Quote:
Originally Posted by mangler
This is for Vlad, as he seems to be "in the know" when it comes to propane conversions.
I just bought a Craftsman G5500 garden tractor, with a 24 HP platinum v-twin briggs and stratton engine. I really want to convert it to propane, but I have a few questions:
Can I use a 30 lb tank on its side? will that create sloshing? Is it best to have the opening upwards?
Do you fin there is a different in efficiency between tri fuel conversions and dedicated propane? Mostly wondering if it is worth it to get an injection nozzle in the center of the venturi stream, or if side hole in an adapter over the carb is just as good.
what brand/model of combination pressure regulator/governor would you recommend for best value/performance?
Any other tips, cautions?
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Sorry for delay... life....
Here are some pictures of my loader conversion. I will add links to amazon drive they are full resolution pics.
All components and critical points are numbered the same name. I will mention this numbers and you can just look at pictures to clarify.
Please don't break this post. I will let you know when I am done. Thanks.....
#1 is a tank. I tried BBQ tank and it worked. I use forklift one because I buy propane by liters as auto propane and not by weight. This way I only pay for what I buy. The other reason this tank is big and aluminum and heats up quicker then steel BBQ one. You withdraw a lot of vapor propane and tank freezes up. Original forklift tank feeds liquid propane I had to switch fill and feed connectors.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...Rsghxn5plTqeiM
#2 Here is a electric 12v fuel lock solenoid
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...QIcvBeduC8eH_4
Here is closer look. I used beam t50 regulator which can only handle vapor propane. My propane tank is in vertical position but even then if I had 3/4 full propane was slashing inside and some liquid was getting to the regulator. Regulator was freezing up.
Because my tractor is air cooled there was a dilemma for me how to heat up liquid splashed propane to make it vaporize before it gets to the regulator. I built very easy and basic heat exchanger from 2 copper tubes and couple of fittings. The inner tube is 3/4 copper outside is 1" copper. I used hydraulic oil as a heat source. It is perfect not to cold not to hot.
Blue #1 hydraulic oil inlet to heat exchanger inner tube (3/4" copper) and blue #2 is hydraulic oil outlet.
Red #3 propane vapor/liquid mix in (1" copper outer tube). Red #4 propane vapor (only vapor all liquid vaporized) out to regulator (#5).
Now here is your problem. Your engine is air cooled and has no hydraulics. In this case I would coil 3/8 soft copper tubing (refrigeration grade and not cheap paper thin junk !!!) into 6-8 inch coil (10-15 feet lenth) and place in at engine fan air intake. You can make a "snail" coil start 8" and keep coiling up and inside. Don't make it flat. Luquid propane will get there and start "climbing up" and evaporating. Feed this coil from the bottom and get vapor from top. In this case you will have huge air flow which will warm up coil and evaporate propane inside it (unless outside is -40 degree F). I would avoid using engine heat or exhaust heat. They can be too hot.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...T7AoKFXLMVUDkg
#6 exit from regulator goes to MAX restrictor (made of brass T and a bolt with nut)
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...Rgwkyjx339nVcI
#7 carburetor entrance
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...TZolglfcVqSsyI
Carb from top (vertical carb top is air from air filter). Marked GAS is gasoline emulsifier tube. Marked PROP is a brass tube (1/4 inch) vapor propane feed from regulator.
I had to drill carburetor wall to add this tube. I used JB weld. #7 connection is outside tube barb.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...Txsm3Cts49yzGw
This oil was changed last year and has 100+ hours. Engine is not in perfect shape. Cylinder walls are pitted from corrosion (water damaged from previous owner). When I used gasoline, oil was like a tar in 2 hours.....
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...SdIngzrZmDdiE0
This is more or less all. Please comment.....