[Shop-talk] Propane generator

[Donald H Locker]

The connection should be between the propane storage tank and the house
regulator so it get tank pressure.

Donald.
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On 2020-09-11 5:50 p.m., Jim Stone 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” W.C.
>   * There don’t appear to be any supplemental regulators on the furnace
>     or water heater.  I looked up the water heater and it specifies a
>     supply pressure of 9.5-13.0′′.
>   * The owner’s manual specifications for the generator don’t specify
>     the inlet pressure and the regulator that came with the generator
>     doesn’t specify it's pressure.  However, a little research on the
>     model (Ningbo Wanan RA328) indicates an outlet pressure of 11”.
> 
> 
> So, while I will want to confirm this with the generator’s manufacturer,
> 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 at mcfetridge.org
>> <mailto:shop-talk2 at 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 before 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 at gmail.com
>> <mailto:1789alpine at 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-Powered-Portable-Generator-with-Clean-Burning-LPG-and-RV-Outlet-GEN4000LP/202222977).
>>     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 tank.  However, we use propane for our heat, cooking
>>     and 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.  
>>
>>     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=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
>>     and purchased an adaptor for the supply line that came with the
>>     generator.  The supply line appears to be a standard connector
>>     like you would have for a gas grill.  Here is the adaptor I
>>     used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E33GEM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
>>
>>     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’t put out enough
>>     voltage to even consistently light an LED bulb.  I then connected
>>     it to a 20lb LP tank 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’t the case.  I checked the house
>>     supply to make sure there wasn’t a shutoff in line that was
>>     partially closed, but it just runs straight off the main supply
>>     and the only shutoff on that line is outside.  I have an
>>     unregulated supply line that I can use, but didn’t want to do that
>>     without some confirmation that “house" pressure would likely be
>>     correct for this application.
>>
>>     Thanks,
>>     Jim