Reply With QuoteHas anyone out there done this? I've been hearing conflicting information.
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Tankless system using 100# propane bottle?
My home isn't fitted for gas so, I wanted to know if it was feasible to run a Paloma LP tankless water heater (7.4gpm / 19,000-199,000btu) using a 100 pound propane bottle?
Last edited by konasean; 04-13-2012 at 01:29 PM.
Has anyone out there done this? I've been hearing conflicting information.
Last edited by konasean; 04-22-2012 at 01:21 PM.
I run a small Bosch on 20lb LP tanks. It is rated at 75,000 btu. I am using 3/8" black steel for the gas supply. Everything works fine and has been flawless for 2 years.
If you sized appropriately (regulator and gas supply piping) for your btu, you should be fine.
Konasean--it depends on how cold it is around your tank, and how many btu's you are drawing. The smaller the tank(i.e the less gas you have) the warmer it has to be to emit the high btu's of a tankless heater. Even a 5 gallon tank may emit enough btu's to work in cold temps but you'll only be able to use part of the tank before it freezes up. http://www.wardburner.com/tankfreeze.html
Last edited by Larcals45; 07-19-2012 at 09:13 AM.
Hi Abel,--Could you tell me at how low a temperature you have been able to totally empty those 5 gallon tanks at your max of 75k btu's? I assume you mean just one tank at a time is being consumed, that you are not linking them together. Thinking about a similiar rugged setup. Thanks
Last edited by Larcals45; 07-19-2012 at 09:16 AM.
199,000btu would not last very long on a small bottle like that.Originally Posted by konasean
You should get a real tank, or use NG.
Don't pay someone to do a job fast, when you can do a half-fast job yourself.
25 gallons (i.e, 100 lb tank) is 2,300,000 btu's. A good ballpark is 100k/hour to heat water for a shower. If take 10 minute showers thats 16,600 btu per shower or 138 showers per tank. Many people have transport issues. Go without a hot shower for a few years and you might think that tank is real enough.
Last edited by Larcals45; 07-23-2012 at 08:32 AM.
True that.25 gallons is 2,300,000 btu's. A good ballpark is 100k/hour to heat water for a shower. If take 10 minute showers thats 16,600 btu per shower or 138 showers per tank. Many people have transport issues. Go without a shower for a few years and you might think that tank is real enough.
You could only shop at Wal-Mart if you go without a shower for a few years.
Then you would be happy to exchange a 5 Gallon tank at WM for $20.00 or so.
I would take a cold shower than none at all.
Years ago people washed in the rivers and creeks and had the sun to warm them.
Don't pay someone to do a job fast, when you can do a half-fast job yourself.
I have the 3.8 gallon Rinnai >>outdoor<< unit running from a 215 gallon LP tank using a high-pressure system. I have 10psi to the house through 3/4 inch underground plastic gas pipe, and then 1/2 inch black iron inside the cabin and through the wall to the unit. Pressure regulator is at the unit. Absolutely no problems with condensation on the pipe, or of getting enough BTUs to the unit even in the coldest weather. There's no reason you can't use a portable tank.
I see you live in Hawaii. Evaporation of the liquid is the concern in the tank to deliver BTU's. Given its warm there Heres some figures,
Good at 35 degrees, 10% fill
Good at 25 degrees 20% fill
Good at 20 degrees 30% fill
I'm sure it will work fine
If Payback is so important to you, why are you not driving a Toyota Corolla?
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