[solved] Prepper propane connection 'secret' found.

[Lumos]

Disclaimer:
I've done plenty of plumbing work with with propane and other gasses - so yes, I know how to do so safely and that is not the info which I'm seeking.

Addendum - a day later=>
Solution found, see my follow-up below for more info.


What I am hoping for is that there are others here who are into the whole 'prepper' thing enough so that they've discovered how to do what I'm seeking and will share that 'secret', please.

Here in the north country smart folks who are able have backup plans for heat, light and cooking for anytime there is an extended electrical utility outage.

In the past, as apartment dwellers we always had a wood stove, upon which we could also cook in a jam, and that covered 2 out of 3 needs.

Sadly that place got sold right out from under us and we found a neat little place which we could still somehow afford the rent for, but...
It is 100% all electricity dependent.

The main heating system DOES use propane - but without power it is a big cold zero, so...

Scenario:
It is mid-winter, 0°F or lower outdoors, and a big storm or something roars through, leaving us with none of the above AND a time limit before the inside is too much like the outside.

We've got a couple of BBQ size propane tanks as well as a couple of small heaters, a portable stove, a lantern and bulk adapters to make that work indoors in an emergency, which may last for a day or so.

And if it is an extended outage with severe weather, then what ??
Ooopsy.

Sadly, the really big, full tanks of propane sitting outside our back wall are ONLY piped into the furnace - but that can easily be changed with the addition if a tee or 3, some copper tubing, valves, regulators, and 'X'...

It is that 'X' which I need to be pointed at, please, if anyone here is able to.

Portable propane devices come with connections aimed at little bottles, and are able to connect to bigger 'bottles' via a bulk adapter hose, but that is ONLY good for 20/30 pound propane tanks NOT main plumbing.

For camping that is great, but for home use when it may take over a week to get the power back on - not good enough at all.

The best way I can describe the mysterious 'X' is=>
Some sort of transition fitting which connects via flare type fitting to a branch of the copper main line at one end, and has the equivalent of the top of a small propane bottle at the other end.
(Alternatively the 'bottle' end could instead have a female coupling to match the male tank end of a bulk adapter hose...)

Once that connection is in hand - presto - weeks of small time heating, cooking and light then become possible MINUS the usual power need.

Having very reliable power and internet can get even an old country boy like myself to be quite 'spoiled' - until that oooopsy comes along, of course.

And...just to be clear=>
We do not have and do not want to have an electric generator.

for any helpful pointers !!

[Lumos]

OK folks - secret of 'X' found !!

Simply doing a whole bunch of searching revealed the correct terminology - that enabled me to find the EXACT fitting needed to make this happen, and it looks like this:



Specifications:
Connection 1: 1LB tank type connector (1" x 20 male throwaway cylinder thread)
Connection 2: 3/8" Male flare connector(5/8"-18UNF Thread)

Adding this after it=>



Will then allow temporary appliances to connect safely with the existing plumbing after some careful mods are added.

Further, this concept can easily be verified as working with a 2nd one of the above brass fittings connected to this:



And a 20# tank temporarily.

Of course this 2nd adapter type can also be very handy in allowing safe refilling of the 1# bottles directly from a BBQ tank as well.

Phew. Problem solved for now.

Perhaps this info may help anyone else wanting to be ready for an extended power outage.
.
.
Enjoy and Prosper in Perfect Health !!

[Archon]

Thank you my brother for sharing your wisdom to help others!!

Would a

1. gas regulator to regulate the pressure within a certain psi
2. shutoff valve

be something helpful to add?

Always best to be prepared ahead of time bro.

[Lumos]

Greetings and Thanks Archon.
You've asked some very wise questions, thanks.

Most portable propane appliances - like my examples of camp stoves, small heaters and lanterns all attach directly to the 1 pound propane cylinders, so they either already have their own pressure regulators, or do not require any visible regulator (as in lanterns).

Having a local regulator AFTER an added regulator tends to become highly problematic.

When a house is already plumbed for propane - there is a regulator at the outlet from the tank(s), normally - so the interior plumbing is already at a regulated pressure.

As to shutoff valves - yes - at any point where the house's line is tapped for temporary uses this is a necessity - and at any point where a flare fitting for a flexible line as pictured above attaches, both a valve AND a cap fitting for when it is not being used are the smartest arrangements.

I didn't mention any of this above simply because anyone who is wanting to do any plumbing work with any sort of gasseous material must make the efforts to learn the safety practices BEFORE making for any sort of terrible accident.

Pro tip:
Techs who routinely run any sort of propane or refrigerant lines know about this stuff:



Just a very thin coating of it on a sealing surface acts as 'insurance' of making a very tight, safe seal at any properly made connection.
.
.
Enjoy and Prosper in Perfect Health !!

[mthomas]

My two cents....
A friend had a BBQ in his backyard that was fueled with gas, he had the line coming out of his home via a copper tube. When he had his backyard upgraded with a patio/roof, etc. the contractor told him that the copper tubing coming out of his home should have had a gas-tight sleeve on it to prevent the brick from corroding through the pipe.....better safe than sorry!

[Lumos]

Yes, there are many important details about passing lines from outdoors to indoors...

Please note that the topic here is aimed at indoors to indoors only, as the main propane line being discussed would be tapped and further plumbed only within interior spaces.

So:
Depending upon location, climate and building materials (masonry vs. wood, etc.) re-doing a gas line as mentioned by MThomas could possible involve removal of a portion of the existing line, re-drilling the opening, then replacing that section with the covered copper and properly sealing that home penetration against pests and climate.
Also, many installations use a flexible stainless steel type of connector between the end of the copper and the appliance itself - also for safety's sake.

Lastly for now=>
For some years already it is accepted as a common practice to use copper tubing for gas (as well as other flammables) which is jacketed and bright yellow in colour (for gas lines), which has offended many homeowners who see it as disagreeing with their chosen house colours - whilst having zero appreciation towards the importance of keeping a gas line visible and safe.

There are many safety considerations and they vary according to locale and their building codes - which of course must be known by workers who deal with all of that and who typically also must be insured and/or bonded to handle such situations.

Modifications made by homeowners tend to be done however they'd prefer and within their budgets - whether or not they conform to local codes.

[osmanal2]

Interesting topic. Thanks for sharing such the useful information. Appreciate and reputation given...

[Archon]

Thank you so much brother Smithnowt
for all your genuineness and wisdom,
always.

I was aware of what you mentioned but
you know how it is, at least it is here
so people will learn it first hand from
you who is experienced and they won't
have to go searching for the information
they don't know they don't know.

If they only listen...

I hope this covids everything!!

[Lumos]

Greetings and Thanks for your kind replies Archon.

I knew some of the stuff posted here already, but=>
Identifying the specific connection size and finding that brass fitting took a bit of work - as well as it making the whole idea possible.

Since our place is 100% electric dependent, if the lights and heat go out now that we are having our 1st snow of this year...sitting around in the cold and dark waiting for things to work again is very, very unappealing.

To even have 1 room in our tiny place be heated a little and have some light is a start for us.

I'll also deal with getting a small and portable cook stove hooked up this way because right now in any time of need we'd have to bring our grill inside to use it's side burner to make any food.

Of course when it is winter here there is always 'the big refrigerator' - so putting foods from the unpowered inside one in totes and/or coolers on the back porch can keep foods from spoiling during any longer outage.

[Archon]

Good you have the foresight to plan ahead for such an emergency which is not if, but
only a matter of when it will happen. It IS very scary to be in this situation and
there is no outside assistance but self reliance to save you.

The carbon monoxide detector is also good idea. At least even a way to make sure your
phone is charged for communication.

Many people are unprepared and wait until it too late. You are a great inspiration for us
all Smithnowt to learn from your wisdom.