WEN 3600 Dual Fuel Inverter Generator - DF360IX - Why I'm Switching to Propane

[@avs-forum]

Propane is a far better choice than gas. Gas might give slightly more power, but it comes with way more baggage. You made the right choice, and I just made the same. I can store a large amount of propane with ease compared to gas. Thanks for the video.

[@wes326]

Mine worked fine on propane. Ran it for 20 hours powering the house via a generator interlock. 15# propane tank lasted about 10 hours. Not planning on using gas unless it's an emergency. Happy so far.

[@chetmyers7041]

Hint, OPEN the valve on propane SLOWLY. Maybe multiple times if trouble starting. OPEN, close, OPEN. There is a plastic "BB" inside the regulator that is supposed to be an excess flow safety device. Actually, it is a frustration device.

[@twc9016]

lol... nice, yeah frustration device. I will try a couple times going slower as I have read that and thought I even went pretty slow in the vid, but maybe just this tank/valve, but trying a few times it has been consistently 10-20 pulls to get it going, but so far can always get it running again. It is pretty easy to pull over as well, so not too bad, but annoying for sure

[@steelpix]

Here’s the trick. Once the regulator and tank is turned open, there is a little hole in the side of the regulator. Take a paper clip inserted in the little hole on the regulator, then press the diaphragm with it for about 10 seconds, and you will hear it hiss . Then go to the generator, put it on choke and pull slowly about 5 times. Put it on run and on the third pull it will start.

[@twc9016]

thanks, will give it a go next time I pull out the generator. Looking at the regulator/hose. Is it the small hole in the center of the flat area on the large secondary regulator that I need to try pressing with the paper clip? Seems to be the only place fitting that description, I do not see one on the first small regulator.

[@steelpix]

@@twc9016 yes. You’ll know as it is spungy and you’ll hear a hiss.

[@chetmyers7041]

It's not difficult to convert "premium gas" to ethanol free 87 octane. "how to make ethanol free gasoline" You do have a good agreement about the ease of long term storage of propane.

[@enthused7591]

Nothing against propane but I've never had any issues with ethanol free fuel going bad within a year. Not a bad idea to swap it out every 6-8 months, and stock up before storm season just to be done with it. Propane and ethanol free are both smart ways to go as long as you're proactive.

[@twc9016]

yeah, not gonna get rid of the gas generator, but just nice to have the propane store a little longer. 15-20 years ago in this area ethanol free was much easier to come by with 87 right down the street. But now, closest is 91 and is 45 mins away, if they have it at all, and then I have to go over an hour away to find 87 ethanol free now days. It is worth the trip and lasts longer though . Stabil has helped for the local ethanol pump gas and swap out every 4-5 months or so, but during the last prolonged outage after day 3 there was no gas anywhere within an hour, was able to get by with pumping out of one of the cars tanks, but there were plenty of propane tank swap places around and stocked, so I guess I am just diversifying my backup options...lol. I ended up getting a 40lb tank, and have 3 20lbs ones around now, so that should get me in the 70-80'ish hour run time on top of the 30-35hrs of gas I have, after that, guess it is time to go

[@Walt-c9m]

Wow my Wen propane starts second or third pull. I don’t purge anything but i do wait for the gas to fill carburetor i can smell it most times.

[@scottmalan1223]

On propane, the propane bypasses the carburetor, I’m pretty sure.

[@Walt-c9m]

@@scottmalan1223 yes but what i meant was i let the propane fill the intake and backup to carburetor.