[Shop-talk] Propane generator

[Donald H Locker]

I should rephrase that. There can be multiple regulators, but each has
to have enough pressure and flow capability from the upstage regulators
that it can supply sufficient flow at its design output pressure.

Maybe I should stop yammering. It's early and I don't want to get into a
treatise on regulation systems before I've finished my coffee, but I
also don't want to leave this with such a blatantly incorrect statement
("one and only one regulator" is not really true; two-stage regulators
are actually two regulators in series, for example.)

In any case, I'll shut up for now.
Donald.
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On 2020-09-12 6:25 a.m., Donald H Locker wrote:
> You are absolutely correct. The needs to be one regulator, and one only.
> 
> It looks from this like your generator requires propane at 11" so your
> house regulator should be appropriate, but you'll also need a large
> enough pipe to carry the fuel.
> 
> Now I'm not sure what the problem might be (which is why I mention the
> size of the pipe.) A five foot long, small diametre hose won't restrict
> the flow much, but if your generator is far from the tapping point, or
> if there are restrictions (from connectors, elbows, ...) your generator
> may be starved for fuel from one of those causes.
> 
> Hope this helps; beyond this, I'm out of my depth.
> Donald.
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> On 2020-09-11 8:07 p.m., Jim Stone wrote:
>> Thanks, Donald.  But I don’t think my generator has its own regulator,
>> since it came with a regulator in the supply line.  Here is a link to
>> that
>> line: https://www.buffalocorpstore.com/product/sportsman-series-5-foot-lp-regulator-hose-for-lp-generators/.
>> That is the one I researched and it appears to supply 11”, so right in
>> the center of my house’s regulated pressure.
>>
>> Or am I missing something?  It wouldn’t be the first time.
>>
>>> On Sep 11, 2020, at 8:00 PM, Donald H Locker <dhlocker at comcast.net
>>> <mailto:dhlocker at comcast.net>> wrote:
>>>
>>> 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>
>>>>> <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>
>>>>> <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
>>