Ventless Propane fire place question.

[JOE.G]

Hi, I have a two story shop, bottom floor is my work area, and I have a Big Maxx 80 K propane unit ( Have radiant tubing in floor just have not hooked it up yet) the second story is my Man cave , I was given a very nice Propane fire place that say's it does a max of 30K BTU, I was planning on hooking this up to the manifold that was installed when I we installed the Big Maxx ( I have three spare ports ) Will hooking this up affect the Propane pressure for the big maxx? It was adjusted my my propane company after I installed the unit.

Any advice on hook up? I was going to use a 3/8 line and it is about a 20 to 30 ft run depending how I run it.

I only plan to use it when I am out in the man cave so I do not have to heat my whole shop up ( I keep it at 45 to 50 when I am not working out there )as the Big Maxx. Thanks

 

[Jackfre]

There is no way to tell without running the numbers and backing that up with a manometer to confirm. A correctly sized gas system will support all connected appliances without seeing reductions in pressure. 20-30’ of 3/8’s could work, but what else is connected to the system.

 

[JOE.G]

The incoming line and the line going to the Big max is probably 5/8 ( Tank to Regulator and Regulator to Manifold is a bit smaller then the line to Big Maxx ) if I had to guess I forget what we used now but it is large. At this time I only have the Big Maxx hooked up to it. I may down the Road hook the Radiant floor heater to it depending on what I use for that. I don't see all three of these being on at once.

 

[fitter30]

Heres a chart for btu capacity
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/propane-gas-pipe-sizing-d_827.html

 

[JOE.G]

i appreciate the chart but I am lost, the tubing he is going to bring is soft copper with a yellow coating.

 

[JOE.G]

So I ran the copper tubing and hooked up the unit, seems to work well flame seems correct and it heats up the room very well.

Looking at getting this, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016H12KS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The gas company set up the pressure for me when i installed the Big Max 80 K, I have to see if they require the same pressure, if not I am unsure how I would set them differently as I only have the one regulator at tank, then one before the 4 Port Manifold that i have in shop to branch off to the units.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Remember, any ventless propane heat device puts a LOT of moisture in the air.

 

[JOE.G]

Yes I know, It is only to be used as needed, Maybe a handful times a season. I ran it for an hr the other day and i had no issues.

 

[JOE.G]

I looked around online and I found the Manual which I did not have, It says to use 1/2 line but doesnt say anymore. The Tag on the unit says 20K Min Input and 30 K Max Input Max Input Pressure 14 WC/ Min 11 WC and Manifold Pressure 8 WC.

I used 3/8 to feed this stove which is fed from a large Manifold which was 11 WC if I remember correctly when it was installed.

The Fire Place seems to be running fine, Flame is Blue at the very base and the rest is a orange/yellowish flame with no soot. I have not checked the pressure at the stove yet as I have to order the tool to do so.

All my online reading seems to say 3/8 can handle 100 K plus BTU. Not sure if I should change it to 1/2 or leave it.

 

[Jackfre]

You are probably ok on this but should you choose to test it, get a manometer on the gas valve at the unit and see what it says. Once you are happy with that go around and turn on all the other gas appliances in the house and see if it maintains pressure. That is the definitive test.

 

[fitter30]

Co detector would a good idea to have.

 

[JOE.G]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016H12KS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is this decent unit for home owner use?

Co Dectector is in the room, I have not mounted it yet as i am not sure the best location, Is it okay to install on the same wall as the Fire place is on?

 

[spudley]

In my research, CO detectors should be about 5' off the floor.

Your gas pressure should be checked with a manometer exactly as Jackfre posted. The flame color test gets close but incorrect pressure could cause premature wear on your equipment. A manometer is easy peasy to use.

 

[JOE.G]

Do you have a preference on a pressure tester? Any links to a decent home owner tool?