| Re: [GMCnet] propane generator and carbon monoxide [message #111049] |
Thu, 06 January 2011 11:44 |
Gary Casey
Messages: 448
Registered: September 2009
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Senior Member |
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This question has probably been answered adequately, but here is my 2 cent's
worth (well, I hope it's worth that much): The advantage of any gaseous fuel is
that it is easier to fully mix with the air. And since it is already a gas
there is no need for cold enrichment. Therefore, if the carburetor - or the
cooktop for that matter - is calibrated leaner than stoichometric there will be
very little CO produced. A gasoline engine will typically not get to those low
levels even if running lean and that is because the fuel contains lots of
long-chain hydrocarbons ans some of the carbon may not fully combust, leaving a
residue of CO. Yes, almost any combustion will have enough CO in the exhaust to
cause a problem, so in a confined space like the coach a CO detector is always a
good thing. Propane carburetors for small engines are readily available, so it
shouldn't be a huge project to convert the generator. Incidentally, the CO
output of a propane engine is sufficiently low that at least in the "old days"
it was legal to run a propane-powered forklift indoors, but not if it was
powered by gasoline. But I could usually smell the exhaust, indicating that
they were running richer than stoic and generating CO.
Gary Casey
I'm not looking for a magic bullet, just a reduced risk.
But all gas engines produce enough CO to kill you if it's not vented, right?
If a properly tuned LP genset reduces that risk then it's a big incentive to
convert it.
--
Dave & Ellen Silva
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