Gas regulators

Hellrazer

Just wondering if anyone can help.

Just bought a new outdoor shower / water heater and it came with no gas line on it - Im using it to heat a hot tub as per https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laXsDQA8ioo

It runs on propane or butane but I dont know which combination of gas bottle and regulator I need.

Seems that there are different regulators and not one standard one. Also which is more economical butane or propane?

Thanks in advance.

The Continental Op

The water heat should have a rating plate on it stating the required pressure which you can match up with a suitable regulator.

However I'd be fairly confident it will run on butane with a standard jumbo regulator.

I have a very similar gas water heater and it uses butane and a jumbo regulator.

Example, available in every builders merchants around the country

https://westcorkgas.ie/product/kosan-jumbo-clip-on-butane-gas-regulator/

Propane may be more econimical as you get about 12% more heat out of the same amount of gas as butane but propane is a little more expensive. If you do go the propane route don't go buying a new bottle (don't take out a new contract) because anywhere I've bought propane they'll swap a used butane bottle for a full propane one no questions asked.

Hellrazer

The pressure says 2.4 kpa to 3.0kpa - so 24 to 30 milibar.

I have to but a new bottle as I dont have one to return but thats only a once off. Looks like Im better off with butane rather than propane as propane has a higher milibar pressure if Im reading the regulators right??

Propane seems to be 37mbar?

The Continental Op

Butane is slightly more readily available and push on jumbo regulators are available all over.

Propane regulator will need a spanner each time.

You can get both high and low pressure regulators for both butane and propane, although it can be hard to find a butane jumbo high pressure regulator. The low pressure Propane is normally 37 mbar. I really don't know for a gas water heater but you normally have to have different jet sizes for butane and propane, often items that say they can use both tell you in the instructions what size of jet to use. In your case I'm fairly sure your water heater will be set up for Butane.

Ask around for a bottle or two to swap, its not uncommon to find people have them in a shed or garage and never use them. I've never bought one. You are supposed to pay for a bottle when you start off used to be an extra £30 but that was long ago. I've loads of cylinders and I pick them up at the side of the road, washed up on the beach, from friends who want to get rid of them, just all over. I also given loads away , although decided to keep all the spares I have now full just in case they come in useful.

I assume you are running this outside or at least in an area where you can't poison anyone with carbon monoxide? With poor ventilation a badly running gas water heater can be a very efficient carbon monoxide generator. I've no idea if it comes under our regulations if used outside but even if set up in a garage it should be installed by a registered installer.

Hellrazer

It just says LPG on the sticker but I found the manual online ( bought it used) and it says it can use 29/30 mbar butane or 37 mbar propane without any modifications.

"Heater can use butane gas bottle with a 29/30mbar gas regulator or propane gas with a 37mbar regulator (B07F3TR6LM, this is 37mbar propane gas regulator). "

And yep Im installing it outdoors. It will be enclosed in a small steel cabinet with a hole cut in the top for exhausting the heat and fumes and to keep it dry.

The Continental Op

Don't forget you need an air flow. So holes at the bottom to let air in.

If you can use either and have to buy a new bottle and regulator then if your nearest supplier sells propane and its less than 10% more expensive then that may be the way to go.

There is quite a noticable difference between butane and propane when you are burning them. I've done a few torch on felt roofs and butane only just does the job, propane on the other hand in the same gas torch is much hotter. Being a bit cautious I'd tend to think the extra heat in the gas boiler might reduce its life so I'd go with butane.

Hellrazer

Im going to go with Butane but I have another problem!!

I need one of the attached fittings. Its 1/2" to 8mm - and its the gas connection to the regulator. Cant seem to find one anywhere.

61JPJyU6rjL._AC_SX679_.jpg

The Continental Op

You should find them in somewhere like Woodies or B&Q, my local builders has them. If they don't have them loose then you should find them carded and sold under the ProPlumb banner.

The half inch is very common and I've no idea what the diameter of the pipe size is but I'm guessing this one from Woodies (probably ProPlumb) would do the job https://www.woodies.ie/gas-fittings-3-8-male-x-hose-union-nozzle-336154 + some ptfe tape on the thread.

Edit> Sorry thats the 3/8" fitting I'll look for the 1/2"

This looks better https://www.woodies.ie/1-2-female-hose-union-nozzle-336157

Hellrazer

Thank for all the help Continental- all up and running now. Picked up an almost full gas bottle of propane from adverts for free this morning :)

Hot tub has heated from 14c to 25c in less than an hour where as previously it would take 8 hours to get that high and 14 hours to get to 40c on electric heater at a mad cost. Now its useable as it will heat up in 3 hours from cold to hot and no mental esb bill!!!