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    Senior Member Svenok's Avatar
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    Default how to convert LPG heater to Natural gas

    I would like to change my Rennie (R82M) from LP to Natural gas.
    The house we have shifted into has natural gas, I could then just "plug n play"

    Any gas fitters out there? I think on the back it has 12.7MJ/Hr dont quote me on this just yet, but I will confirm later.
    "It's Life Jim" But Not As We Know It!

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    They have both LPG and Natural Gas in that model, may be something as simple as replacing the gas manifold as NG requires a larger diameter holes than LPG.

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    ok thats good. who would have that stuff? I'm out in the sticks, and you can get toilet paper with a pre-order!
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    Try ringing Rinnai direct as they would more than likely stock the conversion kits, they would be able to point you in the right direction and/or deliver the kit to you.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Svenok View Post
    ok thats good. who would have that stuff? I'm out in the sticks, and you can get toilet paper with a pre-order!
    Gasfitters, dealers who sell the heaters, etc.

    If it has a regulator, that will also need to be changed and the gas/air ratio adjusted.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    Gasfitters, dealers who sell the heaters, etc.

    If it has a regulator, that will also need to be changed and the gas/air ratio adjusted.
    Isn't it the jets that control fuel/air ratio?
    I think the regulator merely controls the pressure.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bibliophile View Post
    Isn't it the jets that control fuel/air ratio?
    I think the regulator merely controls the pressure.
    quite correct. propane (C3H8) is a heavier gas than natural gas (Methane (CH3)) so needs a larger "hole" to go through to mix with air to burn at its most efficient.

    Changing the jet size should do the trick, however, disclaimer, I am not a plumber, use the trained professional to assist you and get the right equipment and parts.

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    'oh' this is getting tricky!
    "It's Life Jim" But Not As We Know It!

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    Senior Member Svenok's Avatar
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    Just done a google and found their Aus web site has a few phone numbers so I will give them a call tomorrow, tanks guys for your help. Will let you know what jet needs to be installed.
    "It's Life Jim" But Not As We Know It!

    "We come in peace" shoot to kill.

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    Senior Member Svenok's Avatar
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    no good. The heater is so old they cant find it on their system.
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    Natural gas uses a larger diameter hole than lpg. Depending on age the parts may not even be available anymore. We recently had that problem when trying to convert an old Rinnai heater from natural to lpg. Thankfully the guy we used had another customer with the same heater looking to go from lpg to natural so we just arranged a swap.

    We also had a Rinnai 406T convection heater to convert to natural gas. I ordered the conversion kit for it as i was going to do it myself but there was a box full of parts that had to be changed out as well as computer being re-programmed and the gas flows adjusted. After looking at 3 pages of instruction i decided not to do it and took it to a licenced gas fitter because if anything happened and the house burnt down i didnt think the insurance company would be willing to pay out.

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    Quote Originally Posted by viper5150 View Post
    a licenced gas fitter because if anything happened and the house burnt down i didnt think the insurance company would be willing to pay out.

    Yeah I hear ya! I'm just going to tell the kids put extra clothes on and stop being, lar lars. Maybe keep them outside for a couple of hours then let them in!
    "It's Life Jim" But Not As We Know It!

    "We come in peace" shoot to kill.

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