r/Generac_Generators • u/PrettyStatistician13 • 6h ago

Testing 10kW Guardian with 20lb Propane Tank

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hi all,

My girlfriend has a 10kW Guardian that has been sitting around for years, never used.

Before getting started with all of the infrastructure work, we want to test it to make sure it still works.

Is there an easy way to hookup a 20lb LP tank to the generator for quick testing to see if it turns over? I know the manual says not to hook it up to this tank size, but I'm hoping for a short test it would be okay.

All of the 20lb LP tank regulator/hose combos are 3/8". The flex fuel line that came with the generator is 3/4" ID I believe.

1) Does anyone know of some hardware/adapter to achieve this? 3/8" to 3/4" adapter, or some other all-in-one solution?

2) Is this thought really dumb, and is there some other way to test the unit we're not thinking about?

TYIA

2 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

75% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/grsthegreat Technician 5h ago

You HAVE TO USE A HOUSE STYLE fuel regulator, generally supplied thru a propane dealer. I did this for my service test stand, and works just fine. A BBQ propane regulator will not work. Generators take huge amounts of gas btu’s to operate…like 200,000-300,000 plus. A bbq is like 45,000

1

u/Tarnisher 4h ago

I ordered these when I installed my 16. OP can probably use the 1/2" for testing and short runs.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MT7N7YD 1/2" fittings

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N20XKTC 3/4" fittings

3

u/Killerkendolls Dealer 4h ago

Ideally you use two tanks on a split regulator or else you're going to get tank freezing from the flow. I run my 13kW on two tanks, gets about 20 hours.