Searching_Ut
Utah
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Bernadette Shoe wrote:Thanks nitrohorse.
Has anyone converted a Champion 2000 inverter to natural gas? If not, can it be done and how?
Did you break-in the engine? If so, did you use 'regular' oil instead of synthetic? And how long did you run the unit at less than 50% power for the break-in?
This thread is really quiet. Or maybe it is because I spent every evening until 1am during a full week reading the 215 pages.
I can't imagine how you'd do a natural gas conversion that would result in acceptable performance. Building the engine from the ground up in regards to compression, timing etc can result in acceptable performance, but you virtually always loose a lot of power trying to convert an existing engine.
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PrivatePilot
Greater Toronto Area
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Propane conversions are pretty common in the Honda world, and Champion even makes propane models. Natural gas and propane aren't that far apart so far as BTU's go, so I'm sure it could be done.
If I was to do a natural gas conversion solely to be used at home as a backup I'd do it on a much more simplistic (AKA, Champion 3000/4000 frame synchronous) model versus the 2000i though.
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Bernadette Shoe
Ontario
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Searching_Ut wrote:Bernadette Shoe wrote:Thanks nitrohorse.
Has anyone converted a Champion 2000 inverter to natural gas? If not, can it be done and how?
Did you break-in the engine? If so, did you use 'regular' oil instead of synthetic? And how long did you run the unit at less than 50% power for the break-in?
This thread is really quiet. Or maybe it is because I spent every evening until 1am during a full week reading the 215 pages.
I can't imagine how you'd do a natural gas conversion that would result in acceptable performance. Building the engine from the ground up in regards to compression, timing etc can result in acceptable performance, but you virtually always loose a lot of power trying to convert an existing engine.
It is understood that switching from gasoline to LP you lose 10% and switching from gasoline to NG you lose 20%. Not ideal, but it might be worth the trade-off for some.
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Bernadette Shoe
Ontario
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PrivatePilot wrote:Propane conversions are pretty common in the Honda world, and Champion even makes propane models. Natural gas and propane aren't that far apart so far as BTU's go, so I'm sure it could be done.
If I was to do a natural gas conversion solely to be used at home as a backup I'd do it on a much more simplistic (AKA, Champion 3000/4000 frame synchronous) model versus the 2000i though.
Two problems with bigger genny: 1) Too noisy to be run 24/7 and 2) unless one buys an expensive model like Honda or Yamaha, the quality of the electricity produced is less than what I wish to have.
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Bernadette Shoe
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CALLING THE FOLKS AT CHAMPION (GLOBAL) POWER EQUIPMENT:
I opened my unit after it ran for 12 hours and found out that two wires are in the process of being sliced due to friction between the wires and the inside of the unit.
I haven't yet succeeded in posting pics, so you will have to follow the link, sorry.
In the first pic you can see that the insulation around the wire is completely cut. I believe it is rubbing against the engine itself (below the pull rope).
cut in first wire
In the second pic, I haven't succeeded to take a good pic of the cut in the wire, but I indicated it by a yellow circle. I believe it is rubbing against the plastic bottom of the unit.
second wire
And the last pic is a global view with yellow arrows pointing at the two wires in question.
Gloval view
Hope it helps.
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Bernadette Shoe
Ontario
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I removed the spark plug and inserted a small camera inside the cylinder. I did two videos; the first one is from a genny right out of the box. I filmed the STOP sign so you will know which one it is for sure. The second video is from another genny that was run for 13 hours.
During the filming, I managed to pull the cord to move the piston up and down.
out of the box
13 hours usage
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DSchmidt_2000
Ventura
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Bernadette Shoe wrote:I removed the spark plug and inserted a small camera inside the cylinder.
Very cool! What are you using to take the pictures? (I'm interested in buying something like that)
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PrivatePilot
Greater Toronto Area
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One of these (or similar), I suspect:
They can be had for anywhere from $50 to $100 or so for many consumer models.
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Bernadette Shoe
Ontario
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DSchmidt_2000 wrote:Bernadette Shoe wrote:I removed the spark plug and inserted a small camera inside the cylinder.
Very cool! What are you using to take the pictures? (I'm interested in buying something like that)
This is what I used: inspection camera
Though I bought it elsewhere. One of the MOST important part is the detachable wireless lcd monitor. You have no idea! When it is fixed to the handle, it can be very difficult to use.
I highly recommend it. Btw, those two videos I posted were the very first videos I made since I bought it last year.
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Bernadette Shoe
Ontario
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In regards to my earlier post about the two wires which are in the process of being sliced, I wanted to add that you can check your own genny very easily.
All you have to do is remove the 4 screws of the panel where the 120V outlet is located and gently pull the small panel a few inches towards you. Using a flashlight, you should have no difficulty seeing the dark pink wire from my first pic.
If you do, please let us know if your wire is also damaged.
I figured that since I was running the genny on a hard platform (my balcony) instead of a lawn, most of the vibration couldn't be dissipated through the floor, so it created more vibration/friction. Nevertheless, this is unacceptable for a unit that ran 13 hours and CPE should better protect the wires.
* This post was
edited 02/16/12 09:27am by Bernadette Shoe *
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