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Propane Meter Question

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:11 am
by octane89
I'm thinking of starting a "advanced" combustion and had a question about the meter. Instead of using two ball valves and the gauge, can I use a inline regulator to a ball valve?

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:19 am
by gwoloshyn
If the regulator has an on/off which it probably does then yes you could. But I would definatly spend the extra few bucks for a second ball valve to make sure you get an accurate amount of fuel each time you charge the pipe--because the regulator could still push out fuel when you open the ball valve to charge the chamber.. I'm only making an assumption and I could be wrong...

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:25 am
by octane89
It does have a on/off from what I know, I think I will use the reg and still use the two valves like you said.

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:26 am
by BigGrib
definatley use a second ball valve just so that you can cut off the metered supply from the tank supply and you know you have the right ammount each time. I would still use an inline regulator which you can pick up from harbor freight for like 3 bucks. it uses a needle valve and is in the air compressor section, but it will work for propane, although it is a trick bitch to get sealed right so either you will use a lot of teflon tape or a little epoxy.

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:29 am
by octane89
Thats exactly what the one I was talking about uses. It uses a needle valve and is for a compressor. But I want to use it be able to adjust the psi of propane, and it's cheaper then a tee and gauge.

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:57 am
by gwoloshyn
Hey octane, you and I are in the same boat. I just started gathering materials for my advanced combustion. What are you using for an ignition source? I want to use a stungun but I can't get one in NY (only for 80 bucks which is a rip off) I bought the reg from harbor freight too.

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:03 pm
by BigGrib
octane89 wrote:Thats exactly what the one I was talking about uses. It uses a needle valve and is for a compressor. But I want to use it be able to adjust the psi of propane, and it's cheaper then a tee and gauge.
this is no problem put it right after your tank before your first ball valve then your meter pipe and then your second ball valve, you will be able to adjust pressure of the propane going into the meter easy as that

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:20 pm
by octane89
gwoloshyn wrote:Hey octane, you and I are in the same boat. I just started gathering materials for my advanced combustion. What are you using for an ignition source? I want to use a stungun but I can't get one in NY (only for 80 bucks which is a rip off) I bought the reg from harbor freight too.
I was thinking of either a spark strip or stun gun. Go to the BC Arms store here cause they have a stun gun, fan, and another part for $29.99 + shipping. I already have fans and other stuff for the spark strip, Im just figuring out what Im going to do.

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:59 pm
by gwoloshyn
I was thinking of either a spark strip or stun gun. Go to the BC Arms store here cause they have a stun gun, fan, and another part for $29.99 + shipping. I already have fans and other stuff for the spark strip, Im just figuring out what Im going to do.
I think im going to go for a standard peizo ignitor for this one to make it less complicated...but you gotta love the sound of a stun gun ignition on a potato gun to impress everybody :)

I was also considering ordering an electric ignitor from Char Broil grill website.. maybe i'll do that.

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:32 am
by octane89
Well a piezo doesn't assure it will fire each time-I think an electric one be a little more promising. All Im doing now is deciding on a igniter, clear combustion chamber, and overall design of what it will look like.
Thats actually pretty much everything I guess, but I have some minor parts together and few sketches.

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:39 am
by wangpushups
Get a stun gun man. I paid a total of $19 for mine on ebay. Works great. Here...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stun-Gun-65-000-Vol ... dZViewItem

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:08 pm
by octane89
Well I did a little more research, and stun guns are illegal in michigan. SO, I guess a spark strip or some other igniter will have to do.

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:26 pm
by Ragnarok
Stun guns are illegal, stun gun circuits aren't.
There's no law on voltage... the weapon style case is the only problem.

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:32 pm
by octane89
On the bc arms site, he won't ship to michigan. So that creates a bit of a problem for me. I can manage though, not hard to find another source of ignition.

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:26 pm
by MrCrowley
I'm sure he can take the circuit out and ship that to you.