Kitchen Gas Appliances - Generator Powered by LP Temporary Testing

I have finished the install of a new 10 KW propane powered standby generator. All electrical is done and checked out. I want to operate on a propane 20# tank until the summer time when I hope to get a bigger tank installed. I tried using a barbaque LP regulator but the engine did not start. The gas requirement is 11 inches of water. I thought that is what the BBQ took. Any suggestions as to what kind of a temporary regulator I can get so I can connect the LP 20 pound tank to the generator. I understand that I will only get 4 to 6 hours from the tank but that is OK for now.

don't see why it wouldn't start. at worst, it might freeze the regulator after running a bit or starve for fuel at peak RPM.
any fault indicators displayed like overcrank, low oil, high temp ? is the unit shipped for LP not NG ?

I figured it out a few minutes ago. The generator needs 115,000 and 175,000 BTUs at 1/2 and full load. The regulator i have from the gas grill is only rated at 60,000 buts and does not have enough flow to get the engine started. There are RV style regulators at 11" wc that are rated at 200,000 BTUs max. Looks like I need a regulator rated for the increased flow. Also, the engine needs a lot at the lean start condition with the choke set.

Aside from your regulator not providing enough of a BTU load to run the generator, either will your BBQ tank!

A 20 pound bbq cylinder will only provide 24,000 BTU's when it's 25% full @ 60 degrees F. When the temperature drops to 40 degrees the cylinder will only provide 18,450 BTU's when it's 25% full.

While you generator may start up with the cylinder, it will not run for very long until the tank freezes up because the liquid propane in the tank can't vaporize quick enough to keep up with the demand of the generator.

For a 10 KW generator I would recommend nothing less than a 420 pound (100 gallon) tank.

I was figuring on that but I did just want to get it going. I have the gas company coming to give me pricing on a 120 gallon tank that I think holds 100 gallons. The next thing is either above or below ground.

As mentioned, the 20# can't vaporize fast enough. You MIGHT get away with using two 40# tanks in tandem (just like an RV does), and there are home generators that use this setup (Coleman had one, I believe it was a 7500w model).

You need to figure up what you expect your power outage to be in days, and size your tank accordingly.

For a whole house generator, I wouldn't go with less than a 250g, inground tank. You're paying the expense of the bury and zinc bags, you might as well get the larger tank.