Natural Gas Powered Generator

[Farwell]

Joe,
I get my 30 pound tanks filled at an Amish country store at a very reasonable price, I will talk to them next time I get my tanks filled. They do sell several larger tanks but not sure how many pounds they hold.
Thanks for the idea. When I was a kid on the farm we used two propane cylinders that were about 18 inches around and a little over 4 feet tall to heat our stove and hot water. We had an auger fed coal burning hot water furnace for heat.
We had a power outage last weekend on one of the first real Winter like storms. Strong winds and snow with a temperature in the high 20's. We are on a well and natural gas forced air heat, it gets a little scary when you have no heat or water and no idea when the power will come back on. I have never lost natural gas but know that there is always a first time and that it will happen at the most inconvenient time.
Farwell

 

[XmasTreeGrower]

David
I have read in several spots that the smaller cylinders will not work correctly on a larger generator. Something to do with the high flow rates freezing up the regulators and valves typically fitted to these tanks.

I am in the process of doing the same as you. I have a 15K commercial Onan that I am going to feed off my 300 gallon propane tank that is used for my furnace. The propane companies in our area do not charge rental fees if you use X amount per year. Can't remember the exact amount but it is pretty low. Could you convert your water heater to qualify for free usage?

Just food for thought!

Thanks
Bill

 

[VA_Joe]

That's correct - the larger the generator/furnace - the more surface area you need at the top of the tank for the liquid to boil off into gas. Check out this link:

http://www.flameengineering.com/Propane_Info.html

It has the vaporization rate/available BTU capacity for a 100 pound cylinder across temperature (great link/good company to do business with). A 30 pound tank will do far worse.

Joe

 

[VA_Joe]

BTW - the tanks you describe sound like either 100 pound or 50 gallon (approx. 200 pound) tanks.

 

[ronjhall]

One of the reasons that you never lost natural gas is the pumps are run by natural gas. I guess it could be lost if someone cut the main supply line to the area. But then I would probably still have electricity. There is a natural gas pumping station a little over a mile from my home. Would never known it was there except it blew up a few years ago when something went wrong with one of the compressors. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[VA_Joe]

Makes good sense - even a short natural gas outage can have deadly consequences - especially during a cold Northeast winter.

 

[Farwell]

Bill,
Thanks for the tank information that was something that I had no idea about. Don't think I would switch anything else to propane because so far this year it cost about three times the amount that natural gas costs in my area. I am really getting educated and with the information I now have I think that I will be better off sticking with natural gas.
The information that the natural gas pumps are powered by natural gas instead of electricity also helps my decision.
It will be after the first of the year before I start this project but will post a few photos when I do.
I am always amazed at how much I learn from the folks on TBN. Thanks a whole bunch.
Farwell

 

[Egon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( natural gas pumps are powered by natural gas instead of electricity also helps my decision.
)</font>

Natural gas compressor stations may use natural gas as fuel for the primemovers but many of the ancillary systems involved may require electricity.

Air systems, positioners, valve actuators, control systems, air fans, cooling systems and such usually like electrical power.

Egon

 

[Farwell]

Egon,
The utility companies got us coming and going. If I ever end up without natural gas I will change the generator to propane and wait for the next problem. I have the makings for a double barrel stove, lots of trees and furniture if I get desperate. Not sure what I will do for water.
Thanks for the info.
Farwell

 

[GaryM]

I have the 15KW 3600RPM Generac unit. Runs on propane. I bought it from the Electric Generator Store. Had it deliverd to the door in four days.

Yes, noisier than an 1800RPM unit but I didn't have the extra money available.