How to tap into propane (iron pipe) line

[4570Man]

Since op didn't ask for help sizing the gas line or opinions on whether he should install his generator I trust he has that part covered. For crowd that insist's on kicking it around,here's something you can stir into the pot. I've been running irrigation pumps,generators and farm tractors on propane since the 50s. Although non of the engines were rated in BTUs,all had horsepower ratings prominatly displayed. The smallest was a 22 hp 9N,the largest was a 426 Hemi nicknamed Elephant but I'll talk about one that has been on our farm since new in 1958 because it's the one I've owned,used,repaired and maintained the longest. 841 Ford rated at 62 horsepower. I seriously doubt the engine on OPs gen is even close and this old girl has been happy with a 1/2" line now going on 65 years. You can aurgue it must not have been loaded heavy else it would have starved and suffered damage that required repair. Maybe not,but it has been loaded heavy enough to bring the governer in at full throttle.
I'm looking foward to istallation of transfer switch. "EVERYBODY" on TBN are experts when it come's to electricity so it should turn out to be fun,fun,fun.

Does your setup have a propane regulator on the engine and supply to engine at bottle pressure vs have the regulator first? I’ve never done much work with propane but with natural gas the supply line is such low pressure that it takes a large diameter to get anything done.

 

[ddbackhoe]

I will double check the btu's and answer a few questions (soon) in a later post. I do agree it must be rated at substantially more btu's than that .... will check.

Here are a couple of pix ... it's 3/4" pipe. I placed the black pipe in the direction I want to run it, just setting it for an example. Where the propane line goes into the house-- it runs about 10 feet and feeds a water heater. No other gas demand.

The main tank is about 50 feet away. I can trench and install a home run pipe if needed .....

Just because;

https://www.gasequipment.com/pdfs/P_4_PipingAndTubingPoster.pdf

Gas code is written by the NFPA and adopted into various local building code. The parts of the code that may apply to this situation are 37, 54 and 58

 

[jaxs]

Does your setup have a propane regulator on the engine and supply to engine at bottle pressure vs have the regulator first? I’ve never done much work with propane but with natural gas the supply line is such low pressure that it takes a large diameter to get anything done.

As with any compressed gas,pressure must be regulated whether feeding flame or engine. I'll be happy to answer questions any time about LP fueled engines. Cutting through the chase,what has been overlooked here is that engines have suction and unless blowen burners don't. That is a detail that makes a HUGE difference in fuel supply tube/pipe.

 

[ultrarunner]

Is a requirement for permit installation of water heaters and furnaces. Sure, people can do this themselves without a permit. But sometimes this bites you if you sell your home and must disclose this. Yes, I know many do these things: they are still not legal by code.

It must vary as I as property owner pulled permit to replace water heater at a fire damage rental... tenant caused fire and I did all repair to final... and inspections here are generally considered strict... also did a bunch of service upgrades coordinating with city and utility and several are multi-family...

 

[ultrarunner]

Just an afterthought.

Brother is on propane with two water heaters and central furnace.

The tank is quite a distance from the appliances for easy fill and when the furnace was upgraded it also involved adding/replacing regulators.

He is not in a freezing climate but was left with the option of increasing pipe diameter from the tank or increasing the line pressure.

The contractor said bumping up the line pressure would cost a fraction of running a new larger line.

It's been 6 years and no issue.

 

[grsthegreat]

here in north idaho, the propane companies will come and inspect the existing hookup and determine what , if anything, needs to be upgraded. they dont charge for inspection. your area may be the same.

 

[3Ts]

In my area a plumber does the gas installation (I think a homeowner can, but I did not check) and the propane company checks it before they will fill the tank. There were issues that were finally resolved, but not in the most desirable way. The issues were: 1) supply pipe in the house was to small (1/2" csst for 168,000 btu at about 100') 2) no shutoff valve at the last gas appliance.

I have a line from my tank to the house where it T's off - one leg to the 2nd stage regulator for the house, the other to the 2nd stage regulator to the generator. I think it is a 3/4" line but could be 1/2" and it carries 10psi. The 2nd stage regulators drop it to the 11" water column pressure (.43 psi or near that). The line to the generator is 3/4" out of the regulator then to a 1-1/4" 4' long black pipe as a storage buffer because the generator uses more fuel on startup than when running. Then back to 3/4" pipe and a shut off valve, the drip leg and flex pipe before entering the generator. The black pipe is held in place with a short section of electrical unistrut bolted to the concrete slab and the pipe clamped to that. Generator is a 22kw Generac.

 

[bigtiller]

I will double check the btu's and answer a few questions (soon) in a later post. I do agree it must be rated at substantially more btu's than that .... will check.

Here are a couple of pix ... it's 3/4" pipe. I placed the black pipe in the direction I want to run it, just setting it for an example. Where the propane line goes into the house-- it runs about 10 feet and feeds a water heater. No other gas demand.

The main tank is about 50 feet away. I can trench and install a home run pipe if needed .....

That brass flared fitting on the end of the shutoff valve suggest to me that it was once setup for a propane gas barbeque grill.

I would want someone "in the know" to put eyes on it and give it his blessing before advancing to the next step.

 

[jaxs]

here in north idaho, the propane companies will come and inspect the existing hookup and determine what , if anything, needs to be upgraded. they dont charge for inspection. your area may be the same.

Same in most of Texas. The key is competition. Without it suppliers aren't so free with freebees,with it they do what they can to earn and keep a customer. The same is true for welding gas. I'm imbarrassed to say how much money I've made over the last 3 years with welding bottles from scrapyards. Person take's bottles to exchange and they refuse so customer rent's bottles and sell's his to scrap yard. i have 2 scrap yards saving bottles and some other items for me. 80% of bottles are still in hydro,15% are ok but out of hydro. I pay for the few that can't be refilled rather than cull them back. I don't care to discuss how and what I go about after getting them to my shop.
Support mom and pops in your area to prevent big companies taking over.

 

[plowhog]

it was once setup for a propane gas barbeque grill.

I'd check the batteries in your ouija board ...

The Ouija Board Can't Connect Us to Paranormal Forces—but It Can Tell Us a Lot About Psychology, Grief and Uncertainty

The game was born from Americans' obsession with Spiritualism in the 19th century. Since then, it's functioned as a reflection of their deep-seated beliefs and anxieties for more than a century

www.smithsonianmag.com