you and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or issues!
@@mrrickcrushing the generator does actually run smoother and a little more quiet on propane. I had another dual fuel generator and it did the same. From what I've heard, propane and natural gas is "cleaner" than gasoline. That said, I also read that propane and natural gas provides less watts than when running on gasoline. I was successfully able to run my 4 ton AC unit with gasoline, but I don't know if it will run on propane or gasoline. I plan to do a video on that someday in the future. Thanks for commenting! (No thumbs were harmed thankfully in the making of this video. ;) )
@@jonathanDIYs I have heard the same thing but also that if tuned properly (maximum flow) the reduction can be minimized. Propane supposedly has very very little exhaust emissions but trying to use it as an "unlimited" supply like NG is not worth the effort for me even though I have a large back property that could hold a large tank. I saw another fellow testing his a/c and he made sure to take it off eco before powering up the a/c, it seemed to help. I know you have the smart start device on yours, is that correct?
@@jonathanDIYs The NG pipe that came out to the hot tub heater was 3/4" from inside (our hot water heater is gas as well as the furnace) and if I recall that heater was pretty robust so believe it would have been plumbed for the most flow being about 35 feet from the house and that isn't counting the almost 25 feet back up to the attic and over to the Y from the other two areas. We shall see!
Thanks for the video!! Very helpful and informative. You definitely are though. For the motor snorkel, the link you have on the description is correct? I couldn't find an exact model on their website, so curious how you found.
Yes - the link is the same one i used. You put in your generator info and they will make sure it fits your model.
Thanks for creating the video, I am trying to decide between the Champion 100520 vs the WEN DF875iX that is already setup for propane. I do like the three year warranty for the Champion vs the two year WEN warranty and there seems to be several videos on the Champion Equipment Products site on how to do things (such as how to install parts) with their products. Based upon your excellent video I think I will select the 100520. My only concern is: Will I void the Champion Warranty if I drill through the frame? Does any one have any suggestions on how to mount the unit without making holes in the frame?
Hey, thanks for commenting. Glad I can help you make a decision. For your concerns about drilling into the frame and voiding warranty, it should be noted that you probably will not be sending this thing back ever.. it would be cost productive and there are restrictions about sending something in after it has oil and gas in there. I would imagine warranty would mainly cover worn bushings or gaskets leaking (which I had to deal with and they sent me replacement parts free of charge). If you still a hole into your gas tank, they definitely won't cover that, neither if you do something like clog the carburetor or damage the engine by running it without oil or something like that. So my basic take on it is that as long as you don't do anything dumb, you should be fine. That said, if you absolutely do not want to drill holes, you might be able to get away with zip tying it, but I think it would be ok to just drill. Hope it works well for you! Thanks again for commenting!
@@jonathanDIYs Thank you very much for such a quick and an excellent response, you have been most helpful, I have been over thinking the purchase, it is not like I am spending a huge sum of money on a generator. Thanks Again!!
did you have any issues using the NG quick connect hose with the orifice ?did the generator run ok?
I was told i had to have a 'straight through open flow quick connect'
hi John, no issues running the generator on NG with the quick connect adapters I used. I just posted a new video using NG with my generator - check it out if you like. Thanks for commenting!
czcams.com/video/Fgqlg9NThBM/video.html
Thank you for the video. Very helpful.
Wondering if you've experienced any vacuum leak when running on gas after installing the snorkel?
A plumber recommended to me to have a ball-valve shut off on the snorkel regulator side _before_ the quick-connect. This to prevent a vacuum leak from the tri-fuel regulator when running on gas.
I see that you went from the snorkel straight to the quick-connect.
Thx for any info.
Hi Frank, thanks for commenting and asking this question!
When I'm using it on gasoline, I have generally not experienced any issues with it once it is running. I leave the yellow cap on it and it seems to run as smoothly as before I installed the motor snorkel.
I have however noticed more difficulties once or twice starting the engine cold on gasoline. It never prevented me from starting the engine, but I did have to spend a few extra minutes fiddling around with pulling the choke harder and running the starter a few times. It is hard to tell if the issues I'm experiencing is because of a vacuum leak through the snorkel or the fact that the motor snorkel blocks the choke from engaging fully.
I don't think it is a major issue since the snorkel would be letting in air pretty much the same place that the air box would be letting in air. As long as the snorkel is not bypassing the fuel jet, it should be fine.
All this said, putting a valve before the quick connect isn't a bad idea at all. If startup on gasoline ever becomes a major issue, that would be probably one of the first things I try. Thanks for sharing!
@@jonathanDIYs thx for this reply. When you mentioned the difficulty starting, my first thought was the snorkel not allowing the choke to fully close. But I'm not an engine guy, so I don't really know. I may reach out to US Carb. Thank you again for all this info.
@@mllrrd2285 look at 26:10 in this video. I demonstrate how the choke ends up being significantly more open than without the Motor Snorkel. I think this is expected from Motor Snorkel. It's good enough to get the engine started 99% of the time.
Great detailed video. Are you aware if your generator has a fuel pump or whether it's gravity fed? Mine has a fuel pump and I am wondering whether it will burn out when using alternative fuels with an empty gas tank.
Thanks! It is gravity fed. The fuel just trickles down into the carburetor. Most small engines do not have a fuel pump.
@@jonathanDIYs mine just happens to have a fuel pump 🤔
@@Ameds613 really? What's your make and model - would like to look it up and learn more. There should be some wire or something that you can disconnect when on alternative fuels to prevent the pump from running dry and burning out the fuel pump motor.
I might have missed this in the video but what happens if you forget to turn off the gasoline valve and you run both gasoline and NG at the same time?
My guesses are that you'll end up flooding the engine and it won't run OR that it will run extra rich and not smooth at all. I wouldn't try it just in case it could damage the engine, but I'm not 100% sure. Thanks for commenting!
The regulator that is mounted on the generator...I would be concerned that with the weight of that disconnect the mounting points will crack and break off. That aluminum housing is very weak.
I tightened the fittings with the regulator mounted on the generator and probably applied 20-30 pounds of pressure on the 2 bolts and didn't notice any flexing or weakness. I don't think an extra 3-5 pounds, the weight of the disconnects and the floating hose is going to apply enough pressure to break off the mounting points. I'll definitely keep an eye on that and update if I ever see that happen!
The handle is mounted to the same frame. If you can lift half the generator's weight with the handle you are probably OK with a few pounds from the regulator setup.
@@jeffm9227 The issue I raised is not about the generator frame....rather its the aluminum housing of the regulator.
@@spacecoastz4026 I see. Well let's hope it does. I am going to do the same setup this week.
What did it cost you ?
How long does the generator run off one tank?
Depends on the load, around 8-12 hours...
Did you notice any power loss on propane ?
Yes, it doesn't produce as much power, but I did get somewhere between 5.5kw-6.3kw out of it on propane I believe.