Gas Supply to Grill

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Jasonmcl

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I would like to add a 90,000 BTU natural gas grill to my patio. I already have a 1/2” stub on the patio that is 85 feet from the manifold. The piping is 1/2” and is run out of Parker PGP-8 flexible piping. My main gas meter indicates 5 psig and is run to a Maxitrol 325-5A regulator through 3/4“ flexible pipe that is approximately 50 feet in length. After the Maxitrol regulator there is a manifold consisting of 3 furnaces, water heater, gas log, and stub to patio. My question is can I supply enough gas for my grill through the 1/2 “ line? thanks

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Shacko

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Your question is more complicated than you think. That 5lb.psi you are reading is probably the incoming pressure to the meter, the regulator should tell you the pressure going to your system, from that point you have to figure the total load on the system fixture x fixture and size of pipe till you get to your proposed hook up, then your question can be answered.


BTW your links do not work, you have to use something like potobucket.
 
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Jadnashua

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If I had to guess (and if you calculate you won't have to), my guess is no way would you supply the proper amount of gas to that big grill with 1/2" at that distance.

For one that big, it probably says in the instructions at least a 3/4" line, and you might need more. This might mean a new meter, too.
 

hj

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Not here. They tell you that if you are qualified to install the line, you are also smart enough to figure the size. Well, you figure it ,and the city inspection department okays it. But normally you would either have 1/4 psi or 2 psi in your system. Houses NEVER have a 5 psi system, that is reserved for large commercial systems.
 

Jasonmcl

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Based on charts and the 1/2 psi after the regulator I don't think it will be enough for an 85 ft run Can I tie into the gas line before the regulator in the attic and then add a regulator at the grill? The higher pressure should allow the BTUs needed.
 

Jasonmcl

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I would definately have a plumber install if a new tie in needs to be added. I am just trying to determine my capabilites.
 

NHmaster

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Not here. They tell you that if you are qualified to install the line, you are also smart enough to figure the size. Well, you figure it ,and the city inspection department okays it. But normally you would either have 1/4 psi or 2 psi in your system. Houses NEVER have a 5 psi system, that is reserved for large commercial systems.

Same here, and probably just about everywhere. What I was delicately trying to say is call the gas company and have them do the work. I would have all that CSST removed at the same time, but that's just my natural prejudice against products proven to have failed with tragic results.
 

hj

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The 5 psi on the regulator is its MAXIMUM rated capacity. Over 5 psi it would lockup and shut off all flow. Our gas company does NOTHING after the meter, except tell you that you have a leak and locks the meter until it is repaired and the city approves the lock being removed. The only problem with CSST is that it is not perfect. I had a stucco company shoot 3 staples into one of my installations. It took a leak detection company to find where they were.
 

dlh

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i dont like the looks of that installation as far as the csst goes. looks very unprofessional
 

Shacko

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Gas Regulator

The 5 psi on the regulator is its MAXIMUM rated capacity. Over 5 psi it would lockup and shut off all flow. Our gas company does NOTHING after the meter, except tell you that you have a leak and locks the meter until it is repaired and the city approves the lock being removed. The only problem with CSST is that it is not perfect. I had a stucco company shoot 3 staples into one of my installations. It took a leak detection company to find where they were.

hj: If you get a close look at the regulator you will see 6-10 inches on it a little less tha 1/2lb., that may be why the owner thinks he has 5lb, he's missing those numbers. :)
 

DavidMc

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You've got 2psi coming through the meter up to the Maxitrol regulator. Like some others have said, at 85' the 1/2" pipe is not going to carry that load. If you could tie in before the regulator like someone suggested and install a seperate Maxitrol at the grill and it would work. As far as meter size, your borderline at capacity now, but chances are every gas appliance won't be running at the same time anyway, but you should inform the local gas co. just in case they would prefer to change it out.
I would also think your at or near the capacity of the existing Maxitrol appliance regulator with the other appliances you mentioned.

Good luck with the project , sounds like a heck of a grill :)


http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/natural-gas-pipe-calculator-d_1042.html

http://www.gpta.net/Classes/Gas%20sizing/Gaspipe%20Sizing.pdf
 

Ian Gills

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I bet that stub once ran a "gas powered air conditioner".

My neighbor used to have one of these and for the life of me I cannot figure how it worked.

Does anyone know?
 

NHmaster

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2 lbs. is the max inlet to the meter, not necessarily what he has coming into it. The only way to tell for sure is to put a manometer on the down stream side of the meter. 5lbs is the max inlet for the regulator. Either way, messing with gas is a good way to burn the house down. Call a pro and sleep at night.
 

hj

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a/c

It was an adsorbic air conditioner. Some buildings here have gas powered generators or compressors and they use the heat from the exhaust to power the A/C just like the gas did. The old Servel refrigerators and modern RV refrigerators work the same way.
 

Tjbaudio

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I bet that stub once ran a "gas powered air conditioner".

My neighbor used to have one of these and for the life of me I cannot figure how it worked.

Does anyone know?

I think there are 2 ways to do it. One is to just use the gas to run an engine to drive the compressor. The other is Absorption Cooling. http://www.gasairconditioning.org/absorption_how_it_works.htm

I figure any home unit at that age would be the first type. But that is just a guess on my part.
 

NHmaster

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The gas powered refrigeration cycle uses a combination of ammonia and water instead of the more common refrigerants. The ammonia and water are mixed and the heat from the gas flame boils the ammonia as the ammonia boils the water separates from it and returns to the reservoir. The ammonia moves into the evap coil, and expands to a gas. RV refrigerators use heating elements AC or DC or a propane flame. There is no compressor or for that matter, moving parts.
 

DavidMc

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2 lbs. is the max inlet to the meter, not necessarily what he has coming into it. The only way to tell for sure is to put a manometer on the down stream side of the meter. 5lbs is the max inlet for the regulator. Either way, messing with gas is a good way to burn the house down. Call a pro and sleep at night.

Actually 5psi is the max recommended inlet pressure for that meter and it is metering at (or near) 2psi - It has a 2lb pressure compensating index on it. Good advice to call a pro - if your not qualified to do the gas fitting, please call a certified gas fitter.
 
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