propane tank question

Patsdeere · Nov 28, 2013

Ok I bought a place that has a 120 gal. tank for heating water and the stove. I went to start the hot water heater and found out that I am missing the line between the tank and regulator. What I don't know is what I am missing to connect it. Any help would be appreciated. Attached are some pics.

To keep it tractor related, I need to get it rented to pay for storing my tractors- that is a whole nother story.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 28, 2013

Call the propane supplier and they'll probably send a guy out to hook it up for you.

Patsdeere · Nov 28, 2013

I was trying to avoid that, but if I have to I well. Is that a special type off connection or is it something every large tank has? It looks like a specialized thing that screws on to the tank.

T in NE · Nov 29, 2013

Should just be a short copper line with the same cone-type fitting with a jam nut behind it at both ends. A good hardware or supply house should know what you need.

Old Iowa · Nov 29, 2013

It looks like someone has taken the copper line.

You could need two regulators if the distance is very far from the tank to the second regulator. This is a two stage regulator regulator setup. The regulator at the tank just drops the pressure a little and then the second regulator at the home drops the pressure down to what your appliances need. The two regulators allow you to use a smaller line to supply the house.

You can have a single two stage regulator setup. The regulator you have pictured could be either. You need to know what type it is.

The valve you show in your picture does not look like any common valve I have seen around here. The ones around here all use a flare fitting to connect the line to the valve.

If you are not 100% sure call out someone that is. It is dangerous to hook a high pressure line to a single stage regulator at the house.

Here is a link to a good site that walks you through the different setups. You should be able to figure out what you need to do from this site.
Propane 101 site

Texasmark1 · Nov 29, 2013

+1. I do most everything myself, but I let the propane guys handle this. It's a pain, but do the wrong thing and the whole place can go up BOOM! Just went through the inspections and all with a new dealer. One thing they do is leak check the system which I think is a great idea. When you heat your house with 3 gas stoves (and a wood stove) and have a gas range and 2 gas water heaters, it's all over the house. The put sulphur in it to allow you to smell it but still.

Mark

Owen Aaland · Nov 29, 2013

Ethyl mercaptan is the odorant added to propane.

504 · Nov 29, 2013

Some LP valves use an adapter to the line, I think you are missing that adapter.

MarkB_MI · Nov 29, 2013

Probably just a copper line (3/8 or 1/2 inch) with a couple of flare-to-pipe adapters. Like everyone else said, if you're unsure it's worth the modest cost of a service call.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 29, 2013

You must know wether it is liquid or vapor you are hooking on to and what you are burning can't tell from here get someone that knows . RENE'

Spook · Nov 29, 2013

Our propane guy does that stuff for free. I needed a new manifold and 50 feet of line run and dug in. Only cost $25.

Leroy · Nov 29, 2013

That pipe in the second picture probably has a rusted out spot leaking the reason that some of the line was removed and if there is any fuel in the tank at all that would be a good way for somebody that found the leak to keep someone else from turning the fuel on and making trouble. First thing is to make sure that line is not as rusted as it looks. I had a line rust out and leak, lost a couple hundred gallons, called propane company and told them was out of gas with a leak, filled up the 500 gal tank but never checked for that leak, I found that out after I lost that new tank of 420 gal of fuel and they would do nothing about it. I found the leak after I was out of fuel second time in 2 days and while looking I touched my pipe like in your second picture and it just fell off, that is how bad it was rusted just an inch below ground level. Changed suppliers then as after 40 years they were getting too big for their britches.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 29, 2013

Several things in your pictures confuse me. I don't know if practices/regulations are different there, or if something else has gone on. That's a two stage regulator shown. I just had to have one hooked up to my shop, as the underground line from my big tank was destroyed with some excavation. Whether it's a single stage, or two stage regulator, here they are coupled close to the tank valve, under the cover, with tiny(maybe 1/4") copper. I am also baffled by the looks of your valve. I have black iron pipe coming into my house, but it's above ground. Anything in or on the ground here is copper, or plastic with coated metal risers.
As others have already said, looks like you need your propane supplier out to get it straight.

D beatty · Nov 29, 2013

My set up on house has a regulator on the tank and one on the house.I think if I was you I would get a hold of the gas supplier and talk with them they work with this every day.

David G · Nov 29, 2013

Get supplier to help, they would gladly rather do that than pick up the pieces later.

RayP(MI) · Nov 29, 2013

If you call a dealer they will probably want to replace the regulator(s) which is probably a good plan. Strongly suggest you have a competent dealer set it up for you.

shaun wallace · Nov 29, 2013

The tank pic looks like a motor fuel tank,fork lift.The fitting on left looks to be ACME,service valve dosnt look rite.

oldtanker · Nov 29, 2013

1. As others have stated have the supplier look at it. If you do it and they don't like they will refuse to fill it. They don't/will not take on that liability.

2. You may have to replace the tank. Suppliers here are demanding a minimum 200 gallon order per fill or they tack on a hefty delivery fee.

Laws vary state to state but the suppliers insurance is going to dictate what they will fill and that will depend on condition, age of regulators and so on. Bet they want to do a pressure check before the first fill too.

Rick

Anonymous-0 · Nov 29, 2013

With natural gas you should have it installed by a licensed gas fitter. Why would propane be any different? It will blow up just as bad!

Frank A · Nov 29, 2013

It's had to tell from here but it looks like the tank is been "locked out" ( a POL lock in the service valve). So like most others have said a call to the supplier would be the first thing to do.

gene bender · Nov 30, 2013

Let your propane dealer answer your questions and fix the problem that way it will be done according to local regulations,laws ect

propane tank question

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