Onan 5500 conversion

[Rabidd]

Has anyone done a propane conversion on a 5500 Onan going from gas to propane. If you have does this eliminate the hard starting problems and all the issues with the ethynol gas messing the carb up.

[dcg9381]

Have not done the conversion. So take this for what it's worth.

* Propane will increase your fuel consumption by 20-25% (ballpark)
* It may not work very well or at all, during cold temperatures.
* You'll make less power with propane, typically - probably only an issue at higher altitudes where power is further reduced.
* It'll get rid of any ethanol/carb problems.

I've owned 3 5500 Onans. I've never had issues with Ethanol in the gas, probably because I stabilize (marine stabilizer) every single drop of gas that goes into the RV or I use non-ethanol fuel (AV fuel or other). I also run that generator at a minimum of once every 45 days.

If I was going to let it sit, I'd disconnect the fuel pump (or put in a disconnect switch) and run it out of fuel... Or I'd drain the bowl. The fuel in the tank, stabilized, is probably good for 12 months.

Can really respond to "hard start" issues - haven't had them... Yet.

[spicercars]

I run only non oxy in the gererator. That way I have no carb problems. Never had problems with hard starting. Are you sure your running the fuel pump before cranking?

[PerryB]

Have not done the conversion. So take this for what it's worth.

* Propane will increase your fuel consumption by 20-25% (ballpark)
* It may not work very well or at all, during cold temperatures.
* You'll make less power with propane, typically - probably only an issue at higher altitudes where power is further reduced.
* It'll get rid of any ethanol/carb problems.

I've owned 3 5500 Onans. I've never had issues with Ethanol in the gas, probably because I stabilize (marine stabilizer) every single drop of gas that goes into the RV or I use non-ethanol fuel (AV fuel or other). I also run that generator at a minimum of once every 45 days.

If I was going to let it sit, I'd disconnect the fuel pump (or put in a disconnect switch) and run it out of fuel... Or I'd drain the bowl. The fuel in the tank, stabilized, is probably good for 12 months.

Can really respond to "hard start" issues - haven't had them... Yet.


^^^ That pretty much sums it up. I had an Onan 4000 that had been converted to LPG. My biggest PRO was that it always started right up, even after prolonged sitting. My biggest CON was lugging around that extra cylinder (I carried a 10 gal.). If you stay with gas, Sta-Bil or avgas is your friend. I never got into cold enough weather where vaporization/pressure became an issue, so I don't know at what point that becomes a problem. Personally I would probably not convert to LPG, the one I had was done by a previous owner.

[Rabidd]

Thanks for the info is there a drain on the fuel tank?

[dcg9381]

Not on my tank. It's not the tank that you want to drain. It's the "bowl" on the carb, which will have a drain, typically 10mm or so.

Fill the tank. Stabilize the fuel (marine stabilizer). It's probably good for a year and helps prevent rust in the tank. If you're in a state where you can get non-ethanol fuel, this will help greatly.