Installation Information and Pipe sizing

Typical Natural Gas & Low Pressure Propane Installation

TYPE A, TYPE C, and TYPE 3 and TYPE 4 KITS are for natural gas and low pressure propane. These kits are all the same in that they use a low inlet pressure engine regulator. The Drawing above illustrates a generator installed on the low pressure inlet side of the typical house pipe system. The gas meter shown on the left would be a low pressure propane regulator if this was a typical two stage propane system.

As a reference, 1 pound of pressure or 1 psi can be represented in various equivalents such as:

The engine regulator included in these types of kits will accept up to 14" of water column maximum (one half of one pound per square inch). This allows the engine regulator to be used for both natural gas (4"-8" wc) and low pressure propane (11"-14" wc). The same regulator can be used for both fuels and that is why this type of engine regulator is used in the Tri-Fuel Kits.

Due to these relatively low pressures, somewhat larger pipe sizes are required to handle the load. For instance, a 1/2" pipe coming directly from a natural gas meter could not be over 10' long and handle the volume of a 10hp generator. Right from the meter a 1/2" line can operate a 13hp engine. So having the 1/2" pipe at the opposite end of a home will almost never be able to be used for a generator unless it is just off a large main pipe line. Most often, the generator would have to be connected right after the meter or low pressure regulator. The chart below is a reference guide to help determine the correct pipe size if teeing in at the outlet side of the meter.

(Note: This is a guide only and is VERY conservative. Qualified personnel should calculate exact requirements.)

Pipe size (inches) Based on Distance in feet from Meter

For instance, if a gas grill outlet is stubbed out the typical 1/2" pipe would need to be fairly close to the main 3/4" or 1" gas line. This is a very common hook-up request and if the overall and the stub out pipe is sufficiently sized, removal of the 3/8" gas grill quick disconnect and shut off would be necessary and just install a 1/2" tee and then reinstall the grill outlet parts on one side and a new 1/2" quick disconnect (QDC-12) and shut off valve on the other. If no properly sized outlet is available the generator may have to be connected right after the meter or low pressure regulator. This is not a bad Some customers have called pluming companies and after getting their installation cost with labor have opted to order a quick disconnect and a very long rubber hose like 75' that they can roll out and connect to the quick disconnect at the meter when the generator is needed and roll the hose back up and store when the generator need is over. This can save the cost of a plumber or gas company installing underground piping and if moving is a possibility in the future the hose can easily be used at a new location. We can provide our custom hoses at any length you may require and have done so to many hundreds of feet as needed.

Disclaimer: We suggest that you seek the help of your local gas company or licensed plumber. Always check local codes for final installation.

If this low pressure method of installation is what you need, the two types of kits to choose from will be the dedicated Types A, B and 3 or the multi-fueled Type C, D and 4 Kits.

The following links will take you to the correct page that describes these kits: