Would recommend installing the quick connect (QC) fittings as you would with compressed air hoses... female QC at the NG supply pipe, male QC on the NG hose at that end, female QC on the NG hose at the generator end, male QC on the generator. This prevents leaking NG inadvertently if the hose is disconnected anywhere. Thanks for putting these great videos together, gets us all discussing the details.
Nice Video. My main NG gas line is on the front of my house and my Generator is on the other side or back of my house, I think its about 50ft, can I run a long hose line or is there any limits on how long you can run?
no 3/4 will be fine the generator will only allow the amount of gas it needs through its jet as it needs it, always better to have a size bigger than a little too small
I have a gas line running to my garage ceiling (there was a heater in there but the exhaust didn’t pass inspection when we bought the house so they had to remove the heater), there is a back porch off the garage… all I need to do is have someone run the gas line through the back wall of the garage and I can have NG to my grill (that’s where we use it) and my new Firman Tri-fuel (just bought one yesterday)! I’d be stupid not to do this!
The 24 foot 1/2" natural gas hose that I bought came with a 3/8" Female by 1/2" Male brass adapter to connect to the generator. It was too long (deep) on the female end and I had to sand it down so the bevel flange inside the adapter would seal against the LP gas (POL) fitting on the generator. I ended up installing a MB Sturgis Propane Elbow Adapter at the generator's 3/8" POL fitting. It is a 3/8" Female Flare Swivel x 3/8" Male Flare (Item # 204163) that I purchased from etrailer . Then I installed the 3/8" Female x 1/2" Male brass adapter there. This reduced the overall width of the generator and reduced the change of a tripping hazard.
So I’m going to reverse the way I have mine hooked up as well. It turns out I shouldn’t have that female connecter on the generator side so I’m gonna move it to the hose side and that will definitely decrease the with the generator as well. But thanks for sharing your story.
@@TOOLMANTIMSWORKSHOP Did you end up reversing the fittings? I'm trying to figure out how to put quick connections on each side of a hose, but there's a lot to figure out. I'd love to be able to have a single quick connect adapter that is small enough to not get knocked off the Firman. But then how do I put a similar fitting to hook up propane, if needed? Does that make sense? I'd just like to be able to quickly swap out propane and natural gas, with the same connection, without using tools.
I haven’t yet just simply because I never got around to ordering the parts. I looked at it the other day to do it and realized I need to order a whole Nother male and female set in the main reason for that is because I have that quick connect on one in for my barbecue and when I went up having on the hose is two female and just need to change just haven’t got to it yet.
@@TOOLMANTIMSWORKSHOP Any reason why the hose should have a male and a female quick connect, rather than just two males like you have it in the video? I think I've got all my parts to set it up like you have it here.
I was also looking to put an elbow on my firman tri fuel generator so I could still slide the cover over the generator and the fitting. Thanks for sharing the part number! Have you had any issues with using a 1/2” line? As i search online for pipe sizing I keep seeing that for the needs of my generator and running a line that is around 20-30’ I will need a 3/4” line as the 1/2” may starve the generator when running at full capacity. Thoughts?
Hello Tim love your videos because you explain what your doing, and I think that is great Thank you. Have a Question I bought the same Firman Generator as you , but how did you get the quick connect on the Generator. Mine 3/8 is flare and I cannot find any place that will go for 3/8 flare to a 1/2 to the quick connect. the only way I could do it. I had to use four different connections to hook up the quick connect. That’s why I was wondering how you did yours thanks.
Very complete and thorough videos Tim, I appreciate the dedication. I have a question not covered in this video or your "requirements" video. Does your BBQ line feed directly from your incoming gas supply line (High Pressure) or is it fed from the downstream side of a regulator (low pressure?)
Well good I'm not alone but that's much bigger than the job I'm needing to do but a fitting like that on my gnrtr would probably work for what I'm doing. My little gas tube is off the "gas on off" fitting. There was a rusty clamp on it and I had to trim my hose a 1/8". Hose comes from beneath and straight to ( gas off on fitting) Need a tight😲,tight, tight clamp. I use to work in a medical lab and I was thinking of things I could use I'm a tool box like hemostats. That would be per fect! For tonight. 😁
I hooked my Firman Trifuel 9400 to my home’s NPG line this evening using a 1/2 gas line with a male quick connect end and female flare end, but I couldn’t get to start. I had a co-worker that did a similar set up and had issues running off of NPG until he removed the quick connect. Any reason why the quick connect could be an issue, or is it something else. FYI, it fired right up when I switched to gas.
Purchased 2 10500 tri fuel gen and was wanting to know if it was okay to use a splitter from 1 gas line hose to both generator's or do I need dual lines for each generator?
Thanks for the video. I had to go to my local plumbing supply store to get a double male fitting. Their plumbing expert was surprised I planned to use a 1/2" dia. 24 ft hose. He did some calculations and said i should use a 3/4" NG line. Tim, any issue using your 1/2" line? The expert thinks the generator would be starved of NG to the point of not starting or at least not running at full capacity. Curious on others experiences also.
Can I run a 100 ft gas line from my natural gas outlet to my natural gas generator? Or will that length of line reduce the gas pressure to the generator?
The operating pressure is different when running on natural gas - propane generally is set for 11 inches of pressure and natural gas regulators are set for 6 inches of gas pressure - Also on some the office is smaller off the propane regulator - Natural gas is around 80000 BTUs per 1000 cubic ft - or has 10% less BTUs per equal volume of fuel - 1 gallon of liquid natural gas LNG is 80000 BTUs and 1 gallon of propane is 90000 BTUs - A propane generator might run of propane but it will starve for fuel - that means you will have a sharp reduction on power or kw out put - You would have to install a natural gas pulse regulator and possibly a different office plate in front the carburator - the jet is large on the plate - it's an orifice that allows the correct air fuel mixture into the engine intake -
If a generator is a dual fuel or TRI fuel generator if it doesnt have a gas primer on it - start it on gas then turn on the propane or natural gas - as its getting gasoline and vapor gas it willbrun rough - just turn the gasoline valve off the carb will run out of gasoline then it will run smoth - Its always much easier to start the gen on gasoline -
I'm new to generators, but just used a new bi-fuel propane inverter. An experienced generator user told me, "Do not dirty your generator with gasoline!" I never added a drop of gasoline and started up easily with only propane. I did purge my propane cylinder and opened propane to prime my hose before attaching to generator- so it would not be trying to start on room air from the hose of possibly top of propane tank. Started right up for me.
Try starting it on propane when it gets real cold - if it's a problem just have some air cooled gas in a can on hand - you can use a syringe to add some through the fuel line on the carburator - unlike gasoline it leaves no residue in a carburator -
You can use starting fluid also to get it to start if it won't start on propane - Dual fuel engines are a better option - after hurricanes down here for up to 3 months they only deliver propane to hospitals and nursing homes ect - If I run low on propane I'll use gasoline instead -
hey tim,, great videos,, can you go over some info regarding gas meter sizes and requirements for the tri fuel generators . im looking to run my gas furnace while running the trifuel gen. on NG. my meter is a 250000 BTU .
This stuff is actually quite complicated. I have a quick connect for my BBQ so I was thinking I'll just get a 25ft hose and connect to the generator and it'll be fine. Reading some more, it appears that natural pressure is a problem even over pretty short distances and it's difficult to get 100000 BTU worth of pressure over those kinds of distances.
This May help I put a ton of work into this video that helps explain NG requirements Natural Gas REQUIREMENTS for GENERATOR - 8 IMPORTANT Questions Answered ruclips.net/video/bCKoPhhKdEE/видео.html
My gas meter and my garage where I would run the generator is about 40 ft apart. Questions. Any problem running a 50 ft xgas hise? Also, due to the length, is 1/2 inch ok or should I use 3/4 inch?
My gas fitter just left the house. He said he'd be happy to install the valve etc for 3/4 inch but he noted the NG inlet is a 3/8 in flare. He's concerned that even if I use the 3/4 inch, all that's getting in is what tbe small 3/8" will let in. Will I be starving the genny even witb a 3/4 inch hose due to the 3/8 flare? Help.
@@T4JQ3L so that was a concern I had until I dug into it so you just need the supply up to the 3/8 because the generator restricts the flow itself as flows the gas through the jets internally anyway it just needs the flow up to the genny
@@T4JQ3L It's all about wall friction due to the flow, which causes pressure drop. A larger diameter hose reduces pressure loss. As TMT states, the pressure drop from the 3/8" flared fitting that comes with the generator is taken into account in the design.
@@peters.mcgann5119 I have bought every adapter on AMZN trying to find out. The quick connect is 1/2in pipe thread (female), while the Firman is 3/8 FLARE (male). A local plumber said the female end is normally on a hose. Any assistance on the correct adapter is appreciated. Moving down to the 3/8in hose won't provide the necessary 100,000 BTU required by the generator (per the manual). 3/8 will only deliver 50,000 BTU, which is the minimum required to run it. Still on my quest to find it, but may be easier to just coil the hose onto the generator when not in use.
Hey Dev I reached out to FIrman and this was their response. "The natural gas flow will continue to flow if your natural gas shut off valve is not closed. There is a plunger on the diaphragm to stop fuel flow from reaching the cylinder. Every time the generator is shut off the natural gas valve on your home needs to be shut off."
I have a male fitting on the generator, not the hose, in case you disconnect the hose with gas supply on, no gas will come out of the hose. Safer that way.
@Bob Sliwinski I appreciate this recommendation! Also, how does the other end look like. Do you have a regular gas valve by the wall and a fitting with quick disconnect added there? I just came back from depot, I could not find anything there except gas valves and they had no clue what I'm trying to accomplish. I told them it's the same thing as for the NG grill, still no clue
You can always spell it different if you want to, but if you have natural gas, there’s usually somewhere near the meter that you could tap into it to create an outlet or if you’re not comfortable with that hire somebody to do it for you
HOW To Install a Trickle Charger on a Generator ruclips.net/video/_E3bzGA6t28/видео.html
Would recommend installing the quick connect (QC) fittings as you would with compressed air hoses... female QC at the NG supply pipe, male QC on the NG hose at that end, female QC on the NG hose at the generator end, male QC on the generator. This prevents leaking NG inadvertently if the hose is disconnected anywhere. Thanks for putting these great videos together, gets us all discussing the details.
Westinghouse generator comes with quick connect Propane and Natural Gas hoses and a battery charger.
i really would like to grab a westinghouse at some point to test one out thats good to know about the cnnections
the quick connect you linked to is 1/2" the fitting on the firman is 3/8
I think 3/4 is better instead of 1/2. Im going to order this one for duromax 13000EH
Tim you are awesome love your channel
Thanks mike
Nice Video. My main NG gas line is on the front of my house and my Generator is on the other side or back of my house, I think its about 50ft, can I run a long hose line or is there any limits on how long you can run?
Hi Tim - Thanks for the great advise and content. Do you see any issue with using a 3/4 gas hose or does it have to be 1/2? - Thanks
no 3/4 will be fine the generator will only allow the amount of gas it needs through its jet as it needs it, always better to have a size bigger than a little too small
I have a gas line running to my garage ceiling (there was a heater in there but the exhaust didn’t pass inspection when we bought the house so they had to remove the heater), there is a back porch off the garage… all I need to do is have someone run the gas line through the back wall of the garage and I can have NG to my grill (that’s where we use it) and my new Firman Tri-fuel (just bought one yesterday)! I’d be stupid not to do this!
Love to hear it. It’s a really good “poor man’s” whole home backup gnerator set up
The 24 foot 1/2" natural gas hose that I bought came with a 3/8" Female by 1/2" Male brass adapter to connect to the generator. It was too long (deep) on the female end and I had to sand it down so the bevel flange inside the adapter would seal against the LP gas (POL) fitting on the generator. I ended up installing a MB Sturgis Propane Elbow Adapter at the generator's 3/8" POL fitting. It is a 3/8" Female Flare Swivel x 3/8" Male Flare (Item # 204163) that I purchased from etrailer . Then I installed the 3/8" Female x 1/2" Male brass adapter there. This reduced the overall width of the generator and reduced the change of a tripping hazard.
So I’m going to reverse the way I have mine hooked up as well. It turns out I shouldn’t have that female connecter on the generator side so I’m gonna move it to the hose side and that will definitely decrease the with the generator as well. But thanks for sharing your story.
@@TOOLMANTIMSWORKSHOP Did you end up reversing the fittings? I'm trying to figure out how to put quick connections on each side of a hose, but there's a lot to figure out. I'd love to be able to have a single quick connect adapter that is small enough to not get knocked off the Firman. But then how do I put a similar fitting to hook up propane, if needed? Does that make sense? I'd just like to be able to quickly swap out propane and natural gas, with the same connection, without using tools.
I haven’t yet just simply because I never got around to ordering the parts. I looked at it the other day to do it and realized I need to order a whole Nother male and female set in the main reason for that is because I have that quick connect on one in for my barbecue and when I went up having on the hose is two female and just need to change just haven’t got to it yet.
@@TOOLMANTIMSWORKSHOP Any reason why the hose should have a male and a female quick connect, rather than just two males like you have it in the video? I think I've got all my parts to set it up like you have it here.
I was also looking to put an elbow on my firman tri fuel generator so I could still slide the cover over the generator and the fitting. Thanks for sharing the part number!
Have you had any issues with using a 1/2” line? As i search online for pipe sizing I keep seeing that for the needs of my generator and running a line that is around 20-30’ I will need a 3/4” line as the 1/2” may starve the generator when running at full capacity. Thoughts?
Excellent! Thank you!
No problem at all
Hello Tim love your videos because you explain what your doing, and I think that is great Thank you.
Have a Question I bought the same Firman Generator as you , but how did you get the quick connect on the Generator. Mine 3/8 is flare and I cannot find any place that will go for 3/8 flare to a 1/2 to the quick connect. the only way I could do it. I had to use four different connections to hook up the quick connect. That’s why I was wondering how you did yours thanks.
Thanks
Any time
Can I connect to the hose that feeds my kitchen stove?
Very complete and thorough videos Tim, I appreciate the dedication.
I have a question not covered in this video or your "requirements" video. Does your BBQ line feed directly from your incoming gas supply line (High Pressure) or is it fed from the downstream side of a regulator (low pressure?)
The downstream side. Thabks for watching
Well good I'm not alone but that's much bigger than the job I'm needing to do but a fitting like that on my gnrtr would probably work for what I'm doing.
My little gas tube is off the "gas on off" fitting. There was a rusty clamp on it and I had to trim my hose a 1/8". Hose comes from beneath and straight to ( gas off on fitting) Need a tight😲,tight, tight clamp.
I use to work in a medical lab and I was thinking of things I could use I'm a tool box like hemostats.
That would be per fect! For tonight. 😁
Question, can you take a dual fuel generator (gas/lpg) and run it on natural gas? What would be involved in doing this if it can be done?
Does anyone have a link for the Firman kit that Tim mentioned.
I hooked my Firman Trifuel 9400 to my home’s NPG line this evening using a 1/2 gas line with a male quick connect end and female flare end, but I couldn’t get to start. I had a co-worker that did a similar set up and had issues running off of NPG until he removed the quick connect. Any reason why the quick connect could be an issue, or is it something else. FYI, it fired right up when I switched to gas.
Purchased 2 10500 tri fuel gen and was wanting to know if it was okay to use a splitter from 1 gas line hose to both generator's or do I need dual lines for each generator?
Thanks for the video. I had to go to my local plumbing supply store to get a double male fitting. Their plumbing expert was surprised I planned to use a 1/2" dia. 24 ft hose. He did some calculations and said i should use a 3/4" NG line. Tim, any issue using your 1/2" line? The expert thinks the generator would be starved of NG to the point of not starting or at least not running at full capacity. Curious on others experiences also.
Mine has worked none at all. It runs perfect and full capacity.
Just an FYI -- you can order a hose from Firman direct and I believe it's also 1/2 inch.
May I ask why you taped the 3/8 flared fitting on the generator?
It is not recommended that you tape flared fitting google it
Can I run a 100 ft gas line from my natural gas outlet to my natural gas generator? Or will that length of line reduce the gas pressure to the generator?
Can you use Propane with converters for Gas generator?
The operating pressure is different when running on natural gas - propane generally is set for 11 inches of pressure and natural gas regulators are set for 6 inches of gas pressure -
Also on some the office is smaller off the propane regulator -
Natural gas is around 80000 BTUs per 1000 cubic ft - or has 10% less BTUs per equal volume of fuel - 1 gallon of liquid natural gas LNG is 80000 BTUs and 1 gallon of propane is 90000 BTUs -
A propane generator might run of propane but it will starve for fuel - that means you will have a sharp reduction on power or kw out put -
You would have to install a natural gas pulse regulator and possibly a different office plate in front the carburator - the jet is large on the plate - it's an orifice that allows the correct air fuel mixture into the engine intake -
Would be helpful to see the valve install
Today I learned BBQ outlets exist
I try to learn something new every day. Thanks for commenting
Thanks Thanks a great idea
If a generator is a dual fuel or TRI fuel generator if it doesnt have a gas primer on it - start it on gas then turn on the propane or natural gas - as its getting gasoline and vapor gas it willbrun rough - just turn the gasoline valve off the carb will run out of gasoline then it will run smoth -
Its always much easier to start the gen on gasoline -
I'm new to generators, but just used a new bi-fuel propane inverter. An experienced generator user told me, "Do not dirty your generator with gasoline!" I never added a drop of gasoline and started up easily with only propane. I did purge my propane cylinder and opened propane to prime my hose before attaching to generator- so it would not be trying to start on room air from the hose of possibly top of propane tank. Started right up for me.
Try starting it on propane when it gets real cold - if it's a problem just have some air cooled gas in a can on hand - you can use a syringe to add some through the fuel line on the carburator - unlike gasoline it leaves no residue in a carburator -
You can use starting fluid also to get it to start if it won't start on propane -
Dual fuel engines are a better option - after hurricanes down here for up to 3 months they only deliver propane to hospitals and nursing homes ect -
If I run low on propane I'll use gasoline instead -
Lot of people are going to wonder if the generator stalls will the open valve leak gas?
Tim, is your BBQ grill quick disconnect 3/8 inch? Did you use a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter to connect?
My bbq line is also 3/8. I just bought this generator and it runs fine with a 3/8 hose at 24 feet.
hey tim,, great videos,, can you go over some info regarding gas meter sizes and requirements for the tri fuel generators . im looking to run my gas furnace while running the trifuel gen. on NG.
my meter is a 250000 BTU .
This stuff is actually quite complicated. I have a quick connect for my BBQ so I was thinking I'll just get a 25ft hose and connect to the generator and it'll be fine. Reading some more, it appears that natural pressure is a problem even over pretty short distances and it's difficult to get 100000 BTU worth of pressure over those kinds of distances.
This May help I put a ton of work into this video that helps explain NG requirements
Natural Gas REQUIREMENTS for GENERATOR - 8 IMPORTANT Questions Answered
ruclips.net/video/bCKoPhhKdEE/видео.html
@@TOOLMANTIMSWORKSHOP Thank you, that was very informative. I'll leave a comment over there.
My gas meter and my garage where I would run the generator is about 40 ft apart. Questions. Any problem running a 50 ft xgas hise? Also, due to the length, is 1/2 inch ok or should I use 3/4 inch?
You might get away with 1/2” but you don’t want to starve the genny, I would go with 3/4 to be safe
My gas fitter just left the house. He said he'd be happy to install the valve etc for 3/4 inch but he noted the NG inlet is a 3/8 in flare. He's concerned that even if I use the 3/4 inch, all that's getting in is what tbe small 3/8" will let in. Will I be starving the genny even witb a 3/4 inch hose due to the 3/8 flare? Help.
@@T4JQ3L so that was a concern I had until I dug into it so you just need the supply up to the 3/8 because the generator restricts the flow itself as flows the gas through the jets internally anyway it just needs the flow up to the genny
@@T4JQ3L It's all about wall friction due to the flow, which causes pressure drop. A larger diameter hose reduces pressure loss. As TMT states, the pressure drop from the 3/8" flared fitting that comes with the generator is taken into account in the design.
What size is that male to female fitting. From the generator
The fittings at 4:05 in the video are not what is listed in your comments.
what this ever answered?
@@peters.mcgann5119 I have bought every adapter on AMZN trying to find out. The quick connect is 1/2in pipe thread (female), while the Firman is 3/8 FLARE (male). A local plumber said the female end is normally on a hose. Any assistance on the correct adapter is appreciated.
Moving down to the 3/8in hose won't provide the necessary 100,000 BTU required by the generator (per the manual). 3/8 will only deliver 50,000 BTU, which is the minimum required to run it.
Still on my quest to find it, but may be easier to just coil the hose onto the generator when not in use.
@TOOLMANTIMSWORKSHOP you have a link to the adapter used to connect the Quick Connect directly to the Firman? Thanks!
Great Video!
Is your BBQ a Blackstone by chance?
I have the same generator and a Blackstone quick connect in my line. Wondering if the Firmin is the same size.
If the generator dies though for whatever reason, does the gas just keep flowing or is there some sort of safety device that prevents that?
Hey Dev I reached out to FIrman and this was their response.
"The natural gas flow will continue to flow if your natural gas shut off valve is not closed. There is a plunger on the diaphragm to stop fuel flow from reaching the cylinder. Every time the generator is shut off the natural gas valve on your home needs to be shut off."
If the generator cuts out there is no longer any gas flow through the pulse regulator -
Is the female quick connect on the Westinghouse tri fuel an orphan? Does anyone know the mfr and model number? Can't hook up my hose.
a question? Natural gas does not damage my generator if it is propane
If you have a propane generator you would need a conversion kit to run it on Nat gas if you get that then no it will not damage it at all
@@TOOLMANTIMSWORKSHOP Thank you and how do I get the kit
Is a rule of thumb to have hose with male on both ends and female both on the generator and house gas outlet?
Thx
I have a male fitting on the generator, not the hose, in case you disconnect the hose with gas supply on, no gas will come out of the hose. Safer that way.
@Bob Sliwinski I appreciate this recommendation! Also, how does the other end look like. Do you have a regular gas valve by the wall and a fitting with quick disconnect added there? I just came back from depot, I could not find anything there except gas valves and they had no clue what I'm trying to accomplish. I told them it's the same thing as for the NG grill, still no clue
@@bobsliwinski2370 This was the recommendation I was going to make as well after seeing the video.
Prepare now not when the crap hits the fan, get it all ready today and then relax 😊
My firman ran pretty much everything in my house on gasoline. Will it run the same load on natural gas?
What if you don’t have a bar b Que lol
You can always spell it different if you want to, but if you have natural gas, there’s usually somewhere near the meter that you could tap into it to create an outlet or if you’re not comfortable with that hire somebody to do it for you
I close my eyes and hear Jordan Peterson speaking :o)
Thanks bill that’s an honor he and I are both from Alberta
...to some degree.