Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Nov 29, 2006 08:58pm | #1

   I haven't used LP in a while.

   But I'm thinking the last house I lived in that was heated by LP there was a regulator at the tank dropping it down to 15 PSI before it came to the house.

   Look, if you don't like my parties, you can leave in a huff.
   If that's too soon, leave in a minute and a huff.
   If you can't find that, you can leave in a taxi.
1. 
   WorkshopJon | Nov 29, 2006 09:21pm | #2

   Ron,

   How's it going?  I know we haven't chatted in a while.

   My question pertained more to tank PSI, as I'm planning on using hose clamps with rated rubber hose and barbed fittings at the tank prior to the regulator(s).

   Jon

1. 
   BossHog | Nov 29, 2006 09:29pm | #3

   Hey Jon - How's life treatin' ya?I'm thinking the pressure gauge in the tank we had went up to 100 PSI. But I don't remember what the actual pressure generally was.Hopefuly someone else will poke their nose in who knows more than I do.The stuff is so danged expensive I sure wouldn't take any chances with leaks.
   Did you hear about the bonde who put lipstick on her forehead?
   she wanted to prove she could make up her mind...

2. 
   RobWes | Nov 29, 2006 09:33pm | #4

   You might want to rethink that.

    

   Why are you against flare nut fittings and copper tubing?

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Nov 29, 2006 09:46pm | #7

   "Why are you against flare nut fittings and copper tubing?"

   Rob,

   I'm not against them at all, but the tanks take a specialty left hand thread fitting.  'happened to have a brand new regulator for a grill, and a mating fitting for the tank, but in order to use, had to splice.

   If it's only 100PSI, not a problem.  If 1,000 PSI it could be.

   WSJ

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Nov 29, 2006 10:09pm | #9

   I would recommend against using the clamps/ barbed fitting. Tank pressure varies but is way more than after the regulator. You may try an outdoor store that carries propane camping gear , I own an factory made unit that has a 12' hose AFTER the regulator fitting.
   Be the pits to have the connection leak and spew tank pressure propane into the garage.

2. 
   WorkshopJon | Nov 30, 2006 07:40pm | #18

   "I would recommend against using the clamps/ barbed fitting."

   DT,

   Thanks for your reply.  Not to be a smart a$$, but all "factory" crimped fittings to rubber hose are barbed.

   WSJ

3. 
   dovetail97128 | Nov 30, 2006 08:31pm | #21

   No Problem with what you stated, they do use barbed fittings and factory applied crimp rings.
   I do not remember ever seeing one between the tank and the regulator however, my own limited experience is that all the rubber hoses come after the tank pressure has been regulated. The only exception to this that I remember seeing is the "filler" hoses used to charge smaller tanks off a large tank.
   I may be misunderstanding what you are looking at doing but my understanding was that you wanted to splice between the tank and the regulator, and I still wouldn't recommend doing that.
   A check with your licensed propane dealer and installer just might be worth the price of a phone call.
   As my Father used to say .. " I don't need to know all the answers, I just need to know where to go to find them"

   Edited 11/30/2006 1:04 pm ET by dovetail97128

4. 
   BillHartmann | Nov 29, 2006 10:16pm | #10

   If I am not mistaken the local Ace Hardware store has LP fittings. Not sure, but I see a number of strange items and think that some of them are for LP.If not try an LP distributor and Yard and Patio store.

5. 
   Luka | Nov 29, 2006 10:17pm | #11

   Jon,Read the tank.The tank has to hold up to nearly 300 lbs of pressure.Find some way to make a solid pipe connection between those...
   Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06

6. 
   highfigh | Nov 29, 2006 10:22pm | #12

   IIRC, your shop is in Butler, right? Go to Blair's True Value and see what they have. Otherwise, call Northern Industries on Hwy 100, near I-94. The rubber hose and barbs doesn't sound like a good idea to me, either. There was a house about 1/2 mile from where I grew up and it had a gas leak one night. Notice I said that there WAS a house. Completely gone. Made our house rumble, too.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

3. 
   gdcarpenter | Nov 29, 2006 09:36pm | #5

   I believe propane tanks can go from 100 psi to a lot higher pressure when they heat up. As I understand it only flared fittings and solid metal lines should be used.Let's not confuse the issue with facts!

1. 
   DickRussell | Nov 29, 2006 10:02pm | #8

   As close as I can read the chart, the vapor pressure of pure propane is 37 psia at 0 degrees F, 90 at 50 F, 185 at 100 F. Subtract 14.7 for psig.

2. 
   booch | Nov 29, 2006 09:38pm | #6

   Regulators for LP on a Barbecue grill regulate between 1 and 3 PSI. The last one I bought at Walmart was a 2PSI unit. Check the regulator it should be stamped on the housing.

   The tank itself is a pretty high pressure vessel. Not positive on the pressure but I think it is about 3-5 atmospheres (you really don't want to pipe gas at this pressure)

   Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
1. 
   WorkshopJon | Dec 01, 2006 12:20am | #23

   Hi Mike,

   (had to post to someone and also haven't chatted with you in a while).

   All,

    My detached building is hard plumbed from the heaters to the outside.  My only concern was if a hose clamp was sufficient  on the high pressure side (outside) of the system.  I've attached 2 pics so you all can see what I'm doing.  BTW, system works great.  90,000 BTU's. for 1,000sq/ft.

   
1. 
   booch | Dec 01, 2006 01:24am | #24

   That looks fine in my book. The pressure is insignificant in the rubber after the regulator if it leaks there it won't be as exciting a leak. Had you hard plumbed it the continual bending of soft copper would mess up the flaired fittings if the pipe wouldn't break.

   Now the only place it would leak is on the outside of the building. I think all had their knickers in a twist thinking you were hooking up the old kitchen stove in the back of the econo-line van to live out the winter.

   Remember when your eyes sting it is time to open the door for fresh air.

   What kind of wall heater did you get? A F&F special?

   Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

   Edited 11/30/2006 5:27 pm by booch

3. 
   dovetail97128 | Nov 29, 2006 11:31pm | #13

   One other important item. Outdoor LP appliances (barbeques, lights, grills, camp stoves etc) do not use the same pressure to operate as do those intended for inside the dwelling. Mis matching the regulator to the piece of equipment can cause serious consequences (Read Explosive). Best read what the data plate on the unit you intend to use lists as it's operating pressure and make sure the regulator you are attempting to use matches it.
   I would still hard pipe it if it were my garage.

4. 
   Sphere | Nov 30, 2006 12:22am | #14

   Hey Jon, long time eh?

   Hard pipe it..really. I don't know for sure what PSI, but why gamble?

   I have a Rinnai wall heater that I CAN theoretically hook to a small tank with the proper hoses..but I won't.

   I'd never dream of a barb and clamp in a million years.

   I use blue goop on threaded connections as well..I have no idea what it is, but I got it from a gas guy..don't f**k w/ propane..please?

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Nov 30, 2006 07:50pm | #19

   "Hard pipe it..really."

   Hi Duane,

   The entire building is hard piped (copper) and silver soldered.  What I was referring to was the external connection between the 100# cylinder and the fitting to the building.

   20# gas grill cylinders take a different fitting than 100#er's, so I had to cut the hose on the high pressure side and splice in the correct fitting, and use a hose clamp.  I had concerns about it holding.

   Jon

1. 
   jackplane | Nov 30, 2006 08:10pm | #20

   You seem determined to install an LP system in your garage, probably next to your house.

   I must advise against- 17 years ago in California I lost my home because of a propane explosion, no one died but all possessions burned to a crisp. The tank developed a small leak and my housemate left the fireplace closed but burning when he left.

   I'm sure it can be installed safely, but if you have any doubts, I'd call a specialist. 

5. 
   junkhound | Nov 30, 2006 12:42am | #15

   LP heating system in my garage

   I have a lot of propane 'appliances' that use hose clamps and 300 psi rated air hoses right out of the propane tank. 

   Of course, those are temporary use items such as weed burners, forge heaters, tar pot, and 16 oz recharge fittings (a few other threads on THAT subject) and nowhere near the house.

   However for     LP heating system in my garage      Go heavy duty, as everybody else has advised.  If you absolutely need to use hose, I've used swaged 3000 psi hydraulic hoses and SAE fittings in similar situations.  If it is a detached garage and your cars are low value 1980's and earlier but not classics , then what the heck, go for the barbed fittings.

   Here too a house burnt down about 12 years ago due to a bad connection at a gas grill with inferior hose.

   DW's neighbor's house exploded due to NG leak when she was a kid, needless to say we do not have anything in the house that is NG or propane, not even paint thinner is stored in the house  (the barn and sheds are a different story <G>)  

    

6. 
   G Hepplewhite | Nov 30, 2006 01:02am | #16

   WorkshopJon,

   Here is a link that will tell you most everything that you need to know about LP. As everyone else has pointed out you really do want to hardpipe it.

   http://regoproducts.com/PDFs/LP-Gas_Servicemans_Manual.pdf

   Good luck,

   Tom

7. 
   IdahoDon | Nov 30, 2006 07:54am | #17

   Bad idea to have high pressure propane inside.

    

   Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

8. 
   McPlumb | Nov 30, 2006 10:57pm | #22

   If you are real serious about using hose and clamps, I would like to volunter my serveses as a benifficeary.