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How easy is it to convert a propane engine to run from CNG? I have a gas well w/ free gas. Would it violate?

I have a propane 20 horsepower Onan engine- the Onan Performer 20HP. It is from a propane floor burnisher ( you know the buffers they use to polish the grocery store with). It is set up for tanked propane and it has a 2 cylinder engine with a single throat manifold. I'm not too familiar with the exact way the propane is delivered, but I gather it is pulled into the intake from manifold vacuum. I do know that most natural gas appliances can be set up to run off of propane gas by changing a simple jet. However these engines are far more complicated I presume. The engine will be stationary and hooked to a standard natural gas line. My purpose for the conversion is that my sister lives in a remote area of Ohio where the gas wells have been producing for well over 100 years. My aunts well has been going since 1920 and she even keeps her burners on 24/7. It's very odd that even in the summer she leaves them on. I'm 43 and since I was a little kid she has done this. My parents well was drilled in about 1978 and the deal was that the gas company would give 8% of all gas piped out. This amounts to about two $500 checks annually. It is not uncommon for the well to be turned off for a few months out of the year based on demand. I've been told that all wells in the program are rotated for equal usage. Not too sure how true this is. You know, I'm not even sure if there is a meter for the house. Since my folks have passed and my sister now resides on the property and they use the checks to cover the property tax and upkeep of the house and 70 acres it sits on. It's a sweet deal for her because she also gets free rent. The downside is there is very few job opportunities in this remote area. So I was hoping I could help her make electric with this engine. She has a gas powered 7 kilowatt generator that I will take the generator from. The Onan engine is a vertical shaft, and her generator is horizontal so I will need to figure out a way to unite them. I figured I could use a couple of universal joints in series and make a transition from vertical to horizontal. Any ideas for an easier way? I am pretty sure that using the gas to produce electric fits within the guidelines of " for the consumption of the one primary residence". My Aunt who moved her trailer to the property in her later years had to pay the usual rate of $50 a month for unlimited natural gas. Hmm, as I write this this leads me to believe that what I am attempting could be desired by anyone who has an unchanging price for an unlimited usage on a fossil fuel. I'd obviously keep it low because an epidemic of people using their gas to make electric could cause serious problems. Don't get me wrong, I realize that maybe even if this could be pulled off I might be being totally inconsiderate of it's effects on the environment, but as of yet I don't see the harm. As far as electric goes, the source for the area is from two large reactors that can be seen on the horizon from the high elevation property. The locals are told it's a coal burning plant. Coal does come in on conveyors, but when you drive by the facility there are nuclear signs posted everywhere. It's the Keiger Creek plant just east of Gallipolis Ohio if you are interested. Any ideas would be gratefully considered. The engine will be located more than likely underground. It being an air cooled engine though might mean a different air circulation set-up. No, you obviously didn't read it. Were you in a hurry, or are you a slow reader?? I suppose maybe I said CNG ( oops, I thought CNG was clean natural gas, maybe I'm wrong, is it compressed natural gas?) if so, my bad, but I did say I am using it straight from the gas line in a stationary application. Reading my whole 2,3,4 paragraphs I clearly described it. ...bummer if my only answerer gets 'best answer' by default, because the answer is not a good answer especially since you didn't do what you were taught in school- READ THE ENTIRE QUESTION BEFORE ANSWERING!

Public Comments

1. I did not read all your question. It is far too long. Yes you can convert from propane to compressed natural gas. The power output will be different.You will need to advance or retard the spark. The main problem is CNG will require a different tank since a propane tank is not designed to handle the much higher pressures involved. Try not to blow yourself up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Don't over complicate things. For many years farmers on the prairie ran their center pivot pumps with standard chevy 350 engines. Yes they had a special carb. (similar to a propane carb and a high energy ignition) but the gas was not under high pressure. As for the generator it will not care if it is mounted vertically it will not produce sideways current. Stay away from the u joints you'll only end up with a banging, clattering, binding mess.
3. OK I have already researched this to some extent in hopes of running my garden tractor mower with either propoane or natural gas, . Here is link to a web site I looked at Small Engine Generator Conversion Kit - Propane Conversion Kits ...Generator Propane Conversion Kits for Small Engine & Generator Natural Gas Conversion Kits. Great Alternative Fuels. www.propanecarbs.com/small_engines.html - Cost aboput $150 or so to convert enigne you already ahve. You wont have to make adapters etc to put other engine on the generator. Good Luck