shop-talk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [Shop-talk] Propane generator

To: Jim Stone <1789alpine@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Propane generator
From: Jeff Scarbrough <fishplate@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2020 20:58:39 -0400
Cc: Shop Talk <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: shop-talk@autox.team.net
References: <671E6B12-6B79-4951-8383-DEDFE4CBAFF7@gmail.com> <CAFnfnRVAcnL_u_asNGq2zw2xeF73mKhiMjbSjwskuL2fJgc9gw@mail.gmail.com> <732D9E4B-17A5-4040-BE85-39AB18C4FC12@gmail.com>
--===============5586201428910486582==

--000000000000e5d33705af134d36
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

A few random thoughts:

1.  You ought to be able to measure the gas pressure with your random
plumbing fittings and some clear plastic tubing (WARNING! Explosion
Hazard!  Be smart!)

2.  Do you have the volume available to supply everything at once?  (Might
be able to be detected along with #1)

On Fri, Sep 11, 2020 at 5:52 PM Jim Stone <1789alpine@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks, guys.  This is all really helpful and I think I understand
> everything.  I just did a little more research and have learned that:
>
>
>    - Our house pressure regulator is listed as having an SPG Range of
>    9-13=E2=80=9D W.C.
>    - There don=E2=80=99t appear to be any supplemental regulators on the =
furnace
>    or water heater.  I looked up the water heater and it specifies a supp=
ly
>    pressure of 9.5-13.0=E2=80=B2=E2=80=B2.
>    - The owner=E2=80=99s manual specifications for the generator don=E2=
=80=99t specify
>    the inlet pressure and the regulator that came with the generator does=
n=E2=80=99t
>    specify it's pressure.  However, a little research on the model (Ningb=
o
>    Wanan RA328) indicates an outlet pressure of 11=E2=80=9D.
>
>
> So, while I will want to confirm this with the generator=E2=80=99s manufa=
cturer,
> it would seem that I was over-regulated but also that a direct connection
> to the house should be about right for the generator.
>
> Correct?
>
> Jim
>
> On Sep 11, 2020, at 5:25 PM, Ian McFetridge <shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org>
> wrote:
>
> As you say, I think you are over regulating the supply.  We have propane
> heat and when our standby generator was installed they measured the
> pressure and said it was too low and that they would have to cut in befor=
e
> the regulator to get enough pressure to the generator.  So, we have two
> lines with different regulators.
>
> Best,
> Ian
>
> On Fri, Sep 11, 2020 at 4:51 PM Jim Stone <1789alpine@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I have a propane generator that I purchased 3 or 4 years ago for
>> emergency use.  (
>> https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-4-000-3-250-Watt-Propane-Gas-Power=
ed-Portable-Generator-with-Clean-Burning-LPG-and-RV-Outlet-GEN4000LP/202222=
977).
>> I have never had to use it, but run it every year or so just to be sure =
it
>> is there when I need it.  Up until today, I ran it off of a portable tan=
k.
>> However, we use propane for our heat, cooking and hot water and have a 5=
00
>> gallon in-ground tank, so being able to run off of that would be far
>> better, especially in an extended outage.
>>
>> We had the house rebuilt last year and I had the plumber stub out a line
>> on the side of the house.   I attached a quick release connecter to the
>> house line (
>> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HSYWD3/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_titl=
e_o02_s00?ie=3DUTF8&psc=3D1)
>> and purchased an adaptor for the supply line that came with the generato=
r.
>> The supply line appears to be a standard connector like you would have f=
or
>> a gas grill.  Here is the adaptor I used:
>> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E33GEM/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_titl=
e_o07_s00?ie=3DUTF8&psc=3D1
>>
>> There were also a few assorted bushings and adaptors needed to make
>> everything fit, but I am confident they are all done correctly and I
>> checked everything for leaks before starting up the generator.
>>
>> The generator ran very sluggishly and didn=E2=80=99t put out enough volt=
age to
>> even consistently light an LED bulb.  I then connected it to a 20lb LP t=
ank
>> and everything worked perfectly.  I even ran the refrigerator for about =
an
>> hour with no problems.
>>
>> There is a regulator on the supply line to the house, so I suspect I am
>> over-regulating the supply.  Still, I assumed that a regulator would put
>> out a constant pressure regardless of what went in, but maybe that isn=
=E2=80=99t
>> the case.  I checked the house supply to make sure there wasn=E2=80=99t =
a shutoff
>> in line that was partially closed, but it just runs straight off the mai=
n
>> supply and the only shutoff on that line is outside.  I have an unregula=
ted
>> supply line that I can use, but didn=E2=80=99t want to do that without s=
ome
>> confirmation that =E2=80=9Chouse" pressure would likely be correct for t=
his
>> application.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Jim
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> Shop-talk@autox.team.net
>> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
>> Suggested annual donation  $12.96
>> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk
>> http://autox.team.net/archive
>>
>> Unsubscribe/Manage:
>> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/shop-talk2@mcfetridge.or=
g
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.96
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk
> http://autox.team.net/archive
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/fishplate@gmail.com
>
>

--000000000000e5d33705af134d36
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr">A few random thoughts:<div><br></div><div>1.=C2=A0 You oug=
ht to be able to measure the gas pressure with your random plumbing fitting=
s and some clear plastic tubing (WARNING! Explosion Hazard!=C2=A0 Be smart!=
)</div><div><br></div><div>2.=C2=A0 Do you have the volume available to sup=
ply everything at once?=C2=A0 (Might be able to be detected along with #1)<=
/div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_a=
ttr">On Fri, Sep 11, 2020 at 5:52 PM Jim Stone &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:1789al=
pine@gmail.com">1789alpine@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote cl=
ass=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid=
 rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div style=3D"overflow-wrap: break-word=
;">Thanks, guys.=C2=A0 This is all really helpful and I think I understand =
everything.=C2=A0 I just did a little more research and have learned that:<=
div><br></div><div><ul><li>Our house pressure regulator is listed as having=
 an SPG Range of 9-13=E2=80=9D W.C.</li><li>There don=E2=80=99t appear to b=
e any supplemental regulators on the furnace or water heater.=C2=A0 I looke=
d up the water heater and it specifies a supply pressure of=C2=A09.5-13.0=
=E2=80=B2=E2=80=B2.</li><li>The owner=E2=80=99s manual specifications for t=
he generator don=E2=80=99t specify the inlet pressure and the regulator tha=
t came with the generator doesn=E2=80=99t specify it&#39;s pressure.=C2=A0 =
However, a little research on the model (Ningbo Wanan RA328) indicates an o=
utlet pressure of=C2=A011=E2=80=9D.</li></ul><div><br></div><div>So, while =
I will want to confirm this with the generator=E2=80=99s manufacturer, it w=
ould seem that I was over-regulated but also that a direct connection to th=
e house should be about right for the generator.</div><div><br></div><div>C=
orrect?</div><div><br></div><div>Jim</div><div><br><blockquote type=3D"cite=
"><div>On Sep 11, 2020, at 5:25 PM, Ian McFetridge &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:sh=
op-talk2@mcfetridge.org" target=3D"_blank">shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org</a>&gt=
; wrote:</div><br><div><div dir=3D"ltr">As you say, I think you are over re=
gulating the supply.=C2=A0 We have propane heat and when our=C2=A0standby g=
enerator was installed they measured the pressure and said it was too low a=
nd that they would have to cut in before the regulator to get enough pressu=
re=C2=A0to the generator.=C2=A0 So, we have two lines with different regula=
tors.=C2=A0=C2=A0<div><br></div><div>Best,</div><div>Ian</div></div><br><di=
v class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Fri, Sep 1=
1, 2020 at 4:51 PM Jim Stone &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:1789alpine@gmail.com"; ta=
rget=3D"_blank">1789alpine@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote cl=
ass=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid=
 rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div>I have a propane generator that I =
purchased 3 or 4 years ago for emergency use. =C2=A0(<a href=3D"https://www=
.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-4-000-3-250-Watt-Propane-Gas-Powered-Portable-Ge=
nerator-with-Clean-Burning-LPG-and-RV-Outlet-GEN4000LP/202222977" target=3D=
"_blank">https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-4-000-3-250-Watt-Propane-Gas=
-Powered-Portable-Generator-with-Clean-Burning-LPG-and-RV-Outlet-GEN4000LP/=
202222977</a>). I have never had to use it, but run it every year or so jus=
t to be sure it is there when I need it.=C2=A0 Up until today, I ran it off=
 of a portable tank.=C2=A0 However, we use propane for our heat, cooking an=
d hot water and have a 500 gallon in-ground tank, so being able to run off =
of that would be far better, especially in an extended outage. =C2=A0<div><=
br></div><div>We had the house rebuilt last year and I had the plumber stub=
 out a line on the side of the house. =C2=A0 I attached a quick release con=
necter to the house line (<a href=3D"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071=
HSYWD3/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=3DUTF8&amp;psc=3D1" target=
=3D"_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HSYWD3/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_=
asin_title_o02_s00?ie=3DUTF8&amp;psc=3D1</a>) and purchased an adaptor for =
the supply line that came with the generator.=C2=A0 The supply line appears=
 to be a standard connector like you would have for a gas grill.=C2=A0 Here=
 is the adaptor I used:=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B=
008E33GEM/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=3DUTF8&amp;psc=3D1" targe=
t=3D"_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E33GEM/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b=
_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=3DUTF8&amp;psc=3D1</a><div><br></div><div><div>There=
 were also a few assorted bushings and adaptors needed to make everything f=
it, but I am confident they are all done correctly and I checked everything=
 for leaks before starting up the generator.</div><div><br></div><div>The g=
enerator ran very sluggishly and didn=E2=80=99t put out enough voltage to e=
ven consistently light an LED bulb.=C2=A0 I then connected it to a 20lb LP =
tank and everything worked perfectly.=C2=A0 I even ran the refrigerator for=
 about an hour with no problems.</div></div><div><br></div><div>There is a =
regulator on the supply line to the house, so I suspect I am over-regulatin=
g the supply.=C2=A0 Still, I assumed that a regulator would put out a const=
ant pressure regardless of what went in, but maybe that isn=E2=80=99t the c=
ase.=C2=A0 I checked the house supply to make sure there wasn=E2=80=99t a s=
hutoff in line that was partially closed, but it just runs straight off the=
 main supply and the only shutoff on that line is outside.=C2=A0 I have an =
unregulated supply line that I can use, but didn=E2=80=99t want to do that =
without some confirmation that =E2=80=9Chouse&quot; pressure would likely b=
e correct for this application.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks,</div><div>=
Jim</div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:Shop-talk@autox.team.net"; target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk"; rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=
=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive"; rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
alk/shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://=
autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>
</div></blockquote></div><br></div></div>__________________________________=
_____________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:Shop-talk@autox.team.net"; target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk"; rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=
=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive"; rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
alk/fishplate@gmail.com" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.=
team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/fishplate@gmail.com</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>

--000000000000e5d33705af134d36--

--===============5586201428910486582==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

_______________________________________________

Shop-talk@autox.team.net
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive



--===============5586201428910486582==--

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>