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Old 11-12-2021, 10:31 AM   #1
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Can I use my MH propane tank to supply a shop heater?

I have a wood working shop right next to where I store my motorhome. The shop has a LP heater that is adequate for the North Carolina winters. Two years ago I had the 200 gallon propane tank taken away due to the high rental cost since I used very little propane (I only use the shop for a few hours a week).


The motorhome has a LP tank with 31 gallons usable capacity. When traveling we use very little propane unless we are in cold climate with no electrical hookup.


I am considering connecting the shop heater to the motorhome LP tank probably connecting the outlet of the regulator on the motorhome tank directly to the heater in the shop. I would install a quick connect fitting at the tank and use a flexible hose to connect to a second quick connect to the piping at the shop.


Has anyone else done something like this? What problems will I encounter other than having to make certain I do not drain the Motorhome tank before I leave on a trip with the Motorhome?
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Old 11-12-2021, 10:35 AM   #2
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You should not have any problems doing so other than using all the propane in your coach. Can't you just go out and buy a couple of smaller tanks and use those instead of going through the work of fittings, etc.
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Old 11-12-2021, 10:40 AM   #3
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You will need to determine whether your shop heater has its own regulator or if there was a regulator on the old tank.


Said another way, does the heater require Liquid LP/high pressure vapor LP OR low pressure vapor (like your RV appliances).


For the first two (Liquid/high pressure vapor), you can T between the tank and RV house regulator. Unless the heater requires a huge flow of propane, the high pressure vapor will be just fine. Have used that to run an Onan 6.5 KW liquid propane generator-- so that flow rate/consumption is fine.


If low pressure= RV appliance pressure, the T will be after your RV regulator.
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Old 11-12-2021, 10:43 AM   #4
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Tractor supply sells 20, 30, and 100 lb tanks.

Pick up one of them and a regulator rated for the shop heaters btu input.

Don't know if your RV one is rated high enough, depending on the shop heater.
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Old 11-12-2021, 10:52 AM   #5
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AS mentioned....

What is the btu ratings for the shop heater?
*MH LP Reg is rated for roughly 200,000 btu

Does shop heater have it's own LP Reg?
*tying into MH LP System Downstream of Main Reg then no Reg on shop heater
*tying into MH LP System Upstream of Main Reg then shop heater needs a Reg

***IF tying into High Pressure Side of LP System then Supply hoses/lines longer then 5' should have 30# Reg to drop MAIN Tank Pressure so High Tank Pressure doesn't condense back into Liquid Propane due to long hose length
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Old 11-12-2021, 11:35 AM   #6
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You need to know propane consumption. Small tanks are limited in how rapidly they can supply propane due to the conversion from liquid to gas which takes place over the surface area of the liquid. Tank temperature significantly affects this rate.
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Old 11-12-2021, 12:01 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Jkwilson1989 View Post
You need to know propane consumption. Small tanks are limited in how rapidly they can supply propane due to the conversion from liquid to gas which takes place over the surface area of the liquid. Tank temperature significantly affects this rate.
That is what btu ratings are all about
Shop Heater vs Regulator
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Old 11-12-2021, 12:19 PM   #8
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I would think you could use one of the adapters like "Extend a stay" for the purpose but I bow to the greater knowledge of others here as far as needing regulators and such.

After buying a 100 lb. tank for our fireplace I then found out my local LP supplier refills "forklift" LP tanks for a reduced price. So in the long term I would have come ahead buying a pair of those used. Plus they are a lot easier to tote. Doh!
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Old 11-12-2021, 02:00 PM   #9
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I would think you could use one of the adapters like "Extend a stay" for the purpose but I bow to the greater knowledge of others here as far as needing regulators and such.

After buying a 100 lb. tank for our fireplace I then found out my local LP supplier refills "forklift" LP tanks for a reduced price. So in the long term I would have come ahead buying a pair of those used. Plus they are a lot easier to tote. Doh!
Most fork lift tanks are designed for liquid propane use.
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Old 11-12-2021, 06:09 PM   #10
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Oddly enough, they won't sell me any propane that is NOT liquid.
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Old 11-12-2021, 06:14 PM   #11
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Quote:
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Most fork lift tanks are designed for liquid propane use.
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Originally Posted by GypsyR View Post
Oddly enough, they won't sell me any propane that is NOT liquid.
That's why 'fork lift' cylinders are mounted horizontally so liquid is drawn off to feed the fork lift carbs where vaporization occurs

Horizontal cylinders for RV's are different then 'fork lift' ones
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Old 11-12-2021, 06:19 PM   #12
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Have you considered how and when you'll get the MH tank refilled? My LP distributor will fill my MH tank when he is here filling my home 1,000G LP tank, but he will not come just to fill the MH tank.
Have you read the heater nameplate to learn its consumption rate to compare against your 31G MH tank?
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Old 11-12-2021, 06:22 PM   #13
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I have seen 20 and 30 lb horizontal vapor service DOT cylinders, but not anything larger than that.

Edit: Check that - Flame King makes 40 lb and 100 lb DOT cylinders that can be used horizontally or vertically, and have wheels.

https://flameking.com/product/40lb-hog-2/

https://flameking.com/product/ysn100hog-2/
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Old 11-12-2021, 06:49 PM   #14
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Oddly enough, they won't sell me any propane that is NOT liquid.
If you decide to use a forklift tank, stand back from the stove when you light it.

Liquid propane in a vapor system burns HOT and high.
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