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Re: [Shop-talk] Propane generator

To: Jeff Scarbrough <fishplate@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Propane generator
From: Jim Stone <1789alpine@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2020 22:10:38 -0400
Cc: Shop Talk <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: shop-talk@autox.team.net
References: <671E6B12-6B79-4951-8383-DEDFE4CBAFF7@gmail.com> <CAFnfnRVAcnL_u_asNGq2zw2xeF73mKhiMjbSjwskuL2fJgc9gw@mail.gmail.com> <732D9E4B-17A5-4040-BE85-39AB18C4FC12@gmail.com> <CAO8Q7CMjjFG+M2fDV0b9acYJq65HChqfQ+udJnL5OL9b79szfQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Interesting idea.  I am pretty sure I can do that without blowing =
anything up, but think I will wait until I connect with the manufacturer =
before taking any new steps.  Now that I know more about LP pressure (I =
don=E2=80=99t know how I survived all these years without this group!), =
I suspect the easiest thing to do will just be to hook up the generator =
with my unregulated hose and see how it runs with the 9-13=E2=80=9D =
currently in the house. But, again, I will wait until next week to make =
that decision.  There are no hurricanes in the forecast, so hopefully I =
have some time before I may need it.

I=E2=80=99ll update the group after I hear from Sportsman.

Jim

> On Sep 11, 2020, at 8:58 PM, Jeff Scarbrough <fishplate@gmail.com> =
wrote:
>=20
> A few random thoughts:
>=20
> 1.  You ought to be able to measure the gas pressure with your random =
plumbing fittings and some clear plastic tubing (WARNING! Explosion =
Hazard!  Be smart!)
>=20
> 2.  Do you have the volume available to supply everything at once?  =
(Might be able to be detected along with #1)
>=20
> On Fri, Sep 11, 2020 at 5:52 PM Jim Stone <1789alpine@gmail.com =
> Thanks, guys.  This is all really helpful and I think I understand =
everything.  I just did a little more research and have learned that:
>=20
> Our house pressure regulator is listed as having an SPG Range of =
9-13=E2=80=9D W.C.
> There don=E2=80=99t appear to be any supplemental regulators on the =
furnace or water heater.  I looked up the water heater and it specifies =
a supply pressure of 9.5-13.0=E2=80=B2=E2=80=B2.
> The owner=E2=80=99s manual specifications for the generator don=E2=80=99=
t specify the inlet pressure and the regulator that came with the =
generator doesn=E2=80=99t specify it's pressure.  However, a little =
research on the model (Ningbo Wanan RA328) indicates an outlet pressure =
of 11=E2=80=9D.
>=20
> So, while I will want to confirm this with the generator=E2=80=99s =
manufacturer, it would seem that I was over-regulated but also that a =
direct connection to the house should be about right for the generator.
>=20
> Correct?
>=20
> Jim
>=20
>> On Sep 11, 2020, at 5:25 PM, Ian McFetridge =
>>=20
>> As you say, I think you are over regulating the supply.  We have =
propane heat and when our standby generator was installed they measured =
the pressure and said it was too low and that they would have to cut in =
before the regulator to get enough pressure to the generator.  So, we =
have two lines with different regulators. =20
>>=20
>> Best,
>> Ian
>>=20
>> On Fri, Sep 11, 2020 at 4:51 PM Jim Stone <1789alpine@gmail.com =
>> I have a propane generator that I purchased 3 or 4 years ago for =
emergency use.  =
(https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-4-000-3-250-Watt-Propane-Gas-Powere=
d-Portable-Generator-with-Clean-Burning-LPG-and-RV-Outlet-GEN4000LP/202222=
977 =
<https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-4-000-3-250-Watt-Propane-Gas-Powere=
d-Portable-Generator-with-Clean-Burning-LPG-and-RV-Outlet-GEN4000LP/202222=
977>). I have never had to use it, but run it every year or so just to =
be sure it is there when I need it.  Up until today, I ran it off of a =
portable tank.  However, we use propane for our heat, cooking and hot =
water and have a 500 gallon in-ground tank, so being able to run off of =
that would be far better, especially in an extended outage. =20
>>=20
>> We had the house rebuilt last year and I had the plumber stub out a =
line on the side of the house.   I attached a quick release connecter to =
the house line =
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HSYWD3/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title=
_o02_s00?ie=3DUTF8&psc=3D1 =
<https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HSYWD3/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title=
_o02_s00?ie=3DUTF8&psc=3D1>) and purchased an adaptor for the supply =
line that came with the generator.  The supply line appears to be a =
standard connector like you would have for a gas grill.  Here is the =
adaptor I used: =
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E33GEM/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_=
o07_s00?ie=3DUTF8&psc=3D1 =
<https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E33GEM/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title=
_o07_s00?ie=3DUTF8&psc=3D1>
>>=20
>> There were also a few assorted bushings and adaptors needed to make =
everything fit, but I am confident they are all done correctly and I =
checked everything for leaks before starting up the generator.
>>=20
>> The generator ran very sluggishly and didn=E2=80=99t put out enough =
voltage to even consistently light an LED bulb.  I then connected it to =
a 20lb LP tank and everything worked perfectly.  I even ran the =
refrigerator for about an hour with no problems.
>>=20
>> There is a regulator on the supply line to the house, so I suspect I =
am over-regulating the supply.  Still, I assumed that a regulator would =
put out a constant pressure regardless of what went in, but maybe that =
isn=E2=80=99t the case.  I checked the house supply to make sure there =
wasn=E2=80=99t a shutoff in line that was partially closed, but it just =
runs straight off the main supply and the only shutoff on that line is =
outside.  I have an unregulated supply line that I can use, but didn=E2=80=
=99t want to do that without some confirmation that =E2=80=9Chouse" =
pressure would likely be correct for this application.
>>=20
>> Thanks,
>> Jim
>> _______________________________________________
>>=20
>> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html =
<http://www.team.net/donate.html>
>> Suggested annual donation  $12.96
>> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk =
<http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk> http://autox.team.net/archive =
<http://autox.team.net/archive>
>>=20
>> Unsubscribe/Manage: =
http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org =
<http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org=
>
>>=20
>=20
> _______________________________________________
>=20
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html =
<http://www.team.net/donate.html>
> Suggested annual donation  $12.96
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk =
<http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk> http://autox.team.net/archive =
<http://autox.team.net/archive>
>=20
> Unsubscribe/Manage: =
http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/fishplate@gmail.com =
<http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/fishplate@gmail.com>
>=20


--Apple-Mail=_C93A003C-C0F0-4438-B013-F3EF1F6B8079
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        charset=utf-8

<html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dutf-8"></head><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; =
-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" =
class=3D"">Interesting idea. &nbsp;I am pretty sure I can do that =
without blowing anything up, but think I will wait until I connect with =
the manufacturer before taking any new steps. &nbsp;Now that I know more =
about LP pressure (I don=E2=80=99t know how I survived all these years =
without this group!), I suspect the easiest thing to do will just be to =
hook up the generator with my unregulated hose and see how it runs with =
the 9-13=E2=80=9D currently in the house. But, again, I will wait until =
next week to make that decision. &nbsp;There are no hurricanes in the =
forecast, so hopefully I have some time before I may need it.<div =
class=3D""><br class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">I=E2=80=99ll update the =
group after I hear from Sportsman.</div><div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">Jim<br class=3D""><div><br =
class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D""><div class=3D"">On Sep =
11, 2020, at 8:58 PM, Jeff Scarbrough &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:fishplate@gmail.com"; class=3D"">fishplate@gmail.com</a>&gt;=
 wrote:</div><br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=3D""><div =
dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"">A few random thoughts:<div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">1.&nbsp; You ought to be able to =
measure the gas pressure with your random plumbing fittings and some =
clear plastic tubing (WARNING! Explosion Hazard!&nbsp; Be =
smart!)</div><div class=3D""><br class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">2.&nbsp;=
 Do you have the volume available to supply everything at once?&nbsp; =
(Might be able to be detected along with #1)</div></div><br =
class=3D""><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" =
class=3D"gmail_attr">On Fri, Sep 11, 2020 at 5:52 PM Jim Stone &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:1789alpine@gmail.com"; =
class=3D"">1789alpine@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br =
class=3D""></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px =
0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid =
rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div style=3D"overflow-wrap: =
break-word;" class=3D"">Thanks, guys.&nbsp; This is all really helpful =
and I think I understand everything.&nbsp; I just did a little more =
research and have learned that:<div class=3D""><br class=3D""></div><div =
class=3D""><ul class=3D""><li class=3D"">Our house pressure regulator is =
listed as having an SPG Range of 9-13=E2=80=9D W.C.</li><li =
class=3D"">There don=E2=80=99t appear to be any supplemental regulators =
on the furnace or water heater.&nbsp; I looked up the water heater and =
it specifies a supply pressure of&nbsp;9.5-13.0=E2=80=B2=E2=80=B2.</li><li=
 class=3D"">The owner=E2=80=99s manual specifications for the generator =
don=E2=80=99t specify the inlet pressure and the regulator that came =
with the generator doesn=E2=80=99t specify it's pressure.&nbsp; However, =
a little research on the model (Ningbo Wanan RA328) indicates an outlet =
pressure of&nbsp;11=E2=80=9D.</li></ul><div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">So, while I will want to confirm this =
with the generator=E2=80=99s manufacturer, it would seem that I was =
over-regulated but also that a direct connection to the house should be =
about right for the generator.</div><div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">Correct?</div><div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">Jim</div><div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D""><div class=3D"">On Sep =
11, 2020, at 5:25 PM, Ian McFetridge &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org"; target=3D"_blank" =
class=3D"">shop-talk2@mcfetridge.org</a>&gt; wrote:</div><br =
class=3D""><div class=3D""><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"">As you say, I =
think you are over regulating the supply.&nbsp; We have propane heat and =
when our&nbsp;standby generator was installed they measured the pressure =
and said it was too low and that they would have to cut in before the =
regulator to get enough pressure&nbsp;to the generator.&nbsp; So, we =
have two lines with different regulators.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">Best,</div><div =
class=3D"">Ian</div></div><br class=3D""><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div =
dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Fri, Sep 11, 2020 at 4:51 PM Jim =
Stone &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:1789alpine@gmail.com"; target=3D"_blank" =
class=3D"">1789alpine@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br =
class=3D""></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px =
0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid =
rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class=3D"">I have a propane =
generator that I purchased 3 or 4 years ago for emergency use. &nbsp;(<a =
href=3D"https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-4-000-3-250-Watt-Propane-Gas=
-Powered-Portable-Generator-with-Clean-Burning-LPG-and-RV-Outlet-GEN4000LP=
/202222977" target=3D"_blank" =
class=3D"">https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-4-000-3-250-Watt-Propane-=
Gas-Powered-Portable-Generator-with-Clean-Burning-LPG-and-RV-Outlet-GEN400=
0LP/202222977</a>). I have never had to use it, but run it every year or =
so just to be sure it is there when I need it.&nbsp; Up until today, I =
ran it off of a portable tank.&nbsp; However, we use propane for our =
heat, cooking and hot water and have a 500 gallon in-ground tank, so =
being able to run off of that would be far better, especially in an =
extended outage. &nbsp;<div class=3D""><br class=3D""></div><div =
class=3D"">We had the house rebuilt last year and I had the plumber stub =
out a line on the side of the house. &nbsp; I attached a quick release =
connecter to the house line (<a =
href=3D"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HSYWD3/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asi=
n_title_o02_s00?ie=3DUTF8&amp;psc=3D1" target=3D"_blank" =
class=3D"">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HSYWD3/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_=
asin_title_o02_s00?ie=3DUTF8&amp;psc=3D1</a>) and purchased an adaptor =
for the supply line that came with the generator.&nbsp; The supply line =
appears to be a standard connector like you would have for a gas =
grill.&nbsp; Here is the adaptor I used:&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E33GEM/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asi=
n_title_o07_s00?ie=3DUTF8&amp;psc=3D1" target=3D"_blank" =
class=3D"">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E33GEM/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_=
asin_title_o07_s00?ie=3DUTF8&amp;psc=3D1</a><div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""></div><div class=3D""><div class=3D"">There were also a few =
assorted bushings and adaptors needed to make everything fit, but I am =
confident they are all done correctly and I checked everything for leaks =
before starting up the generator.</div><div class=3D""><br =
class=3D""></div><div class=3D"">The generator ran very sluggishly and =
didn=E2=80=99t put out enough voltage to even consistently light an LED =
bulb.&nbsp; I then connected it to a 20lb LP tank and everything worked =
perfectly.&nbsp; I even ran the refrigerator for about an hour with no =
problems.</div></div><div class=3D""><br class=3D""></div><div =
class=3D"">There is a regulator on the supply line to the house, so I =
suspect I am over-regulating the supply.&nbsp; Still, I assumed that a =
regulator would put out a constant pressure regardless of what went in, =
but maybe that isn=E2=80=99t the case.&nbsp; I checked the house supply =
to make sure there wasn=E2=80=99t a shutoff in line that was partially =
closed, but it just runs straight off the main supply and the only =
shutoff on that line is outside.&nbsp; I have an unregulated supply line =
that I can use, but didn=E2=80=99t want to do that without some =
confirmation that =E2=80=9Chouse" pressure would likely be correct for =
this application.</div><div class=3D""><br class=3D""></div><div =
class=3D"">Thanks,</div><div =
class=3D"">Jim</div></div></div>__________________________________________=
_____<br class=3D"">
<br class=3D"">
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class=3D"">Shop-talk@autox.team.net</a><br class=3D"">
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Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk"; =
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</blockquote></div>
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class=3D""></div></div>_______________________________________________<br =
class=3D"">
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