Propane conversion on a portable generator

[Ljohnsaw]

Lots of very old threads about conversions but I have a couple specific questions.

My son works at a big box store and twice a year have a few days employees get 20% off anything in the store. A customer came up to ring up a 3560/4550W generator. Normally listed for $459 came up $192. The store was closing them out. Made by Firman and can't tell what the engine is. Quick search says may be Kohler, LCT or a generic china made.

So employees made a mad dash for the isle to snag one. I had him get me one, $165 out the door!

It states that you will void the 3 year warranty if you run it on anything other than gas. I'm not really worried about that but wondering

1: Does the engine depends on lubrication from the gas for the top end?

2: Assuming the maker doesn't provide one, are there generic conversion kits that would work?

I know there is a loss of power for propane. I'm also loosing power with my altitude. They do offer different needles for altitude but a strong warning about going back to lower altitude and not converting back. Seems like a hassle.

Just wondering if it's worth doing as this will be a standby generator for the house. I loose power here a couple times a year. Between a couple hours and a couple days. Just looking to keep my fridge going.

[Magicman]

I searched converting small engine to propane and got many hits with videos and kits.

[Raider Bill]

We bought kits off amazon for our harbor frieght gens.
 

[SawyerTed]

On our dual fuel generator, the only difference between gas and propane is the peak output.   Propane, as you mentioned, gives a few watts less peak output.  We rarely need peak output for a sustained period anyway. 

The convenience of propane is worth trying the conversion.  We use it mainly with our camper so carrying a propane tank is a lot easier than a jug of gas.

[Log-it-up]

I've been told propane is cleaner burning and less problems with engine starts after setting for periods of time no lubrication difference as engine oil lubricants the necessary parts.
But from first hand experience with living off a generator for a couple years propane can be finakey with the right pressure to get peak out put 
Generally propane usage is higher not as efficient when using gas some time as close to a third difference per hr in my area propane is any where from 50 cents to a dollar per gallon more expensive 
While propane is a little cleaner to deal than gasoline, it is easily gotten any time of the day propane fill ups are a more 8-5 thing in my area 

[doc henderson]

I think NG is even less than propane.

[rusticretreater]

1: Does the engine depends on lubrication from the gas for the top end?

2: Assuming the maker doesn't provide one, are there generic conversion kits that would work?

The engine would require oil for top-end lubrication as there is no oil in your fuel mixture.  All of these engines have the same basic design and the oil pump pushes the oil to the top end.

Firman doesn't make a conversion kit, so you have to make a choice on that.