Connect 420lb (120 gal) Propane Tank to Portable Generator?

I use propane to heat my hot water, and am in the process of buying a new portable generator. My preference is to get a "dual fuel" generator so I can run off either gasoline or the propane that I am currently using for my hot water. We are renting the propane tank so I called the supplier and they told me it would be "$300-$400 in just parts, plus additional labor" to rig up my propane tank so I could both fuel my hot water as well as connect to the generator.

That seems crazy expensive to me, so I'd like to explore how to DIY this. I'm guessing there is a diverter of sorts, maybe a T that I can connect to the tank and then have the existing connection continue to run to my hot water heater, then have another outlet that I can connect my generator to as needed. It will not be a full time stand by generator, just something that I wheel out and hook up as needed.

ANY assistance is much appreciated. If I need more info from my tank or generator, or photos please let me know and I'll get what I can to help get accurate answers. Please note, I do not have the exact generator product picked out yet (DuroMax & Champion seem to be the most common dual fuel brands. I prefer a more recognize brand like Generac or Honda, but neither seem to have a dual fuel model).

Thanks to any help!

 

Does your generator require gas or liquid propane? If it takes gas what pressure does it need?

 

I'm looking to purchase a dual fuel...one that can use gasoline OR propane.

They're designed to simply hook up to standard grill propane tanks.

I already have a propane tank for DHW and want to also use it occasionally for the generator (which I haven't purchased yet).

 

You'd better look very carefully at your contract with your propane provider. Anything you do to the propane delivery system CAN absolve them from any liability in case of a problem.

I'd think long and hard about making this a DIY job.
A whole different matter if you owned the tank.

 

If you're doing it yourself you first need to find out what regulator you have on your propane tank and what pressure it operates at. You also need to find out what pressure your generator needs, and confirm that it needs vaporized propane and not liquid. Then you should look at the fuel consumption of the generator in btu and compare that with the regulator on your tank. Keep in mind that your regulator may have to supply your water heater and generator simultaneously.

Next move on to thinking about the piping. You need to know how long a run (how much pipe) from the source to your generator this will allow you to look at the charts and pick the appropriate size piping. Too small and it will restrict the flow of gas and starve your generator. Will you run a rigid or CSST gas line to your generator. Then you'll need a shutoff and flexible hose to connect to the generator

 

I used to work for an outfit that used propane to fuel their airless pumps. Our original intention was for the pumps to be dual fuel but economics won out and we outfitted them with a carb for propane only. I don't remember all the details involved other than it took a different carb.