How/where should I tee into my propane line for generator?

[zimm17]

I have a 500 gallon underground tank. I want put a tee, shut off valve, and POL/bbq fitting so I can run a dual fuel 9000 watt generator from it. Any plumbing gurus that can help me piece together the best way to do this with my set up? Am I better off teeing into the copper line? In the Iron line?

I've tried and tried to get a professional plumber but nobody is interested in doing the job. So DIY time.

I believe I need to tee in before the regulator since the generator comes with it's own?

 

[PoorUB]

I believe I need to tee in before the regulator since the generator comes with it's own?

Yep!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

The generator regulator is most likely a higher pressure than the one that feeds the house. So yes, Tee in before the other regulator.
Also check that the size of the line feeding the house is sufficient for the generator.

 

[zimm17]

Oh yeah a 1/2 line handles something like 290,000btu/hr.

The generator specs say at 100% load, it uses 2.2kg/hr, which translates to .11 cubic feet an hour. Not much.

When it cools off I'm going to pop the top of the propane tank hatch and see if there's anything available to plumb an extra line from there. I could put the generator right next to the propane tank and run extension cord to the house power inlet box.

 

[zimm17]

So I popped the top on the propane tank (underground). Looks like I can easily add a tee, shut off, and a ACME/POL fitting and just hook the generator up right to it instead of messing with anything at the house. Right where the yellow copper line goes into that pressure regulator.

 

[zimm17]

Yep!

PoorUB- I saw in a search your other advice about propane installs. Here's my question if I put a tee and ACME fitting in my propane tank "trunk" as pictured above. I'm assuming the red regulator is a first stage and the big one on the house is the second stage. Will I be good putting the generator feed in between these? I think so. The copper is 1/2". I'm assuming propane uses standard compression fittings and flares? Or are they special? I should be able to piece together a brass tee, put a propane shut off on it, thread on a ACME BBQ fitting and then hook in my generator's pigtail to that?

 

[PoorUB]

How far is the run of tubing from the tank?

Do you have full load LG use?

Also, I am assuming the red tank regulator is 10 PSI out. There is a test port on the side of the regulator, do you have a gauge that you can test it? Shut off the tank valve first!!

I will bet you will be fine, unless the tank is some extreme distance from the house.

 

[PoorUB]

Oops! I se your other post. 2.2 gallons at full load works out to abut 200,000 BTU so if you 290,000 BTU for the line size is correct you should be fine, assuming you are under 100,000 BTU load in the rest of the house. You may have to control the load in the house by shutting off any large appliances.

 

[zimm17]

Thanks for the insight- The house is about 20 feet from the tank, maybe closer. Only gas appliances I have are the furnace, cook top, and 2 fireplaces which won't be used if generator is running furnace.

There's a shraeder valve on red regulator- it's safe to put a tire gauge on that (with tank off?).

 

[Firebrick43]

PoorUB- I saw in a search your other advice about propane installs. Here's my question if I put a tee and ACME fitting in my propane tank "trunk" as pictured above. I'm assuming the red regulator is a first stage and the big one on the house is the second stage. Will I be good putting the generator feed in between these? I think so. The copper is 1/2". I'm assuming propane uses standard compression fittings and flares? Or are they special? I should be able to piece together a brass tee, put a propane shut off on it, thread on a ACME BBQ fitting and then hook in my generator's pigtail to that?

Propane fittings are NOT compression.

They are brass 45 degrees SAE flare fittings. Threaded fittings are NPT

If you shut off the valve at the tank you need to have your supplier check over the system and do a gas/leak check before resuming service by code.

 

[Firebrick43]

Thanks for the insight- The house is about 20 feet from the tank, maybe closer. Only gas appliances I have are the furnace, cook top, and 2 fireplaces which won't be used if generator is running furnace.

There's a shraeder valve on red regulator- it's safe to put a tire gauge on that (with tank off?).

No its not. And that is not a standard shraeder valve, that is an acme test port.

 

[zimm17]

Oh yes, I meant flare fittings- compression fittings have those little copper rings. I'm not worried about exact code, permits, just making it safe for myself the best I can. I spent 3 months trying to get a gas plumber out here, even the propane supply company- nobody will even return a phone call or email. I put in my own Tesla charger, mini-split in the garage, generator transfer switch, I think I can figure out a few propane fittings.

 

[zimm17]

I'm also thinking about skipping the whole POL fitting part and taking the supplied generator hose and make it longer and do a QD fitting at the tee. I don't like that the only POL/AMCE fitting I can find only has a 1/4NPT on the other side and no internal shut off valve. I want to have a 25' hose with fittings coiled up in the truck- with a shut off valve- and fitting on end of hose that won't leak if the valve is accidentally opened. Power outage- open the lid to propane tank, pull our hose, hook to generator, turn on valve and I should be business.

 

[Firebrick43]

Oh yes, I meant flare fittings- compression fittings have those little copper rings. I'm not worried about exact code, permits, just making it safe for myself the best I can. I spent 3 months trying to get a gas plumber out here, even the propane supply company- nobody will even return a phone call or email. I put in my own Tesla charger, mini-split in the garage, generator transfer switch, I think I can figure out a few propane fittings.

Also the generator can not be within 10 feet of the far edges of the tank horizontally so the hook up should be further than this. The hook up should be also 10' away from sources of ignition such as a AC unit or Electrical meter panel/base or furnace intakes/exhaust or below windows.

I am not trying to dissuade you from doing your own plumbing. Its code that it has to be checked. If I was your gas supplier I would shut off the tank and lock it out when I saw what your doing and it had not been checked.

How do you get gas delivered if they won't call you back???????

 

[Firebrick43]

I'm also thinking about skipping the whole POL fitting part and taking the supplied generator hose and make it longer and do a QD fitting at the tee. I don't like that the only POL/AMCE fitting I can find only has a 1/4NPT on the other side and no internal shut off valve. I want to have a 25' hose with fittings coiled up in the truck- with a shut off valve- and fitting on end of hose that won't leak if the valve is accidentally opened. Power outage- open the lid to propane tank, pull our hose, hook to generator, turn on valve and I should be business.

I would suggest a quick connect as well but they do still sometimes leak even if shut off. Its good to always cap them if not in use as mud dubbers love them.

 

[zimm17]

Also the generator can not be within 10 feet of the far edges of the tank horizontally so the hook up should be further than this. The hook up should be also 10' away from sources of ignition such as a AC unit or Electrical meter panel/base or furnace intakes/exhaust or below windows.

I am not trying to dissuade you from doing your own plumbing. Its code that it has to be checked. If I was your gas supplier I would shut off the tank and lock it out when I saw what your doing and it had not been checked.

How do you get gas delivered if they won't call you back???????

I haven't had gas delivered yet. But I can get in touch with the lady in the office. But to get any sort of plumbing work- ghosted- never a contact back. All they care about is fees. Which is why when I bought this house, I bought out the tank ($3700) because I didn't want to be a lease contract with minimum use fees, no option for a different supplier, etc.

 

[Firebrick43]

I haven't had gas delivered yet. But I can get in touch with the lady in the office. But to get any sort of plumbing work- ghosted- never a contact back. All they care about is fees. Which is why when I bought this house, I bought out the tank ($3700) because I didn't want to be a lease contract with minimum use fees, no option for a different supplier, etc.

I understand wanting to own your own tank, i do myself. Any company that you chose to use should be able to do a gas check. They should do a full safety inspection before filling your tank for the first time.

The propane supplier themselves should be able to do what your asking. They wont touch stuff inside the house but any piping and fittings up to the second stage regulator they should be able to install.

 

[thammel]

I had my propane supplier do the plumbing for me. I did everything else - all electrical work for my generator. He T'd off the line before the house regulator and ran a line over to my genset. Then he put in a shut-off valve and another regulator.

 

[finn]

Sounds like the gas company has no interest since it’s not their tank, and since they have never even sold you gas, they have no history with you and you’re not even their customer.

Unintended consequence of owning your own tank, I guess.

 

[zimm17]

Well they made $3700 off of me to sell the tank and I signed up for monthly fills starting this fall. I guess I can try again.

 

[Firebrick43]

Is this one of the big chains such as Amerigas, Ferrell, or Hicks?

Farrell tends to buy out good mom and pop places and keep the name/run them into the ground. Amerigas there is nothing good to say. I bet we got over 100 customers this summer because of the antics these two companies pull.

Hicks is spotty. The local area here is ok, but they couldn't make deliveries in the area to the north of here running alot of people out of gas over the winter.

Do you have a Co-op nearby?

Some small Mom and Pop places can be really good as well.

 

[zimm17]

They’re called foster fuels. I finally got a plumber to email me back. He supposed to come by next week to look it over.

 

[rayra]

Just whatever you add, wherever you add it, put a cutoff valve where the new branching starts.

 

[zimm17]

Just whatever you add, wherever you add it, put a cutoff valve where the new branching starts.

For sure that's the plan. That way if there's a leak I shut off that branch without shutting off the whole system.

 

[Monza Harry]

Your insurance company will [ or should] have inspectors or at least some consultants. See if they can share a lead on a contractor. Then it isn't "zimm17" looking it is "State Farm, Geico, Progressive, Or Allstate" looking for a contractor. This may be worth investigating. If you do the work yourself you need it inspected for the insurance, they may be able to inspect after you do it and guide you to compliance. Of course they may just cancel you, I can't help with that likely outcome. Harry