Convert this old thing to propane?

[Conrad]

Hey y'all, my neighbor gifted me (offloaded) this big *** forced air natural gas heater, I think it would work great in my shop, (1000sq ft, 15' ceilings, cold climate) but the problem is it runs on natural gas which I don't have on the property. I'd like to convert to propane but I haven't found a proper kit for it. I've looked here but didn't find the model number in the list and google doesn't return much.

Curious if anyone has experience converting a unit like this and can share some guidance, I'm also at high altitude, ~ 8700'. I'll give Sterling a call when I have a minute this week but its an old unit and it's from Canada so not sure they'll have anything. I don't have a great picture of it, but here's the manuf. sticker.

Much appreciated

 

[American Locomotive]

154,000 BTU is way, way too big for 1000 sq ft.

 

[Conrad]

154,000 BTU is way, way too big for 1000 sq ft.

Damn, dangerous or overkill?

 

[The Cobbler]

not dangerous, but it won't give good results . you will have massive overswings in temperatures , it won't be at all efficient.

to convert it you will probably need a new gas valve and for sure properly sized orifices.
better off getting something else, IMO

 

[American Locomotive]

Basically, it will heat all the air up in the shop very fast, then turn off. Everything in the shop will still be cold. The air will then cool down very quickly. Then it will turn back on. And this will continue over and over. Additionally, whenever it turns on, you'll likely just feel a big wave of heat, which will probably get uncomfortable once the shop is near or at your set temperature.

Finally, at only 77% efficient coupled with the short cycling, it's going to be a gas hog. Most garage type heaters are around 83-85% efficient

 

[gmcgeo]

Sterling TF & XF Gas Heater Conversion Kits - Propane & Natural Gas

Shop Sterling TF, GF, & XF Heater Conversion Kits, an excellent choice for heating. Quality, durability, and value combined.

www.acfgreenhouses.com

This should be the full kit to put in. including the spring for the gas valve to convert to lp. You will need a manometer to adjust manifold pressure.

This is used for all the TF models but i am pretty sure it can be used on the CF models too

 

[fitter30]

Probably need a lp gas valve. Lp runs at 11" natural runs at 3.5". How many burners are there?

 

[PoorUB]

154,000 BTU is way, way too big for 1000 sq ft.

Damn, dangerous or overkill?

Stupid levels of over kill! Like 3 or 4 times. It would be like 1,200 or 1,500 HP in your daily driver.

Assuming a decently insulated shop, even with the 15 foot ceilings I would put in a 50,000 maybe a 75,000 BTU at the absolute top.

Newer building or some old shack?

 

[mike93lx]

Stupid levels of over kill! Like 3 or 4 times. It would be like 1,200 or 1,500 HP in your daily driver.

So awesome.

Got it

 

[gmcgeo]

Stupid levels of over kill! Like 3 or 4 times. It would be like 1,200 or 1,500 HP in your daily driver.

Assuming a decently insulated shop, even with the 15 foot ceilings I would put in a 50,000 maybe a 75,000 BTU at the absolute top.

Newer building or some old shack?

I love a good 1500hp daily

 

[jblnut]

It would be like 1,200 or 1,500 HP in your daily driver.

Although the analogy is a solid one I can't help but think it's lost on the bunch of Tim Allen grunting members reading it .....

In my old shop (24x24) I briefly had a free 100,000btu heater and it was dumb for all the reasons mentioned already. I replaced it with a 45,000btu heater and it was a ton better !!

 

[mike93lx]

Although the analogy is a solid one I can't help but think it's lost on the bunch of Tim Allen grunting members reading it .....

In my old shop (24x24) I briefly had a free 100,000btu heater and it was dumb for all the reasons mentioned already. I replaced it with a 45,000btu heater and it was a ton better !!

That's actually 4 and a half tons better!

I'll be here all week

 

[Conrad]

That's actually 4 and a half tons better!

I'll be here all week

LOL

Basically, it will heat all the air up in the shop very fast, then turn off. Everything in the shop will still be cold. The air will then cool down very quickly. Then it will turn back on. And this will continue over and over. Additionally, whenever it turns on, you'll likely just feel a big wave of heat, which will probably get uncomfortable once the shop is near or at your set temperature.

Finally, at only 77% efficient coupled with the short cycling, it's going to be a gas hog. Most garage type heaters are around 83-85% efficient

Gotcha, thanks for the explanation.

Sterling TF & XF Gas Heater Conversion Kits - Propane & Natural Gas

Shop Sterling TF, GF, & XF Heater Conversion Kits, an excellent choice for heating. Quality, durability, and value combined.

www.acfgreenhouses.com

This should be the full kit to put in. including the spring for the gas valve to convert to lp. You will need a manometer to adjust manifold pressure.

This is used for all the TF models but i am pretty sure it can be used on the CF models too

Appreciate the link.

Alright so it seems like I accepted someone else's junk No big deal maybe I can offload it via FB for a few bucks.

Thanks for the info and the laughs y'all

 

[fang123]

Get one of these. Quiet. Can run on kero, heating oil, or diesel. I run on road diesel in mine. Or heating oil. Kero is too expensive .

 

[Firebrick43]

Get one of these. Quiet. Can run on kero, heating oil, or diesel. I run on road diesel in mine. Or heating oil. Kero is too expensive .

unless you want to paint stuff ever. Fisheyes will be the result

 

[fang123]

Judging from the heater the OP has I don't think that is an issue.