From: jonathon (jemery@execpc.com)
Date: Fri May 30 2003 - 18:27:59 PDT
>without an external heat source, like electric from the vehicle, I've had
>the regulator freeze up at +40deg. F. until the engine warms......
>If it is heated with radiator water, the problem is it can freeze until the
>engine warms up.
Well yes, that's another issue. What we do with the larger engines (when
it's cold/colder out), like the dump trucks (which are 4ea Toro's and 2ea 1
ton dually sized), is to add a vapor valve to the tank then start out on
vapor till the engine warms then turn on the liquid valve and close the
vapor. You will get alot more running time before you freeze up the main
tank than you will before you'd freeze up the vaporizer. A bit of trouble
if your not into fussing with things like that. The LP parts place I go to
says they have done this using solenoid valves for people with a simple dash
switch.
With my fork truck I also added vapor valves to all my cylinders and I run
off vapor most all the time. This keep the heavy crap(oil and goo) in the
cylinder and out of the vaporizer/regulator and if your doing what they
call bunny starts, that being start it up run it for a minute or so then
shut it off, it's easier on the seat for the first stage (high pressre) in
the regulator section.
For both myself and other people, I have rebuilt dozens of carbs and
regulator units as well as the vaccum lock off valves. This stuff is so easy
to work it's hard to believe, at least if you stick with Impco. It's not
uncommon to do a complete rebuild including cleaning in under 1/2 hour. The
kits for all three components are readily available and reasonably priced.
But then LP has it's drawbacks. You burn more fuel than gasoline, and with
LP being more than gas these days (depending on what tax structure you get
it under) it's not an economical way to go for something that's going to be
used alot.
Another potential problem is that you need your electric system really up to
it's full potention for LP. If your battery is weak and it's cold/colder out
and thus perhaps you don't have the hotest spark you could be getting, your
going to have trouble getting it to start. Often need to use some ether to
help it out. Also how you plumb the components can have an effect on how it
will start (after sitting) the longer your hose between the carb and
regulator, for example, will increase the cranking time needed to get the
fuel gas into the engine.
There's no choke with these carbs and there are only two adjustments, well
three if you concider the idle speed screw, the other two are very simple to
set and normall never need to be changed.
Anyway, hope that helps.
later,
je
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