My Garage/Shop Heater Install

[Tractor Seabee]

She’s not as shapely as I hoped.

View attachment 648146

Hate to tell you this; but normally LP you use galv pipe not black like Nat Gas. Propane contains moisture and other corroding elements. Copper tube instead of aluminum as used on Nat gas also. When years ago I was a service tech we carried both in the truck. Don't overlook the drip legs at all low spots and connection drops to the control valve. Big box stores and hardware stores usually do know that stuff. I thing your yellow appliance connector is code for both. Your supplier will know when he goes to hook it up. I will also research this later as now I want know if things have changed. I am on Nat gas so don't even think about it.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

Hate to tell you this; but normally LP you use galv pipe not black like Nat Gas. Propane contains moisture and other corroding elements. Copper tube instead of aluminum as used on Nat gas also. When years ago I was a service tech we carried both in the truck. Don't overlook the drip legs at all low spots and connection drops to the control valve. Big box stores and hardware stores usually do know that stuff. I thing your yellow appliance connector is code for both. Your supplier will know when he goes to hook it up. I will also research this later as now I want know if things have changed. I am on Nat gas so don't even think about it.

Ron

Thanks for chiming in, Ron. Yeah I got a mixture. My fittings are galvanized. Pipe is black. Same as the house original installation in 1985. Do have drips and sloped my horizontal run back to the control valve. Figuring I am good for this install.

 

[ultrarunner]

Any plans to finish the drywall as this will be your home away from home?

I have found HVAC more expensive in Washington than the Bay Area... which I was not expecting.

 

[dragoneggs]

Any plans to finish the drywall as this will be your home away from home?

I have found HVAC more expensive in Washington than the Bay Area... which I was not expecting.

Yes, at some point I am going to pull everything out (two day job?) into the driveway... and mud, spray, and paint a nice bright white. This detached 2 car garage 24' by 28' was not part of the original construction and although the construction of the structure is good (6in studs and nice roof trusses, the drywall job was poor.

I could have done far better. Was slapped together poorly. Some panels jammed in with crushed edges. Many screws missing the trusses. Gonna take a lot of mud and texture to hide it. Not worth tearing out the drywall but I will be fighting it unless I hire it out. I hate drywalling and especially the finishing.

 

[grsthegreat]

We use black iron pipe for both lp and nat gas here in idaho. Don’t use galv pipe for any gas work

 

[ultrarunner]

Brother's home was a previous rental and took the exterior walls down to the studs while he was living there to insulate, upgrade electrical/data and new windows...

It really made a huge difference back in 1992... Did all the work except drywall texture which he had a friend in the trade.

A coat of Zinsser Mildewgard is my go-to paint...

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Any plans to finish the drywall as this will be your home away from home?

I have found HVAC more expensive in Washington than the Bay Area... which I was not expecting.

Hard to figure out. Labor cost is close to or probably higher in the Bay area. Almost all the residential and light commercial mechanical work up here is non-union also, should lower labor cost somewhat. Maybe HVAC is a luxury here not an essential. A lot of new heating in subdivisions now is Mini split heat pumps. Reminds me of the old days of wall heaters of various types. Give me forced air to all rooms for comfort. But then the cost goes up exponentially.

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Thanks for chiming in, Ron. Yeah I got a mixture. My fittings are galvanized. Pipe is black. Same as the house original installation in 1985. Do have drips and sloped my horizontal run back to the control valve. Figuring I am good for this install.

Mark, I did some research on my diatribe. Goes to show you what was gospel in the 40s-60s has now evolved. Today all underground is one of the plastic materials not metal more by use than code. The NFPA code basically calls for black iron or one of the manufactured systems. Ignore everything I said, I am still in the dark ages. My later pipefitting trade was all heavy commercial and industrial and interior gas work was done by the plumbers.

Ron

 

[ovrszd]

We use black iron pipe for both lp and nat gas here in idaho. Don’t use galv pipe for any gas work

Yep, here too. Locals say the galvanizing will flake off and cause problems.

 

[dragoneggs]

Well tomorrow is the tank delivery day. Thought I was going to have to wait until Wednesday due for my Digital Manometer delivery.

It unexpectedly arrived today even though Amazon Prime was quoting Wednesday (ordered it late Saturday!). Bought a cheapo one but it got great reviews. 'Professional models were well over $100 and though I crave quality tools, this falls into the category of it only has to work for one job and the rest is gravy. Just have to check the intake pressure and adjust the manifold pressure because of the NatGas to LP conversion.

Manometer, RISEPRO Digital Air Pressure Meter and Differential Pressure Gauge HVAC Gas Pressure Tester: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Hope to go 'live' with heat tomorrow evening!