Propane Line Test

[BillBob]

Hello Everyone

I am setting up a home backup generator system, I got a propane tank and had all the valves replaced and ready to go I Hope.
I did the rest of the line install myself. I got 1 inch Home-Flex kit and used black iron fittings and propane copper flex pipe for earthquake Proof? I also got new propane regulators one at the tank and the one at the generator. I pipe sealed all the fittings and let them cured for over a week before testing. I got one of the home depot line test gauges and set to pressure test the line.
with the propane tank valve closed I added air pressure to the line at 16lbs pressure the regulator at the tank started releasing air and stopped at 15psi, ok that regulator is set at 12psig?
The test, the line test 13psi after 24 hours it dropped to 12psi, For a week it stayed at 12psi then went to 11psi then back up to 12psi at the end of week two I am at 11psi, after week three I am at 10psi and about week four I am at 8psi
Now I have done the bubble test with soapy water using dawn dish soap about 4 times now and I do not see even 1 bubble no where. Now I ordered a new pressure gauge after 3 days one the home depot valve as it went to zero after 3 days with no bubbles on a the leak test.
So with the new gauge and after 4 weeks I am at from 12psi down to 8psi and no bubbles no where to be seen?
so 4psi lose over 4 weeks is this ok?

Thanks for any help or advice

Bill

 

[ljhhontx]

"The test, the line test 13psi after 24 hours it dropped to 12psi, For a week it stayed at 12psi then went to 11psi then back up to 12psi at the end of week two I am at 11psi, after week three I am at 10psi and about week four I am at 8psi' Most if not all of this variance could probably be attributed to temperature drop.

 

[BillBob]

Yes
Thanks for the Advice the first week I tested in September it was in the 80's then dropped to high 60's to 70deg this I kind of took as temp swing. Now we are in the 50's to 60's in temp
I will pump it back up and see if it does the same thing if it does and still no bubbles in the test do you think it is fine and just maybe leaking from the test gauge?

 

[ljhhontx]

Pipeline testing is always done against plugs or caps, so yes a test of that duration is probably failing due to valves or gauges, especially Home Depot quality gauges.

 

[rawen2]

At the pressure you used to check the line I'd say you're good to go if no bubbles. Like someone else said ambient temperature changes will make the pressure in the line change too.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQYQZF22/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I used one of these to check a natural gas line. No leaks on the line but it found one on the solenoid gas valve of the furnace. I couldn't smell any gas even when I got real close to the valve. After tightening the screws on the valve body the leak stopped.

I tested the leak detector before actual use by using a Bic lighter to make sure it worked. In the ratings it seems some folks have gotten defective ones.

 

[Firebrick43]

Hello Everyone

I am setting up a home backup generator system, I got a propane tank and had all the valves replaced and ready to go I Hope.
I did the rest of the line install myself. I got 1 inch Home-Flex kit and used black iron fittings and propane copper flex pipe for earthquake Proof? I also got new propane regulators one at the tank and the one at the generator. I pipe sealed all the fittings and let them cured for over a week before testing. I got one of the home depot line test gauges and set to pressure test the line.
with the propane tank valve closed I added air pressure to the line at 16lbs pressure the regulator at the tank started releasing air and stopped at 15psi, ok that regulator is set at 12psig?
The test, the line test 13psi after 24 hours it dropped to 12psi, For a week it stayed at 12psi then went to 11psi then back up to 12psi at the end of week two I am at 11psi, after week three I am at 10psi and about week four I am at 8psi
Now I have done the bubble test with soapy water using dawn dish soap about 4 times now and I do not see even 1 bubble no where. Now I ordered a new pressure gauge after 3 days one the home depot valve as it went to zero after 3 days with no bubbles on a the leak test.
So with the new gauge and after 4 weeks I am at from 12psi down to 8psi and no bubbles no where to be seen?
so 4psi lose over 4 weeks is this ok?

Thanks for any help or advice

Bill

You can NOT use CSST like Home flex exposed outdoors. Use regular soft L copper tubing with 45 degree SAE flare fittings.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

You really need to take the line set loose from the tank, cap it, and test against the cap.

I'd test for 24 hours max.

To look for leaks, use a purpose made leak detection solution. They sell it at the box stores like HD. I've had a much better success finding gas leaks or air leaks with that as compared to dish washing soap and water.

Finally, you might contact your propane supplier and see if they can assist.

Good luck!

 

[PoorUB]

When I did gas piping with my HVAC job we would test for 15 minutes, maybe a bit more. Generally we would air up the system, our inspector required 15 minutes @ 25 PSI. We would clean up and then watch the gauge. No drop in 15 minutes and we were good to go. Also we would use a 40 PSI gauge so the 25 PSI yest was right in the middle of the gauge.

If you test for many hours temperature can change the pressure.

You should not have the gas line connected to any appliance or the LPG tank. No regulators in the system.

That all said, I would guess you are fine. If you want to be certain, remove the line at the tank regulator and test again to 25 PSI for 15 minutes, maybe 1/2 hour. If the gauge doesn't drop, hook it up.

 

[Walkers]

It is not really going to matter what you do, all that unprotected black iron with a union underground is going to rust away and leak in no time flat.

 

[My Old Tools]

Here the propane company has to do the hookup and pressure test. It doesn't take long.

 

[BillBob]

Thank You all for your help and ADVICE
this is the underground pipe kit I got from home depot

HOME-FLEX Underground 1in IPS New Install Kit (1)1in x 100 ft. Pipe (2)1in Couplers (2)1in Meter Risers, Gas Line Detection 18-429440-010 - The Home Depot

HOME FLEX - 3/4 Polyethylene Gas Pipe New Install Kit Pipe Couplers Meter Risers - this product is as convenient to use as it is durable.

www.homedepot.com

this I was told by the propane company guy that came out and put all new valves on are propane tank and said this kit from home depot would do just fine as it is what they use for long runs of pipe.
I have gas rated shut off valves on both ends so I can the propane off at the tank valve and a shut off valve at the steel pipe and another shut off valve at the generator. as for the black iron pipe the guy that certified are tank said to us that and then I could primer coat the pipe then paint it if I wanted to so it would not rust?
I have no Propane in my tank as of yet and I have not covered any pipe.
I just want to make sure there is no leaks, if I got over 15lbs in air pressure the regulator at the tank starts letting air out till it gets to 13psi and the it stops.
the propane guy ( I can't remember his name ) said to connect everything up and shut off the tank valve and then test everything and check everything for leaks, he said he has seen new regulator valves leak right out of the box.
I will go back to home depot and se what they got for bubble test spray or go to ACE hardware, I understand what you all mean about the temp changing the pressure at the gauge. I did put a different Gauge on to test and in a three day run I lost maybe 1/8 of a psi, I set it at 12psi and the needle is just under the 12 now but it has gotten cold outside to.

Again THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP and ADVICE

 

[Firebrick43]

Thank You all for your help and ADVICE
this is the underground pipe kit I got from home depot

HOME-FLEX Underground 1in IPS New Install Kit (1)1in x 100 ft. Pipe (2)1in Couplers (2)1in Meter Risers, Gas Line Detection 18-429440-010 - The Home Depot

HOME FLEX - 3/4 Polyethylene Gas Pipe New Install Kit Pipe Couplers Meter Risers - this product is as convenient to use as it is durable.

www.homedepot.com

this I was told by the propane company guy that came out and put all new valves on are propane tank and said this kit from home depot would do just fine as it is what they use for long runs of pipe.
I have gas rated shut off valves on both ends so I can the propane off at the tank valve and a shut off valve at the steel pipe and another shut off valve at the generator. as for the black iron pipe the guy that certified are tank said to us that and then I could primer coat the pipe then paint it if I wanted to so it would not rust?
I have no Propane in my tank as of yet and I have not covered any pipe.
I just want to make sure there is no leaks, if I got over 15lbs in air pressure the regulator at the tank starts letting air out till it gets to 13psi and the it stops.
the propane guy ( I can't remember his name ) said to connect everything up and shut off the tank valve and then test everything and check everything for leaks, he said he has seen new regulator valves leak right out of the box.
I will go back to home depot and se what they got for bubble test spray or go to ACE hardware, I understand what you all mean about the temp changing the pressure at the gauge. I did put a different Gauge on to test and in a three day run I lost maybe 1/8 of a psi, I set it at 12psi and the needle is just under the 12 now but it has gotten cold outside to.

Again THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP and ADVICE

That kit is fine for the underground. The issue is the yellow csst pipe from the tank to the 1/4 turn valve on the Steel pipe riser.

 

[PoorUB]

That kit is fine for the underground. The issue is the yellow csst pipe from the tank to the 1/4 turn valve on the Steel pipe riser.

That yellow tubing at the tank is not CSST. It is a coated flex connector and many are rated for outdoor use, but I will bet it is rated for low pressure gas and not 10 PSI . If he has 1/2 PSI regulator at the tank I believe he is ok, but I bet he is running 10 PSI.

 

[BillBob]

Thanks Guy's
I asked at Home Depot and at ACE Hardware about a connection pipe that would not break if an earthquake hit and I was told by both places this would be ok as it was rated for both natural gas and propane.
So I went and got some 3/8 in dia copper tubing and the fittings and nuts to fix this.
I will install this tomorrow and post the pics I hope this will be up to snuff then.

Again THANKS for the HELP!!

 

[BillBob]

Update
Ok got done switching the flex tubing over to 3/8 soft copper pipe.
this was kind of a joke for me as I was at home depot there was no one to help figure
what I wanted to do.
After asking three employee's there and a Half hour I found the soft copper pipe, then off to the fittings. I got 1/2 copper pipe in Dia. ( this is where my brain went into WTF Mode)
I could not find any fittings or flare nuts to fit all was to small.
Then off to 3/8 in dia. pipe, 3/8 fittings were to small, so in WTF mode I tried 1/2 fitting on 3/8 pipe
**** they fit????? So I wanted 1/2 pipe to kind of staying in the pipe range of the line setup but still no fittings to fit the 1/2 copper pipe. So i am stuck with the 3/8 soft copper tubing,
I hope this will be ok?
Got it all installed and using the real bubble test spray I still show no Bubbles in my leak test on nothing, the home flex underground yellow pipe and it's couplers, Nothing in the above ground black iron pipe, No bubbles in any other fittings, and no bubbles in both of the regulators.
I am At 14 psi as per the gauge reading and has been there for 2 hours now

 

[BillBob]

Well an Update
Sense I replaced that stainless steel flex yellow coated tubing with the soft copper tubing
my PSI at 14psi has not dropped at all it went down to 13 psi when it got colder then went back up to 14psi during the day. So my very slow leak was in the pipe or it's fittings? but I go no bubbles when i sprayed it al so??
Will see how it holds up for the rest of the week but 4 days and no pressure drop I'm happy at this point if this all looks good to you all?

Thank you all for Your HELP

 

[PCustoms]

Will see how it holds up for the rest of the week but 4 days and no pressure drop I'm happy at this point if this all looks good to you all?

Thank you all for Your HELP

Someone else already mentioned it but a normal test is at 25psi for about 15 minutes.

Sounds like you're all set. Is your tank full? I bet the supplier does a pressure or sniffer test before filling.

 

[BillBob]

Well been checking that gauge every day and it has not dropped at all !!
called the propane company to come out and fill it up dam that over $1000. to fill it up
I asked if they would fill the tank and check for leaks as all the lines are exposed and they
said they would, hopefully this part of the install will pass.