Is it OK to keep a propane tank in the garage for running my ceiling mounted Modine garage heater, or does it need to be outside. I am getting rid of the big one (400 gallon?) outside because of a $55/year tank rental fee and $75 low usage fee, and just bought a 100 lb tank that fits perfectly in the corner right below the heater (2-3' space between them).

If it needs to be outside, can I lay the tank horizontally or does it need to be vertical?

It should be kept outside especially with the furnace running.

It has to be vertical!

OK....good to know. Will I have to worry about a tank that large freezing in the winter?

I'm pretty sure that code in most areas is to have the tank outside. There may be requirements for distance from the building.

Can you adapt your 400 gallon piping to attach to the 100 tank?

Tank can vent off excess pressure as it warms up. Garage will go BOOM!

Not sure, but I guess I figured I could!!! I have not looked at it yet. The current tank is right next to the garage, and the heater is just inside the garage in that same location. It will only be about 4 feet of pipe to hook up the tank to the heater.

I will put it outside and see what I need to do once Ferral gas removes the old tank.

You'll want to get a "hat" to protect the regulator and valve. Your distributor may have something. We had a manufactured thing at the deer shack.

Looks like I will need to possibly purchase a regulator and hat.

311Hemi,

I have a 100lb tank just on the other side of my wall. I just drilled a hole in the siding and ran a pipe through it. I only use it during the winter and haven't had any problems with freeze up.

Good Luck,

Mike

You should be able to just unscrew the connection at the 500 gal tank and it will screw right into the 100 gal tank or for that matter it will screw into a 20 gal.no extras needed.

But will I need a regulator like the old tank had?

I have a female end thats left after they unscrewed the pipe from the old regulator, so if I don't need a regulator I will just have to get a female-male converter and I should be good to go.

The 100 lb tank has a female connection.

Yes, you will need a regulator.

Mike

Thanks Mike and all....I will pick up a regulator and cap!

OK, I got the line ran outside for the 100lb tank. Looking to hook it up now.

Anyone know what regulator I would need to run this 75k BTU garage heater?

I just got a Maxitrol 325-3-3/8 regulator which is rated up to 10 PSI Maximum Inlet Pressure. I don't really understand what this does, but I assume it keeps the pressure under 10psi.

Would this work...or do I need one with less or more?

Anyone know how long a 100 lb propane tank would run a heater of this capacity? I will only turn it on when I actually working in the garage.....which is not all that often.

You should be good at 10psi with LP. The tank needs to be out side. It also neehs to be chained to provent it from tipping over and making a nasty projectile. If it is on the driveway you will need to install a protection system to proctect it from getting hit. If you do all this you will meet fire code NFPA 54 and NFPA 56.