Propane Generator

[machone]

Has anybody used the propane conversion kit for the small and quiet Honda eu2000i Generator?

http://www.propane-generators.com/eu2000i_kits.htm

Is it safe? How much gas does it use? Is CO still a possibility or does it just produce CO2 and water? Can the water be used or does it contain particles from the oil in the genset?

Is it a good idea for backup/emergency charge power?

Experiences please...

 

[DownWest]

The problem is the bottle, heavy & clunky. Burn any hydrocarbon and you get water and co2. Collecting the water is probably a pointless exercise, same as for petrol.
I had a 3kw genset running off gas. Would have prefered it use petrol. Also petrol is denser than gas for the energy and doesn't need a heavy tank (bottle)

 

[saltylegs]

Since you have had no replies consider this a bump.
I have not tried the kit listed but have used a propane powered generator various times sinece the 80's with no probs just consider it a petrol powered one.
re co/co2 the manufacturers will say that with complete combustion all you will get from the exhaust is Co2 and water.
In reality and especially if the unit is enclosed in any way you will get some Co and the water vapour will contain the impurities contained in the gas and the atmosphere, not something I would want to drink.

 

[machone]

Thanks DownWest and Saltylegs.

The boat's not big enough for a permanent generator but this one seems small enough to keep in the bottom of the cockpit locker for battery emergencies. As gas is onboard for the cooker anyway I though it would reduce the need to carry more petrol although I have some for the outboard anyway. Experienced people I've talked to don't seem to like petrol or generators(fire and CO) onboard but this small unit seems unobtrusive and has that self sufficiency factor.

 

[VicS]

Thanks DownWest and Saltylegs.

The boat's not big enough for a permanent generator but this one seems small enough to keep in the bottom of the cockpit locker for battery emergencies. As gas is onboard for the cooker anyway I though it would reduce the need to carry more petrol although I have some for the outboard anyway. Experienced people I've talked to don't seem to like petrol or generators(fire and CO) onboard but this small unit seems unobtrusive and has that self sufficiency factor.

I imagine it will depend upon how you will connect the generator to the boat's propane system which in turn will depend upon the pressure of the gas supply required.

If it's different you will end up with two regulators as well as some sort of connect/disconnect system so that the generator can be stowed when not in use.
Even if the generator uses gas at the same pressure as other appliances you will still need some safe method of connecting/disconnecting the generator.

If the generator could be permanently installed with a fixed gas supply it might be a reasonable idea. Otherwise perhaps not