On 10/2/2012 8:10 AM, HeyBub wrote:
Atila Iskander wrote:

At about $600 for the generator, you can buy a bigger one and a
separate conversion kit for less and be able to run either NG, LP or
gasoline More flexibility for the same price.

What is the recommended pipe diameter to feed a generator using natural gas?
I suspect 1/4" would be too small, but would 1" be overkill?

I found a NG space heater at an auction ($10) and that's providing the
incentive to re-plumb a gas line to supply the master bedroom. While I'm at
that task, it would be straightforward to extend the new gas line around the
house corner to the vicinity of the electrical distribution system where I
plug in my generator.



Most residential gas meters have a regulator mounted with them that is
set for 6-8" WC "water column" which is about 1/2 psi. This requires a
3/4" line for most stoves, furnaces and water heaters. When I was
installing a lot of generators in homes and businesses, I would get the
gas company to install a 2psi gas meter so I could get enough gas
pressure and volume to run the generators. The Generac units I was
installing needed 11" WC to operate properly and because of the higher
supply pressure, I could run a 1/2" line to get the volume of fuel
needed. My friend and I when installing gas lines in new construction
or remodels would get a 2psi gas meter so we could run 3/8" copper lines
to all appliances instead of 3/4" but a regulator was needed at each
unit to regulate the pressure down to 6-8" WC for proper operation. I
installed a wall mounted NG heater here at the crotchety old fart's lair
last year and I ran a 1/2" copper line as required, it works great and
puts out a great deal of heat. You may be able to use a 3/4" line
to supply enough fuel for your genset as many of them will operate with
the the 6-8" WC NG supply. ^_^

TDD