Originally Posted by
SOCOM42
This is an update, much added.
I am using 100 pound tanks, two on each system, one set for kitchen stove and one set for this heater.
The heater regulator is a crossover type,
runs on one tank and automatically changes over to the full one when first is empty, second valve must be open.
Kitchen has standard type regulator, I keep one tank off until first runs out.
It takes about nine months to empty one at my cooking rate.
I do not use the stove's oven, uses way too much gas.
I also have two 100 pounders tied into my #1 use genset and two spares for whatever needs them.
After I see how the new heater works out this winter,
I may well put in a 100 gallon tank to support the heater only, will do it myself, like everything else.
The prime here is the direct heat generated no intermediate stage,
it takes 4 minutes to heat the heat exchanger in the oil furnace.
That time would be used already heating rooms and would have reached thermostat cutout temp.
Oil will be used to keep the new water pipes from freezing, they run underneath alongside the heat ducting.
On the refill of smaller tanks, I hoist a 20 pound tank upside down on a chainfall.
I have made custom hose lines to do the fill.
The disposable one pounders are a waste of time, get the refillable ones, the others leak out.
I did ten of them and lost all the fuel in them.
On the 100 pound tanks, if you get them, get the MULTI FILL valve installed in them,
Propane suppliers need the second inlet if you have deliveries from them,
they will not disconnect the POL line to fill.
The POL side is used for hooking up to your appliances, it is just like the one your BBQ tank has.
All the tanks are mine, I just have them filled by the same company as for my oil.
About 40 years ago I had a battle with my first propane supplier,
they were bitching I was not using enough fuel and wanted to take out the 100 pound tanks.
This was after I had them remove the 1,000 gallon tank that was used to heat my shop, went to oil.
I made them wait for them to be empty, then put in my own set.