Will a Cheap $40 Carburetor Breathe New Life Into This Machine? Generac LP5500 Generator

This Generac LP5500 Propane generator was dropped off to Gary's by a customer after it failed to start. Gary properly diagnosed it as a bad propane regulator. Water got into the regulator and caused a lot of damage. Although Gary got the generator to run, the regulator really needs a rebuild. Unfortunately Generac does not supply a rebuild kit. Instead Generac offers a new regulator for $300! The owner did not want to pay for the EOM part. Gary offered the option of a new brand Garretson KN regulator for less money. The still did not want to repair the generator and told Gary to keep it...

Gary passed it on to me for parts or repair. Will a cheap $40 Amazon tri-fuel caruretor breathe new life into this machine? I have my doubts.

Generator Model: 0060010

Rustoleum Paint (Rustic Orange):

Visit My Amazon Store:

I no longer use Harbor Freight Super Heavy Duty Degreaser in my ultrasonic cleaner. Harbor Freight changed the recipe. The bottle previously stated "NON-CORROSIVE". Now it says "CORROSIVE", "do not user on Aluminum". It now damages most carburetors.
#Generac #GeneratorRepair #SmallEngineRepair #SmallEngine #DIY #Fixed #Troubleshooting #HowTo #Propane

0060010, 0G8442F124, Alternator, Bad Regulator, Diaphragm, Fixed, GEN-0G8442F124, Garretson KN, Garretson Regulator, Garretson, Generac, Generator, Governor Spring, Hertz, Hipa, How To, How-To, Ignition Switch, LP3250, LP5500, Load Bank, Load Test, Propane Carburetor, Propane Conversion, Propane Engine, Propane Regulator, Propane, Regulator Rebuild, Regulator, Repair,
Rustoleum Rustic Orange, SIMPLEX, Set Engine Speed, Small Engine, THD, Total Harmonic Distortion, Tri-Fuel Conversion, Troubleshooting, Won't Start

[MadmanJimbo]

That has to have a heat shield. Between the hose and the exhaust. Its not optional. Major code issue. You also have violated code by having a two stage regulator that vents in the open near the electrical panel, and within 3 ft of the exhaust A two stage reg vents propane to atmosphere under certain conditions. You have ignition sources way too close.
That machine is an explosion waiting to happen.

The old automotive style regulator was isolated from speak and ignition by metal shielding.

This one is not. It has vents.

Don’t even think about selling it.

Serious advice from someone who knows. Unless your insurance covers burning down customer houses, etc.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[fierohoho]

I have that same model Generac. It was always hard to start. I spoke with a guy a few years ago, turns out he works for a company that makes kits to convert pretty much anything from gas to propane. I explained to him the issue I had with starting and that the prime/purge was done for 5 seconds. He advised me that 2 seconds should be more than adequate. I tried it and did find it started much easier. Another thing he told me was to not open the valve for the propane quickly, open it as slow as possible. He said the quick way can cause a surge of pressure that shuts the diaphragm down and it's better to open the valve as slowly as possible.

[AW-Services]

I'm so glad generators break... just so we, the public around the world, have the pleasure of watching your weekly informative and quality videos, Jim. You really are an authority on small engines, and your attention to detail is commendable. That tri fuel carb is so affordable, yet it suits this application perfectly. Im seriously impressed with American spray paint cans and the distance of spray coverage compared to my British options. Thanks again from Austin and your UK audience 👏 👏 👏 👏

[HwSystems]

Hi James, don't underestimate the grill adapter. The vacuum of the engine allow the regulator to output lots more propane than it would normally do for a grill :)

[DeadKoby]

Nothing beats finding a good and affordable solution for a problem you've encountered before, and may encounter again.

[timhvac]

I have to say I'm blown away by that carburetor 40 bucks and it's worth every penny once again amazing video.

[YukonHawk]

That genny had a tough life. It appears to have been stored outside. It's so faded. Great video Jim. Thank you.

[farmingsmallkubota]

i was hoping you would leave the hose long so that a 100lb propane cylinder could be used. Great job on the Generator

[jimmyupson]

Hey Jim. Thank you for another excellent video. As an electrician who has done control panels, we would mark the cutout with masking tape which also would protect the paint. Then drill the corner's with a bit slightly bigger than a metal use, jig saw blade. Then jig saw the cut out. Always hold the jig saw firmly to the work before turning it off.

[johncourtneidge]

Hurrah! Thanks to you, Jason, the original owner and Amazon!

I'd say that Propane is the preferred fuel for these stand-by items: no long-term gummed up gasoline.

[joenmass]

Another great video. Thanks. I find that the best way to cut out a square opening like you did in the video is to use a metal cutting fine tooth jigsaw blade. First drill 4 small holes at each corner for clean corners and squareness, then make an opening with a dremel in the center of the square just to fit the jigsaw blade.

[Bassguitarist]

Great video James and glad you were able to get it to a sellable condition! Thank you for the shout out and channel mentions! 😊

[orlypalomar]

As always, great video! For future reference, There are two load-block adjustment screws on that $40 tri-fuel carb. It's on the LP-NG selection knob itself. One screw is the load block for LP, the other for NG. I had to find this out the hard way. To tell which screw is which, turn the knob to your fuel of choice and whichever screw lines up with the center axis of the outlet tube, is the currently selected load-block.

[jimweinheimer]

A good trick for removing glue and old paint is to use easy off oven cleaner. It is a trick I learned from an old hand sign painter

[anthonysummy]

James, Thank you for testing this carb! I am as surprised as you are that a $42 carb would work so well! As I told you before, I am considering converting my (older) Predator 8750 gasoline generator to propane or NG and I am very happy that this cheap carb works this well. Again, thank you for your time and effort!

[geoffmolyneux]

I did a similar conversation, but on my all power 3500 propane generator. I bought a propane carb with an adjustable load mixture screw. The old regulator had a venting diaphragm problem. The vent hole was totally glued shut, so it would not adjust regulator pressure to the 1000 feet above sea level, where i am. Like you my generator started on 1 first pull on propane. I used my old camper high pressure regulator to connect to the propane. I also had a natural gas 3/8 quick connection which i tested connected to the low pressure regulator. I am happy now. Connect generator either to propane or natural gas, press the prime button for about 3 seconda. 1 pull and away I go. 🙂🙂🙂👍👍

[xcalibre]

I put one of those cheap 40 dollars carbs on a Wen 3500 gen to run on natural gas. It worked Great. I eventually sold it and bought a bigger B&S 5500 gen. I tried adding the Garrison kit to run on natural gas but gas supply didn't provide enough natural gas to run it so I switched it back to gasoline. I sure miss running on natural gas. It made everything so easy. Oh well! Thanks for the Great Vids Jim.

[charlielamb]

your videos are like therapy, informative, and relaxing.

[calculusentropy]

I loved this. Years ago I converted a few generators to tri-fuel primarly to use natural gas. I had US Carb convert one, then I did the rest myself. simply boring a hole for a copper inlet sealed with JB Weld. Propane is easier to start but the benefit of unlimited fuel kept me going 3-5 days last hurricane. Anywho the "snorker" options looked cokamamie to me by comparison, though sometimes they fit and mostly work. I was going to say drill out your carb until I saw the one you got and holy cow, talk about a deal. I added all the regulation and so on myself but that package looks perfect and better thought out than well anything I ever saw on the market. You're a genius. Well done.

[ericwilliams]

Love that carburetor been making those conversions for years. Glad to see you play with one on your show.