Converting natural to LPG

[Pulpo]

I have been given a gas hot water heater, 150 L storage type, its 10 years old.

Question is I would like to convert it to LPG as its currently natural gas.

I have converted a couple of appliances from LPG to natural [bbq and heater].

But have no idea for this, any ideas or clues, would be appreciated.

I will ring the manufacturers but in this day and age the response will be "it cannot be done buy a new one design for the requirements".

Cheers

Pulpo

[journeyman Mick]

AFAIK it's just a matter of jet sizes and regulator settings. Natural gas runs at a higher pressure (I think) and has a different calorific output to LPG. Different regulator and different jet sizes is all that's needed, but I can't help you with the specifics.

Mick

[robri]

I got a quote to convert a natural gas stove to LPG - cost would be $180 for parts and about the same for labour.

I flet that it was better to find another option.
Rob

[Gumby]

I doubt very much that you would be covered buy your home insurance in the event of a problem if you did it yourself. That's definitely NOT something I'd even think about attempting. There's an old saying, penny wise & pound foolish. that says it all IMHO.

[tcns]

Are you able to buy large LPG bottles and run them off that ?

Nothing illegal there, in Brisbane you can hire 45Kg bottles off energex
and they come out and change them - I think they are LPG ?

Tom

[The Big O]

Hey Pulpo, if the unit is 10 years old it is just about at the end of its life span. Mine lasted just under 11 years. Maybe just take the gas bit out and use your timber offcuts to heat it up.

regards, Lionel.

[Pulpo]

Mick Whats AFAIK?

I will see if a decent plumbing shop might be able to help.

There must be tables to convert natural gas to LPG.

Its only for a bush amenities block.

I know natural gas has bigger jet sizes than LPG.

Thanks for the responses

I think 10 years old is boardering on almost not worth much expense.

cheers.

Pulpo

[glenn k]

I have heard of people drilling larger holes in burners to convert LPG to Natural but you would need to make them smaller.
The other alternative is lower the LPG pressure and try it out if it burns it out you have lost nothing (as long as it leaves your house).

[DanP]

Pulpo,

AFAIK = As far as I know.

Get it done properly or research it and do it properly yourself. Mick is right, all it needs is a change over of burner and regulator, but do it right. I put a gas bottle on my HWS during the gas crisis and when I relit on natural I copped a big WOOF in the face and hand. OOPS, No eyebrows.

Dan

[Sturdee]

At one stage I looked at converting the LPG gas BBQ to natural gas. All it needed was drilling a bigger hole for the gas jet and a new regulator. However you need to reduce the hole and that means new parts as well.

I agree with Gumby that this is a job for a plumber and not DIY. BTW I decided it wasn't worth the trouble.


Peter.

[vsquizz]

TBMK The Gas in your cylinders (LPG) is regulated at about 3.4 Kpa for use at the burner (Barbie etc). Mains natural gas (which aint all natural gas anyway) should be regulated at the appliance to 1.1 Kpa. To convert your cylinder fed barbie to Mains toddle off down to Barbies Galore and grab a new set of jets for "Mains Pressure Gas". These you can fit yourself, takes 1 hours to clean barbie and 3 mins to change jets.

Then you need the gas fitter to install a bayonet (preferrably with SS isolation ball valve as well), connect the regulator and hose (you can buy or he can supply), connect a manometer and set the regulator to 1.1 Kpa with all burners turned on. Many people find their mains connect appliance then does not work as well as it did on the cylinder. This is generally due to the reg not being setup properly. Don't mess with the reg and don't get out the oxy tip cleaners and hone out your jets.

AFAIK all barbies can do this and many HWS were "capable" of doing this but you need the right gear. The jets sizes are mobs different. The jets cost jack so don't even bother messing around drilling them out your just looking for trouble. I assume the reverse procedure applies if going from mains to cylinder but I'd be talking to somebody who is qualified.

I your gunna mess with it just make sure you only blow yourself up:eek:

Cheers from a house that only has diving cylinders...acetylene cylinders, 8 cylinders in the bomb, 4 in the subie and a cylinder full of nitogen somewhere Don't ask