Best Blackhat Forum

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 !!

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.
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Enjoy and Prosper in Perfect Health !!

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.

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.
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Enjoy and Prosper in Perfect Health !!

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!

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

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!!

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.