We're in a nice park, but a real bearcat to get in and out. Running low on propane and noticed the PO put a hose and ball valve in. Will any propane bottle work after shutting off the main? Will the gen set work off the bottle, as well? Thanks for any insight. ^.^d
Works great as long as you plump the portable before the main tank regulator and DO NOT put another regulator on the portable tank. Not sure why he has 2 valves, I just close the main tank valve and open 1 valve from the portable.
Thanks, I think the other b.v. is to shut the gen set down, which is not a bad idea. ^.^d
Looks like (no, I did not to that) the top hose with the POL attachment is for an auxiliary propane supply.
The lower ball valve is to shut off propane to the generator. When storing it, particularly if indoors, much better to NOT leave a hose full of high pressure (pre-regulator) propane.
Got a bottle & gauge from HD, under $50.00. Shut-off the main and tested for leaks/operation. Works fine, small enough for me to lug around, will see how long the propane lasts. ^.^d Yes, the bay door has to be slightly open for the external hose, but the entry door works great, still on the rubber stopper. A rubber maid stool with holes drilled should take care of rain drainage.
Interesting: power just went out here, decided to hit the gen-set, needed a work-out anyhow. Would not run off the aux bottle, but after I shut the bottle and the ball valve off and went to the main tank, working as advertised! Hmm.
The new "safety valves" will not allow the volume of vapor needed to run a gennie...hit the garage/ estate sales and pick up an older tank with a good valve or talk nicely to a propane distributor tech.
Not a big deal, since I had that thought, as well, but good advice for anyone who goes ???? when the gen set works not from the bottle. ^.^d The bottle is a great idea when sitting on the pier, but, if the gen needs help, nice to have some fuel in the big tank, which is why I put in the bottle, and kept a 1/2 tank of storage, just in case.
Aux propane bottle has quit, just filled, no furnaces, no stove. Went to the big tank, fine. Hmm, looked at the el cheapo gauge I got last year, could smell that smell and the gauge was not where it should have been, being full. Went back to the big box and found another, same brand, all they had, and installed it. Fine, so far. The original lasted barely a year, guess where it was made?
Did it quit right after you filled it. If so try again sometimes the ball check valve sticks and you have to really tighten where it goes to the tank.
Mike. is the photo one you just took of the main tank as the gauge shows lots of fuel in it. we can run more than a month with that much.
JohnH