50k Big Maxx Propane Hookup Question...

[Gerry347]

This might be a dumb question but I'll ask it anyway....

When connecting the gas line to the propane tank outside do you just hook it up directly to the tank or is there another regulator that goes between the tank and the line and before the heater's built in regulator??

I'm not ready for this part of the install yet but I wasn't sure how exactly the line connects to the outside tank. I'll be using a 100 lbs tank or one of the 420 tanks.

Also, the guy at Home Depot suggested I use 4" exhaust piping instead of 3" to help scavenge the exhaust gases out of the heater. The manual calls for 3" on the 50k heater but he insisted I'm better off using the 4".

Thanks,
Gerry

 

[D45]

Is it power vented? 3" is good up to 80k

 

[Bretny]

It sounds like you should hire someone to do the gas line. Hang it and do the chimney your self.

 

[Krzewinskibe]

Needs to be regulated down to operating pressure (probably 11in WC)

 

[ripperd]

I would follow manufacturer's instructions for venting size.

 

[gungatim]

the instructions detail what you need to do. obviously you'll need a regulator to get the recommended input pressures.

RTFM. if you don't understand hire it out.
http://www.mrheater.com/downloads/dl/file/id/854/fuel_conversion_kit_installation_manual.pdf

 

[Showkey]

Many propane tank ( large) rental contracts have very specific rules on who can make connections.

 

[Gerry347]

I guess I should have added that I don't plan on doing the gas connections myself because that something I don't feel comfortable doing (I'd rather not blow myself up). I'm just running the lines myself and will leave the connection part to the propane supplier.

I asked more for clarification because I know there's a regulator on the tank itself but I wasn't sure about the shop side. I've seen some people with a single regulator on the tank while others have two regulators (tank & house).

As for the exhaust.... I'll just stick to what the manufacturer says to use.

Thanks,
Gerry

 

[mrtbolt64]

The propane company has a two stage regulator that they will supply. 1st stage knocks the pressure down to around 10lbs and the second stage down to around 1/2lb.

If your using 3/4 inch black pipe install a T toward the bottom with a dirt drop and the propane company will tap into that using 1/2 copper line. I just went through all this about a month ago.

Not sure where your exact location of North East ohio is but I used Lindens Propane. They installed a 420 tank and the charge for tank and hook up was 259. and that included a filled tank. I am using a radiant floor heat with tankless water heater and after about 5 weeks I need to fill the tank again. I think the propane price was 2.40 a gallon

 

[gungatim]

I guess I should have added that I don't plan on doing the gas connections myself because that something I don't feel comfortable doing (I'd rather not blow myself up). I'm just running the lines myself and will leave the connection part to the propane supplier.

I asked more for clarification because I know there's a regulator on the tank itself but I wasn't sure about the shop side. I've seen some people with a single regulator on the tank while others have two regulators (tank & house).

As for the exhaust.... I'll just stick to what the manufacturer says to use.

Thanks,
Gerry

if you read the manual, you'll see the inlet pressure from the tank, and how to adjust the pressure with a manometer on the shop side of the unit.

as others said, large whole house tanks use a 2 stage setup, so it can deliver enough flow for everything from the tank and get reduced to working pressure at the house, then further fine tuned at each appliance. size of your tank and distance to the heater will dictate if you really need a 2-stage setup or not.

 

[Gerry347]

Thanks for the explanation.....

I'm planning to use 1/2" black pipe with a 4" drip leg at the heater and at the bottom of the wall before the pipe exits the building. I'm not sure I need both drip legs but I figured it can't hurt to have 2 of them. The total black pipe run is approx 9' (8" through the wall, 6' up the wall and then 2' to the heater.

I've already done the NG to propane conversion and I've read the manual in regards to the adjusting the inlet pressure but I'm a little fuzzy on how to use a manometer so I think I'll have a HVAC company do the first start up and set the inlet psi for me. That way I know I didn't mess it up.

I hope to have things up and running after the holidays.