Valve for natural gas vs propane

[Truwolf]

Hi all,

I got my hands on a used Hayward H400FDN which is set up for natural gas and I need to convert it to propane. The conversion kit contains orifices and a complete valve.

Does anybody know what the difference in the valves really is? With propane you operate on higher pressures, but the manifold side pressure can be adjusted on the valve.

So why a whole different valve?

Thanks,
TruWolf

 

[ajw22]

Propane and natural gas have different specific gravities, and the control valves used for each gas type are designed to work optimally with the respective gas.

 

[1poolman1]

Hi all,

I got my hands on a used Hayward H400FDN which is set up for natural gas and I need to convert it to propane. The conversion kit contains orifices and a complete valve.

Does anybody know what the difference in the valves really is? With propane you operate on higher pressures, but the manifold side pressure can be adjusted on the valve.

So why a whole different valve?

Thanks,
TruWolf

Propane valve do not allow as much gas through them as a natural gas valve. Otherwise you can have flame that is too hot and too large. Look at the openings in the propane orifices compared to natural gas, you'll see the difference.
From a propane supplier:
"One unit of propane provides more than twice the heat that one unit of natural gas does. Natural gas generates about 1,012 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat per cubic foot. Propane on the other hand generates 2,520 BTUs per cubic foot. One BTU is the amount of energy needed to increase one pound of water by 1˚ Fahrenheit."

 

[Truwolf]

Thank you both. I understand that. But it still doesn't explain why a whole different valve.

The manifold side pressure can be adjusted to the pressure needed for LP.

Whatever ... Just ordered the conversion kit for $188.

 

[1poolman1]

Thank you both. I understand that. But it still doesn't explain why a whole different valve.

The manifold side pressure can be adjusted to the pressure needed for LP.

Whatever ... Just ordered the conversion kit for $188.

Pressure and volume are two different measurements. In simplest terms, order to not burn up the heater, less propane by volume, because of its higher heat potential, is allowed through the valve. Same as the orifices with their smaller openings.