Plumbing two 100 gallon Propane tanks

[ponjohn]

Do you simply "Y" them together?
Do you install a shutoff for each tank?
Should there be a flexible connection from black iron to tank(s)?

I am doing this so I can heat the garage, use for gas grill and eventually install a gas stove/oven.

Thanks for some insight.
John

 

[Junkman]

You might as well have your propane supplier do the plumbing of the tanks, because if when the driver comes to fill it, it is doesn't look like it was professionally done, they will not fill the tanks. I did my own propane plumbing, and when I was done, they sent the installer out to check my work, and to leak test it. If there was a leak, even though they didn't do the install, they can be held responsible. That is why the propane companies are so finicky about how every propane appliance is hooked up. The last thing in this world that you want to hear is BOOM in the night...........

 

[Franz©]

Since you reference 2 100 gallon tanks I presume they will be immediately adjacent to the building.

Normally connection is done by installing a double tank regulator that accomodates an incoming pigtail from each tank. The tanks themselves have shutoffs, and no additional shutoff is required on the high pressure side. Current procedure usually places the regulator in the dome of one of the 2 tanks.

Connection between the regulator and the building is normally done with ½" soft copper. Depending on location, a low pressure shutoff at entry to the building may be required. Frost heaving needs to be accomodated for in the soft copper.

Personally I like some type of strap securing the tanks to the building if they are colocated in a manner where tipping may occurr from either frost or earthquake.

 

[ponjohn]

Appreciate the info.

I plan on pouring a concrete slab with eye bolts so I can secure the tanks.

I'll google the twin tank regulator.

Thanks-
john

 

[6768rogues]

Most gas codes require that either tank be able to be turned off and removed without interrupting the gas supply from the other tank. Compression fittings are used rather than soldering joints. If you are in a place where high water can occur, strap them down or they might float away. Isn't it cool when a flood is shown on TV and a propane tank floats by?

 

[Brooklyn Plumbing]

Hi! Thanks a lot for sharing this information. Although, I am not the one who fixed the plumbing in the house, I learned something from this forum. When I moved to brooklyn, I asked someone to help me out. Nice post buddy!

 

[Flange]

I am in the UK and I have 2 x 47kg propane cylinders that feed my kitchen stove. They are connected via a changeover valve so that when one cylinder is empty you change to the other and then refill the empty one. You can get auto changeover valves and manual ones.

I dont know what the code is where you are but it does make sense to use one tank at a time rather than just use a "Y" and use them both together.

 

[Chetter]

I have my heater plumbed with 1/2" black pipe that goes from the heater to the tanks and I use one of those double regulators that has the auto switch when a tank goes empty. It has the 2 pigtails that fasten to the tanks and shows when one goes empty. Works great with my 2 40lb bottles that I use since I didn't want to try and move and lift 100lb bottles into my truck when empty. I plumbed a shutoff inside to shut gas off as well as the drip leg.

 

[Thorold]

Have my tanks coming next week for the workshop furnace ( 70,000 BTU 96% Efficient Goodman ).

I called Superior Propane up here in Ontario and for $199.95 CDN they pour the pad, install the tanks, include up to 25' of hose and they will install the propane conversion kit for me. One of their technicians is coming on Wednesday to do some measurements and pre-inspect the install.

Not sure if your propane suppliers have similar programs but it sure was cheaper for me than running 80' of NG line ( 1/2 of it 18" underground ).

 

[D.J.]

Jumped foward from first post, Are you sure you have one hundred gallon tanks and not one hundred pound tanks? One hundred gallon tanks are about thirty inches in diameter and one hundred pounders are about fourteen inches in diameter.
________
Colorado Medical Marijuana Dispensary

 

[Byron]

Don't use black iron pipe under ground it will cored . I would use fletcher coat or PE (Polyethylene) gas line .

 

[Byron]

I would think they are 100 gallon tanks the use what is called water column to determine the delivery pressure after the regulator on most residential it is commercial or big residential with a big T.C.H (total connected load) that use pound sets . I think he said the heater is 75,000 BTU that is relatively small considering most but not all residential central heaters are around 250,000 BTU .

 

[Byron]

Don't use black iron pipe under ground it will cored . I would use fletcher coat or PE (Polyethylene) gas line .