LP Pressure is Pressure, or not?

[Deere Dude]

I have a LP and gas generator that I have run off little 20# LP tanks used for grilling with the hose and connection supplied with the generator. It works great.

With storms coming I want to hook it to my 500 gallon tank.

The small tank has no gas regulator and I don't know the pressure. The 500 gallon tank has a regulator by the tank to take the pressure down, and then another regulator on the house to take it to 11" WC I am assuming.

The question is, can I hook it up with a T in the line before the first generator? I am assuming the pressure in the small tank and the large tank should be the same.

Any observations that might help me? It would be nice if I could hook up to the line by the house but then I'm not sure of plumbing changes on the generator.:stormwarning:

 

[davesl708]

I would check with a outdoor yard supply store. I know people who have their grills hooked to their house propane tanks. Should have the adapters and regulators you need.

 

[teejk]

I have a LP and gas generator that I have run off little 20# LP tanks used for grilling with the hose and connection supplied with the generator. It works great.

With storms coming I want to hook it to my 500 gallon tank.

The small tank has no gas regulator and I don't know the pressure. The 500 gallon tank has a regulator by the tank to take the pressure down, and then another regulator on the house to take it to 11" WC I am assuming.

The question is, can I hook it up with a T in the line before the first generator? I am assuming the pressure in the small tank and the large tank should be the same.

Any observations that might help me? It would be nice if I could hook up to the line by the house but then I'm not sure of plumbing changes on the generator.:stormwarning:

I think the regulator nearest the generator should control...BUT...your 20 lb tanks are filled under pressure as is your 500 gal tank. There are a lot of articles out there about charging your small tanks from your large tank...takes awhile I think. And then you have the "leak" issue...a leak draining a 20 lb tank hurts but draining a 500 tank REALLY hurts. I piped LP out to my grill deck and my supplier refused to connect it without elaborate shut-off devices.

 

[Deere Dude]

Coming out of the tank is a pigtail about a foot long that goes to the HP regulator. That 3/8" line may be able to be teed from to a fitting for the generator. Maybe the gas company wouldn't squawk?

Maybe I could hook up where the grill is, but then I would have to replumb the generator and I don't really want to do that because then it won't be as portable.

 

[kenmac]

Well, some propane tanks have the pig tail that come out of the tank then to the regulator.. That 1st regulator could take the pressure from tank pressure to 11-11.5 ''wc.. There are other options though.. The regulator at the tank could also be a 5# regulator.. taking tank pressure down to 5#.. To me, this sounds like what you may have.

It sounds like you may have a 5# regulator at the tank supplying another regulator at the house.. Reducing the 5# down to 11.5'' WC b-4 entering the house

If this is what you have, you could T after the tank regulator anywhere B-4 it gets to the house regulator..You would need to put a gauge on and verify your pressures

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have been looking at a LP conversion kit for my 17.5KW generator. The kits have a regulator that the input is full tank pressure. So: you need to feed your generator from a tee between the tank and the first regulator. I think you need to either peruse your gen owners manual or call them to get the right line sizes based on distance between the gen and the tank. For the one I am considering, I have to have a 3/4" hose.

Ron

 

[grsthegreat]

Alot depends on the size of the generator. Most propane tanks use a primary regulator at the tank and a 2 stage regulator at the house. When i install whole house units i always come off after the house regulator.

Im not sure how many btu's your gen uses, but for example a 22 kw generac uses 330,000 btu of energy. Most bbq regulators only supply 200,000 btus.

I get my regulators from propane supply companies. There all dedicated 2 stage units.

 

[Egon]

As stated the used volume will dictate supply line size and regulator size.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

you should be able to hook up anywhere AFTER the regulator since that controls pressure. We have our gas grill hooked to the main propane tank.

 

[wngsprd]

Interested in what you decide to do. I bought a dual fuel 7000 watt generator today and plan to use only LP. Owners manual says to use only 20 or 30 lb tanks but could see in future wanting to have a bigger tank installed.