A few questions about propane hookups....

[i4Marc]

I've been away from making knives for a couple of years while I fix up the shop space at my new address (Southeast United States). I'm just about ready to get back to work and hook up the propane cylinder. Since it has been awhile I need my memory refreshed. I'll be using a 100lb cylinder and I have black pipe going from the tank location to the forge location. For the tank connection, here are my questions.....

Do I need a two stage regulator?

What pressures should the regulator and pressure gauge be rated for?

Will I need a POL to QCC adapter?

What else do I need to consider?




Thanks

 

[bladegrinder]

Depending on how far away the tank is, most residential tank sets have one reg at the tank that knocks down tank pressure to #10 going to the house, at the entrance to the house there is a reg that knocks it down from #10 to 11 inches water column. In your case I’d do the same except instead use a second stage reg at the entrance to your shop that can knock it down to pounds instead of inches water column. Unless of course your tank is just outside your shop and the piping run isn’t long from the tank to your shop.

 

[i4Marc]

Depending on how far away the tank is, most residential tank sets have one reg at the tank that knocks down tank pressure to #10 going to the house, at the entrance to the house there is a reg that knocks it down from #10 to 11 inches water column. In your case I’d do the same except instead use a second stage reg at the entrance to your shop that can knock it down to pounds instead of inches water column. Unless of course your tank is just outside your shop and the piping run isn’t long from the tank to your shop.

I will be using a yellow flexible appliance hook up hose from tank, which is outside the building on a covered slab, to 3/4" hard line. The hard line travels 18 feet in a straight line with slight rise where it enters the shop building at 90˚ and travels another 18 feet overhead to another 90˚ elbow and drops straight down approximately 3 feet to the valves. I will be using 12 foot steel braided propane hose from the valve to the forge.

 

[bladegrinder]

You should be ok using a first stage reg at the tank, knocking it down to #10. Make sure that yellow appliance line is rated for #10 to try and stay within codes and keep your homeowners insurance company is happy. A lot of connectors and valves are rated for a half pound. I’m not sure but I think your only allowed to run up to #2 into a residential building but I would definitely put a second stage regulator entering your shop, one you can adjust for poundage. Then you can adjust it down from #10 to whatever you want.

 

[bladegrinder]

I don’t have a propane forge but I believe most that do have another regulator and or a needle valve near the forge to adjust it as it come up to running temperature, I’m sure you’ll get more advice soon as folks see this thread.