Are there any propane tank hookup experts on here?
 

I just bought a house yesterday and there used to be a propane tank but it is gone now.

I have tried to find a company that will hook it up on saturdays (as we live in another state and only come into town on weekends to work on the house at this point.) but no one wants to deliver & set up a propane tank on the weekend.

So... Here is my thought.

I only need propane for the water heater and, eventually, for the gas stove so one of those small tanks should be all I need for the time being.

Can anyone give any suggestions for hooking a small (outdoor grill size) propane tank up to a house feed line?

I have done some googling and it appears to be possible and it there are those who say they have done it for years but I don't know what type of connections might be needed etc or what pitfalls I might watch for.

Any suggestions?

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

I'd pay someone to come check out all the lines to make sure you have no damaged lines before hooking up anything... and I'm no expert. :D

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Oh come on... what's a little propane loose in the air gonna hurt? :)

Jk

Great suggestion.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

:nuke

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

lol

What are you trying to say?

:)

jk

I get the message loud and clear. :)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

I have never done this but it shouldn't be to hard. Just find where the old tank used to be and see what kind of connection is on the end of the line.

Another thing you could try is to get the tank set in the yard during the week and then you could hook it up yourself on the weekends. It is probably just a basic screw in connection, kinda like a garden hose.

Really, I don't see why these guys need you there to hook up the propane. They could hook it up and keep the valve off until you show up and then just turn it on.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Famous last words.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Yeah, I am scared to death of the stuff too.

My dad's farm truck used to run on butane and I was sitting on the tank and I turned the valve and basically "froze/burned" my leg pretty bad. I was about ten at the time and I still remember that.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

True...

I may check with some of the friendlier ones. :)

I am going to go to Lowe's tonight to look at counter tops etc... maybe they will have connections there.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

I don't cook with grease and I don't turn on the bbq... hubby does that.
He makes fun of me, but the day it blows up in his face I'm gonna say "I told ya so", before I call 911. :)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

So far it appears that the standard fitting for a 20 lb propane cylinder is a 3/8" male flare.

if I can find out the standard fitting for a 250 lb propane tank I can piece it together.

I would like to find out which fittings I am dealing with as I fear that too many questions may reveal my motives when I arrive at the hardware store and they may go fickle on me. :)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

I use to be a propane tank expert.:rip:nuke

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

My husband is a directional drilling expert in the oilfield and he can rebuild any part of an oil rig in about an hour... but I had to put together our gas grill when we got it so I would say there would likely be no help from our house LOL

Yep... he can keep the whole world from blowing up (LOL thats what our littlest one used to always say because of the fact he works with H2S and dirrectional drilling is always blowing up as you drill... but nope... cant figure out a propane tank LOL

He knows I love him Yep yep.. he also is the first to tell me to call someone else cuz he cant fix it!

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

I would think your insurance company might have something to say about a propane tank being connected 'unprofessionally'. :winkgrin

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

I've been there, too... :)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

I used to live in a mobile home when I first moved out of my parents house and it had a 50 lb tank. Each time it emptied I had to unhook the regulator, put the tank in my trunk, drive to the next town, get it refilled, bring it back to the house, hook it back up to the regulator and re-light all the pilots.

People change out their gas grill cylinders all the time (almost exclusively I am sure.)

What we have here is a basic adaptation from a 3/8" Male JIC Flare to the other size. All pieces are black iron or brass (non spark conducting and non galvanized as the galvanization reacts with the gas). All pieces will be taped with teflon tape for gas if the fitting material calls for it (I believe it is the yellow colored tape) and will be tested for leaks with a match.... just kidding... with a leak test solution.

It doesn't seem like rocket science (No pun intended on the possible rocket I am building :) )

The few connections are made should be sealed well, tightened sufficiently and tested thoroughly.

See... easy. :)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Sorry, no can do.

Good luck.

I sure hope you have a good back stock of dry goods at your place.


lol

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

You should not do it!

If you are putting the tank INSIDE your home that is a problem - I hope explanation is not need but it is forbidden but any AHJ and your insurance company.

If you are putting the tank OUTSIDE there are sill issues including regulator setting, and the connection issue (possibly reverse threads too) you are struggling with in your questions.

Sooo I would not recommend it... but chance of explosion is likely in single digits or less - but hey ya got hot water. :) Life is full of tradeoffs.

Stephen Hoover -
National Fireplace Institute
Certified Gas Specialist

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

What I do know is this, to check for leaks once the gas line is hooked up & the gas is turned on, light a match and run it over any connections, if there is a leak, this is one surefire way to detect it!:hypercoffee

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

LOL... Indeed life is full of tradeoffs. :) There will be no tanks inside the house.

My guess is this... Either we will have hot water or have reason to run briskly toward cold water. :)

Question though... Does your certification as a Gas Specialist have anything to do with your recent visit to a fancy-dancy restaurant with Atlanta Bishop?

:)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Don't tell him that ya silly. You use liquid dishwashing soap. Ask a plumber.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Nah... that won't work.

I've tried igniting liquid dishwashing soap before and you just can't get it to light.


:)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

You don't try to ignite it. You pour it on if you have bubbles you have a leak.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Ah, a man after my own fireball!:ursofunny

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Go to a local hardware store. They will know what you need and have plenty of advice on how to get it done.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Well, the thing is this: The connectors on propane tanks changed not too long ago, and, if this house had one of the older style tanks on it, the connector itself is going to have to be changed, which will most likely involve having to cut the old connector off and reflanging the feed line.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Dawn dishsoap is excellent for checking for leaks.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

And... hailing from my days as the Assistant Superintendent of a golf course...

It makes an excellent non ionic surfactant.

if you are going to spray pesticides, herbicides etc and you fear you may run into some rain then add a teaspoon or so of dishwashing liquid to a hand sprayer and it will help the chemicals stay on the grass should you get a moderate rain.

Ah the usefulness of dish soap. :)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

LOL...

Yes... I know...

It was an, apparently poor, attempt at humor. :)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Point noted. Studies have shown that gas and nice restaurants do have a link.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

All you need is the tank and regulator. Tighten regulator into tank, and turn gas on. Make sure you check on "fittings" for leaks! Use dishing washing liquid mixed with water in a spray bottle to check all fittings. If you see bubbles at a fitting, you've got a leak. Tighten or replace fitting.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Will do...

Probably for no reason... but I find it interesting that you put fittings in quotes. My job is to categorize parts and realign their descriptions to the proper noun.

We often get parts in that are called "fittings" and they will be properly renamed to elbow, coupling, coupler, tee, adapter etc.

Like I said... probably doesn't mean a hill of beans to anyone else but the "fittings" entry caught my eye given my job.

:)

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Not to mention the grass will be squeaky clean!

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

FITTINGS: elbow, coupling, coupler, tee, adapter etc.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

In HVAC, we use dish washing liquid to check for leaks alot. The supply house sells a "Propane leak detector" spray for about 4 times the price of a bottle of Dawn Dish washing liquid. It is made from the same ingredients as Dawn.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

2 words...Duct Tape!!!!

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

Two more words: Ka and Boom!

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

LOL...

After all that...

The regulator/valve/whatever its called... on the water heater was locked up solid. No go.

I am looking at buying a propane powered on demand water heater.

That will DEFINITELY require a big tank.

Re: Are there any propane tank hookup experts on h
 

I don't know if this was TIC but a gas "on demand" water heater will use less propane than a normal water heater... It could take a larger diameter gas line though.