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Message
Propane standy generator regulator
Posted on 10/26/26 at 10:14 pm
Posted on 10/26/26 at 10:14 pm
I have a 250 gal propane tank that I run the stove/range and on demand water heater. I have the company intstalled regulator on a 3/4" black pipe that feeds the house. I want to install a 14,000 watt emergency generator within close proximity to the tank. My simple mind says to put a tee on the black pipe and install a connection for the generator. The gas company said that would be fine. I've been reading tonight and it suggest a two stage regulator will be required.
How do you know what will be needed to run the generator and the two items in the house?
Any guidance is appreciated.
How do you know what will be needed to run the generator and the two items in the house?
Any guidance is appreciated.
Posted on 10/27/26 at 10:38 am to Blanding
I'm just a former engineer with no specific generator installation experience.
I think you're making this harder on yourself than it needs to be.
A 14 kW generator is basically another large propane appliance. The propane system has to be able to supply the generator, water heater and range at the same time. Whether your existing 3/4" line and regulator can do that depends on the regulator you already have, the length of the pipe, and the gas requirements of the generator.
There are standard ways of installing these. A typical setup has the propane pressure reduced in stages between the tank and the generator. Since your generator is going to be close to the tank, it may make more sense to give the generator its own properly sized branch and regulator rather than simply teeing into the existing low-pressure line feeding the house.
I wouldn't try to determine the regulator and pipe size yourself unless you're familiar with propane systems. I'd give the propane company or a generator installer the exact generator model, tell them you have a 250-gallon tank plus a tankless water heater and range, and ask them to size the fuel supply for it. Someone who routinely installs standby generators should be able to look at what you already have and tell you pretty quickly whether the existing regulator can handle it or whether another regulator/line is needed.
One other thing: have them confirm that the 250-gallon tank is large enough to vaporize propane fast enough for the generator in cold weather and at lower tank levels. That's separate from just having enough gallons of propane in the tank.
The gas company's statement that you can put a tee there may be correct, but I'd want the person actually doing the installation to verify the regulator capacity and gas pressure under load rather than assuming the existing 3/4" line is adequate.
I think you're making this harder on yourself than it needs to be.
A 14 kW generator is basically another large propane appliance. The propane system has to be able to supply the generator, water heater and range at the same time. Whether your existing 3/4" line and regulator can do that depends on the regulator you already have, the length of the pipe, and the gas requirements of the generator.
There are standard ways of installing these. A typical setup has the propane pressure reduced in stages between the tank and the generator. Since your generator is going to be close to the tank, it may make more sense to give the generator its own properly sized branch and regulator rather than simply teeing into the existing low-pressure line feeding the house.
I wouldn't try to determine the regulator and pipe size yourself unless you're familiar with propane systems. I'd give the propane company or a generator installer the exact generator model, tell them you have a 250-gallon tank plus a tankless water heater and range, and ask them to size the fuel supply for it. Someone who routinely installs standby generators should be able to look at what you already have and tell you pretty quickly whether the existing regulator can handle it or whether another regulator/line is needed.
One other thing: have them confirm that the 250-gallon tank is large enough to vaporize propane fast enough for the generator in cold weather and at lower tank levels. That's separate from just having enough gallons of propane in the tank.
The gas company's statement that you can put a tee there may be correct, but I'd want the person actually doing the installation to verify the regulator capacity and gas pressure under load rather than assuming the existing 3/4" line is adequate.
Posted on 10/27/26 at 5:42 pm to RoyalWe
quote:
RoyalWe
That’s all very good advice. Sounds like you have some gas system design experience!
Posted on 10/27/26 at 7:25 pm to Spankum
I was a Process Engineer for a long time, so yeah, this is in my wheelhouse. Love me a Crane TP-410.
Posted on 10/27/26 at 7:44 pm to RoyalWe
RoyalWe
Thank you! I repost when the process is complete.
Thank you! I repost when the process is complete.
Posted on 10/27/26 at 9:13 pm to RoyalWe
quote:
A 14 kW generator is basically another large propane appliance. The propane system has to be able to supply the generator, water heater and range at the same time.
First off great post, I didn’t come to argue. I just wanted to add that he wouldn’t HAVE to run all 3 at the same time unless he just wants to be an OT baller. You could fairly easily turn the generator off to run the water heater and range. It may not be THAT simple as I know the range may take some power, or may not. Water heaters depend also.
I also wanted to add, that OP you need to confirm how long you can run the generator off 250 gallons. It’s likely less time than you think. I’m not suggesting against it, I just wanted to point out that it’s not going to allow you to live weeks on end. Now it can be refilled certainly. But again just good info to know.
Posted on 10/27/26 at 9:15 pm to Blanding
quote:
How do you know what will be needed to run the generator and the two items in the house?
The gas company should be able to help. Also, the gas companies almost always have guys that work for them that do this work on the side. They also will have contractors that do it. I’ve found that their recommended guys are almost always cheaper than just calling a random plumber to do it. Their side hustle guys are usually the cheapest.
Posted on 10/28/26 at 5:36 am to baldona
I actually did that calculation but since he didn’t ask and it was in the range of “okay” I didn’t share. When I get to my desk I’ll pull it up.
EDIT:
250-gallon tank full is about 200 gallons (80% capacity). Using a Generac 14 kW generator as an example, it consumes about 2.9 gallons per hour at full load and 1.8 gallons per hour at half load. That works out to roughly 3 days at full load or almost 5 days at half load, running continuously.
Realistically, you probably won't be running anywhere near full load most of the time. If you're strategic about electricity usage, particularly air conditioning and other large electrical loads, you could stretch that considerably. Keep the refrigerator, lights, fans, and a few other essentials running requires relatively little electricity.
So, it's 3 to 5 days as a rough starting point with the possibility of more if you're careful. Water heater and stove usage will also obviously reduce the runtime.
The actual generator model will make a difference, so check your model's published fuel consumption figures.
Generac Fuel Consumption
EDIT:
250-gallon tank full is about 200 gallons (80% capacity). Using a Generac 14 kW generator as an example, it consumes about 2.9 gallons per hour at full load and 1.8 gallons per hour at half load. That works out to roughly 3 days at full load or almost 5 days at half load, running continuously.
Realistically, you probably won't be running anywhere near full load most of the time. If you're strategic about electricity usage, particularly air conditioning and other large electrical loads, you could stretch that considerably. Keep the refrigerator, lights, fans, and a few other essentials running requires relatively little electricity.
So, it's 3 to 5 days as a rough starting point with the possibility of more if you're careful. Water heater and stove usage will also obviously reduce the runtime.
The actual generator model will make a difference, so check your model's published fuel consumption figures.
Generac Fuel Consumption
This post was edited on 10/28/26 at 6:43 am
Posted on 10/28/26 at 9:45 am to Blanding
The generator has a regulator on it. I’m a Briggs and Stratton Energy solutions dealer if you haven’t purchased yet. Homeimpbydl@gmail.com
Posted on 10/28/26 at 1:07 pm to dillpickleLSU
quote:
The generator has a regulator on it.
I'm not a gas engineer or anything but I have some commercial gas equipment, but you generally have a main regulator and then each larger piece of equipment has its own smaller one also. Your main has to be properly sized also
Posted on 10/28/26 at 4:49 pm to baldona
The generator is going to require a specified inches of water column. Easiest thing to do is install the line to the correct size which if it’s a short run either 3/4 or 1 inch will be fine, a test port should be included in the install and test it with a manometer
This post was edited on 10/28/26 at 4:50 pm
Posted on 10/28/26 at 8:30 pm to Blanding
The generator uses about 275,000 btu's at full load. You already have a 2 stage regulator on you're tank that will need to be rated for 275,000 plus the btus of your other appliances. The regulator on your tank is probably between 500k-1M btus but be sure to check the model number/specs or call the gas company to be sure.
Once you have the correct regulator on your tank, tee off from the main line, run the correct size/type pipe or flex connector and hook it up to the regulator at the generator.
Once you have the correct regulator on your tank, tee off from the main line, run the correct size/type pipe or flex connector and hook it up to the regulator at the generator.
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