propane question

[ford2go]

I put a ventless heater in my garage, and since I only plan to use it occasionally, I hooked it to a portable ( 20 lb?) tank -- the kind used on barbecues, etc.

The tank is outside, and I hooked it to an adapter/regulator with a rubber hose. This all hooks to black pipe outsde of the garage.

Anyway, it doesn't seem to work when the temp drops to the low 20's -- and I live in Minnesota. Pilot will die out, and I can't relight. I know that propane pressure drops with temp, but it stays liquid to 40 below.

Do I need a more advanced setup? I have propane heat, and the line runs right along the foundation past the heater. I could have that hooked in I guess( by a professional!)

Any other thoughts -- could it possibly be the new OPD safety feature?

Probably a primitive setup for you guys, but I'd appreciate any comments.

Thanks,

ford2go

 

[cw_racefan]

I think its the size of the tank. At low temperatures, you need a larger tank to keep the pressure and gas flow high enough for the heater. Alot depends on the heater. As I remember, most that I looked at required at least a 100 lb tank. Check your heater's manual, it probably has a chart or some info on minimum tank size.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

You should have someone tap into your main propane line and use gas from there.

If your heater is rated at say, 20,000 BTU, it'll only run for about 8 hours on a 20 pound cylinder. They don't fill those tanks all the way, so you only end up with maybe 2 useful gallons of propane. And you pay what for it? $18 or so for 2 gallons? You're probably paying $1.50/gallon for your main tank, so do the math and you'll see what I mean.

Regarding the ODP feature...it could sort of be the problem. The ODP sensor is down there in the pilot and will cause the pilot to shut off if it isn't burning right, regardless of why. Sure, it could be because the heater has depleted the O2 from the combustion air in your garage causing a dangerous condition. But much more common is a dust or cat hair in the pilot assembly. I can see where low propane pressure could also cause the ODP to trip out. To figure out if that's the problem, you'd need an inches pressure gauge or a manometer. Who knows what your grill regulator is set for. The heater probably needs abotu 14" w/c to operate properly.

Phil

 

[ford2go]

Thanks guys,

I know enough about gas to be careful, and now I know a little more about how to be successful!

ford2go

 

[ac45mike]

The line that runs past the building is a high pressure line your gas company will install a secound stage regulator on the building from there to the heater. If you want to run it off the 20 lb tank toss the hose and use half inch copper
to the black pipe and if you can get a large twinstage regulator from a local gas guy and it will work fine Mike

 

[D KRAGER]

Your heater burns off all the vapor and the liquid can't vaporize fast enough to keep up with the heater .... You could put the tank inside away from the heater while in use, then store it outside..... Or try to upgrade to a 100# bottle. there would be more area in the tank for vapor.

 

[mritech1]

Not to rob or sidebar your thread but how do you like the ventless system? I have heard they produce excess moisture in the air. I am thinking of putting one of these in a 500 sq/ft area of my shop for a game room and some taxidermy work????? I was told a 100 gallon tank would run a 30,000btu heater for 70 hrs. Not sure I believe that but I will only be using it casually 2-3 hrs a week.... Thanks for any info.

 

[Junkman]

Just filled my propane tank today and the price is $1.724 per gallon from a MA propane supplier (prefer not to name them). I pay Selkirk pricing plus 30 cents per gallon.... Junk...

 

[trovato]

Just filled my propane tank today and the price is $1.724 per gallon from a MA propane supplier (prefer not to name them). I pay Selkirk pricing plus 30 cents per gallon.... Junk...

So what do you use the propane for? Are you a really high volume user? No residential account around here gets "terminal plus" pricing.

 

[Franz©]

For the 67345th time on the web, there are 2 problems with OPD equipped tanks suplying large burners, and there is an EXCEPTION top the OPD valve requirement to accomodate the problems. Unfortunately most propane fill stations are staffed by a$$wipes who refuse to recognize the exceptions until you haul their *** into Small Claims Court for Restraint of Interstate Commerse. The Judges love it.

OPD valves have a flow restrictor built in, and they go to autoshutdown trying to suply any burner beyond 40kbtu. The second generation OPD valve does NOT overcome this problem, contrary to the manufacturer's representation.
A 20pound cylinder has limited boil off capability at any temperature, and 45Kbtu is pushing the boil ability below 50° ambient. The solution is to manifold multiple 20# cylinders together. You can draw more btus of gas from a pair of 20s on a manifold than you can draw from a 100# cylinder in verticle orientation.

 

[trovato]

Not to rob or sidebar your thread but how do you like the ventless system? I have heard they produce excess moisture in the air. I am thinking of putting one of these in a 500 sq/ft area of my shop for a game room and some taxidermy work????? I was told a 100 gallon tank would run a 30,000btu heater for 70 hrs. Not sure I believe that but I will only be using it casually 2-3 hrs a week.... Thanks for any info.

I am not a big fan of ventless. A direct vent heater exchanges intake air and exhaust through a single vent through the wall. It's one hole. No flue, no chimney system, no big project. Flame is then "logically outside" of the garage. Much safer, no extra moisture and I'm not breathing its waste.