Connector type for hooking to natural gas

[Mike1903]

I gave up on DIY and had a company come out to split off the main meter with the shut off so that I can do the rest.

The intended uses are bbq, pizza oven and a portable gen and all can run off a flexible hose. I was thinking of installing a 3/4” to 1/2” reducer and then a 1/2”‘quick disconnect that I can plug the hose in. Any thoughts?

(On a side note, why do most instruction manuals only suggest quick disconnect on the supply side and not on the device? I would think that quick disconnect on both sides will be handy like air compressor hoses.)

thx

 

[The Cobbler]

my grill has a nat gas rated quick connect . when you get into the generator are you sure the supply is large enough?

 

[PoorUB]

How large of generator?

I kind of doubt you can get enough gas through a QD hose to run a generator, unless it is a smaller one.

 

[Mike1903]

my grill has a nat gas rated quick connect . when you get into the generator are you sure the supply is large enough?

The supply is rated at 250k btu.
Gen is firman sold at Costco and rated at 86k BTU at med load and 101kBTU at full load.

(I don’t recall the #s but last time I checked supply was adequate for combined BTUs of gen, furnace and water heater.) means I have to be carful when gas stove is on.

 

[Mike1903]

How large of generator?

I kind of doubt you can get enough gas through a QD hose to run a generator, unless it is a smaller one.

5500w when running off natural gas (7500w off gasoline).

 

[PoorUB]

5500w when running off natural gas (7500w off gasoline).

Did we talk about this already? Or was it someone else?!

Which generator? Brand and model?

 

[Mike1903]

May be…I don’t remember much nowdays…

Tri Fuel 7500W Portable Generator Electric Start 120/240V

The FIRMAN T07571 Tri-Fuel Portable Generator delivers powerful performance with 9400 starting watts and 7500 running watts, and the flexibility to run on gasoline, propane (LPG), or natural gas (NG). Whether you're preparing for a power outage, running tools on a job site, or powering your next...

firmanpowerequipment.com

 

[gmcgeo]

You will need a bigger line then what is there for a 250k btus. generator. remember you will need around 400 - 500k Btu for starting the gen.

 

[PoorUB]

The owners manual says 101 cuft per hour, or just or just over 100,000 BTU, or one therm.
They recommend this hose, Firman hose for the NG connection. I would not get one any longer as it may starve the engine at heavy load. The only other question I have is if the natural gas meter is low pressure or 2 PSI.

 

[rlitman]

..(On a side note, why do most instruction manuals only suggest quick disconnect on the supply side and not on the device? I would think that quick disconnect on both sides will be handy like air compressor hoses.)...

Because while leaving an air hose charged under pressure may result in leaks, air leaks generally don't kill people. The expectation is that the flexible hose will only remain charged while in use.

 

[Mike1903]

The owners manual says 101 cuft per hour, or just or just over 100,000 BTU, or one therm.
They recommend this hose, Firman hose for the NG connection. I would not get one any longer as it may starve the engine at heavy load. The only other question I have is if the natural gas meter is low pressure or 2 PSI.

they also sell a 36’ on their website.

I got 12’ and 24’ from Bezos and will test them out.

what is the recommended sealant for NG connections? The plumbing guy who came was using Tru Blue…

 

[gmcgeo]

they also sell a 36’ on their website.

I got 12’ and 24’ from Bezos and will test them out.

what is the recommended sealant for NG connections? The plumbing guy who came was using Tru Blue…

It will be low pressure, 7" water column coming in

 

[PoorUB]

they also sell a 36’ on their website.

I got 12’ and 24’ from Bezos and will test them out.

what is the recommended sealant for NG connections? The plumbing guy who came was using Tru Blue…

Sure, but the owner's manual recommended that one hose. It is a 1/2" x10 foot hose.
I serviced and install NG generators for years. Most were very particular on having the proper gas supply. Not enough gas, too small, too long of line and nothing but issues.

 

[gmcgeo]

Sure, but the owner's manual recommended that one hose. It is a 1/2" x10 foot hose.
I serviced and install NG generators for years. Most were very particular on having the proper gas supply. Not enough gas, too small, too long of line and nothing but issues.

The newer the gen the worse the parameters are for the gas volume. They have basically EGR valves that regulate and if you go over a certain pressure they blow the internals, its stupid. We had a gen that was not aloud to lock up past 12.5 water Column "propane" but had to run at 12" water column..... it was virtually impossible. if it went over 12.5" then it blew the internals of the egr

 

[Mike1903]

Great suggestions.
Got the quick disconnect setup. Will test the generator tomorrow..
And the cranky gentleman at the big orange handed me a can of Tru Blue when I asked for a sealant recommendation! He wanted to know if I had a permit… so I asked what product would you recommend to connect this 1/2” ****** to this reducers that you sell in your store in the next aisle….

 

[The Cobbler]

well, that close ****** ahead of the valve would not pass here!

 

[PoorUB]

well, that close ****** ahead of the valve would not pass here!

We used them all the time and our inspector was tough! Why no close *******?

 

[The Cobbler]

dunno, not ever been allowed here . nor are street elbows or bushings

 

[PoorUB]

dunno, not ever been allowed here . nor are street elbows or bushings

No street elbows or bushings here too.

 

[Mike1903]

well, that close ****** ahead of the valve would not pass here!

I assume by close ****** you mean the cap at the end in the earlier picture and not the quick disconnect?
I wasn’t sure why they installed the cap other than charging me 5x the price at big box store…
If you are taking about the quick disconnect, how do they set it up in your area?

 

[The Cobbler]

the close ****** is the ****** between the Tee and the valve. there's no shoulder on it.

 

[Mike1903]

the close ****** is the ****** between the Tee and the valve. there's no shoulder on it.

Sounds like a tee that acts as a condensation drain at the shut off valve?

It is required here at the appliances as both the water heater and the furnace have it. I asked the installer about installing at the meter and he said not needed because it is not a high moisture area.

 

[sixty4]

NO he is talking about the ****** from the tee to the valve in your second picture . I guess other places have other codes. Here in CT that would not be an issue (to use a close ******), although if meter ever was updated that valve looks very close. Yes I see it turns toward your quick connect but valve handle still looks very close to me. If it were me I would of bought a precut ****** about a foot or longer and reduced only once to your 1/2" quick connector with a coupling. Just double check the manual I believe it should tell you 3' from meter min (actual generator).

 

[Sumboodie]

Did we talk about this already? Or was it someone else?!

Which generator? Brand and model?

Yes, I was talking about it last week.

 

[Mike1903]

NO he is talking about the ****** from the tee to the valve in your second picture . I guess other places have other codes. Here in CT that would not be an issue (to use a close ******), although if meter ever was updated that valve looks very close. Yes I see it turns toward your quick connect but valve handle still looks very close to me. If it were me I would of bought a precut ****** about a foot or longer and reduced only once to your 1/2" quick connector with a coupling. Just double check the manual I believe it should tell you 3' from meter min (actual generator).

Thx for clarifying…didn’t know that term. I don’t even know how they installed it using pipe wrenches…

I was looking for a coupling to go from 1” to 1/2” but didn’t see it as the big box store… half the bins were empty because of supply chain challenges per the associate…

 

[D45]

You will need a bigger line then what is there for a 250k btus. generator. remember you will need around 400 - 500k Btu for starting the gen.

I run a hot water heater, stove, dryer, furnace, garage heater and a BBQ grill off my 250k NG meter

Never had an issue

 

[gmcgeo]

I run a hot water heater, stove, dryer, furnace, garage heater and a BBQ grill off my 250k NG meter

Never had an issue

Thats great, im talking about a generator