Honda adds first dual-fuel engines - Industry News - Honda Engines

Diesel Progress North American Edition, May, 2003 by Mike Osenga

In order to meet what it sees as increasing demand for gaseous-fueled generator sets, especially for residential use, Honda Engines, Alpharetta, Ga., has developed two dual-fuel 620 and 670 cc displacement V-twin engines. These are the first two gaseous-fueled engines in the Honda Engine line, which had heretofore been comprised of all gasoline engines.

When used in conjunction with the new T202ANL-620/670 fuel system module developed in partnership with Impco Technologies Inc., the new Honda GX620K1 and GX670 engines can operate on either propane or natural gas. The engines began production in April.

In residential uses, the engines are seen as operating off a home's existing natural gas line, or using propane in more remote areas. The two new dual-fuel engines have been designed for sale to generator set packagers with both Coleman and Winco having introduced new generator sets with the Honda engines.

Designed to operate at 3600 rpm, the GX620K1 produces 14.5 hp on natural gas, and 17.0 hp on propane. The GX670 develops 16.3 hp on natural gas, and 19.4 hp on propane.

The cylinder heads of the GX620K1 and GX670 have been redesigned to meet the demands of gaseous fuel operation, and a two-barrel mixer specifically designed for gaseous carburetion of the V-twins replaces the carburetor. Honda said all of the engines are equipped with an oil-cooler adapter on the oil filter base and offer an available factory-installed oil cooler to optimize oil temperatures.

In addition, a fuel delivery unit from Impco that modulates the flow of fuel from the source to the engine consists of a regulator, two fuel lock-off valves, T-joint assembly with main jets for natural gas and LPG, and a 40 in. inlet hose assembly The T-joint allows the use of either propane or natural gas, depending on which outlet of the "T" is connected to the engine.

As with its conventional Honda gasoline counterparts, the dry gas engines are a 90[degrees] V-twin OHV design. To reduce operating costs, Honda utilizes a breather design and three-piece oil ring that improves oil circulation efficiency for lower oil consumption.

For noise reduction, the Honda GX620K1 and GX670 use cam and oil pump gears made of a lightweight, durable and heat-resistant resin that minimizes gear-meshing noise, the company said. Quiet operation is further optimized with irregular-pitch fan blades and a plastic resin fan cover.

SEE DIRECT LINK @ WWW.DIESELPUB.COM OR CIRCLE 107 ON CARD