Masthead 75 years with diamond
August - 2012  
GEC e-Newsletter Archives:  
To view copies of our previous issues           Click Here for Archives 

  
Propane Celebrates 100 Years
NPGA Centennial Logo
2012 is an exciting year for the propane industry.
It marks the 100th year of the first use of this exceptional fuel, and celebrates its role in improving the lives and businesses of millions of people all over the world.75 Logo

Join GEC in celebrating
our 75 year anniversary.

During the 2012 CakeTexas Convention & Trade Show, Gas Equipment Company provided the Dessert for the luncheon on the Trade Show floor by celebrating our 75th Birthday with three  different Birthday cakes.


From L to R:  Russ Ridings, John Percy, John Ketchum Skeeter LaDue, 
J. R. Anderson, Mike Armstrong, Steve Higginson 
Dear Valued Customer:

Gas Equipment Company is pleased to provide the e-Newsletter as a service to share useful & valuable information about the products & services we offer.  You will find sections on technical topics, new product announcements, "Did You Know" regulatory compliance requirements, "Virtual Warehouse" online ordering tips, along with an occasional "What's Wrong With This Picture?" section.  We hope you enjoy the Gas Equipment Company e-newsletter and choose to continue receiving it.  And, PLEASE feel free to email us with recommended topics or products you would like to see addressed in this forum.

Thank you for patronage.
 
RegO - Dielectric Pigtails
ElectricallyRegO Logo Isolated Pigtails for Underground Containers D912 Series

 

These pigtails are designed specifically for use on Underground LP-Gas Containers where dielectric isolation is necessary to protect the container.

Dielectric Pigtails

Features:

  • Electrically insulated POL connection.
  • Heavy duty construction.
  • Individually soldered connection to the copper tubing.
  • Available in 2 styles: POL x POL & 1/4" NPT x POL 

M.POL x M.POL                          1/4"M.NPT x M.POL    

D912P12   12" Length                   D912J12   12" Length 

D912P20   20" Length                   D912J20   20" Length  

D912P30   30" Length                   D912J30   30" Length

 

FREE Employee Training 

 

A training class can be more than just exposing your service staff to new products or talking about new regulations. It is much more when they can experience first-hand the "WHY" to new regulations and see how those regulations affect routine installations of equipment.

   

UG TankAt a recent training class conducted by Mike Fisher, a Gas Equipment Company sales representative, that specific point was made paramount. Mike was conducting a Cathodic Protection training class where theory and regulation were discussed in the classroom; but the training went a step further with hands-on demonstration of measuring tank-to-soil cathodic protection potentials on actual customer propane tanks in the field.

 

On the first underground tank customer visit, the class tested the tank-to-soil potential to ascertain the capability of the anode. The preliminary readings showed the anode was not protecting the tank (the readings were showing a too small potential reading). Upon further inspection, it was noticed the yard distribution line was run with copper tubing and did not include a dielectric union to isolate the yard line from the tank. The class disconnected the pigtail/regulator/copper line from the tank and re-tested the cathodic protection system. With the metallic line disconnected from the tank the tank-to-soil potential reading now read in the sufficient range.  

Electrodes  

The class replaced the standard pigtail with a RegO D912 series pigtail that is designed specifically for UG tanks; where dielectric isolation is necessary to protect the container. In addition on this installation the class installed a dielectric union at the house, above ground in accordance with Section 6.9.3.16 of the 2011 edition of NFPA 58.

 

What this in-field on-site training session demonstrated were multiple points:

  • How to test tank-to-soil potential.
  • Other factors can affect the actual performance of existing cathodic protection.
  • Proper installation of dielectric isolation solutions in accordance with current regulations.
  • And, multiple options exist to comply and accomplish the target result.
This installation with the UG tank NOT being isolated from the yard-line and house plumbing and probably water lines from the water heater all the way to the mains, demonstrated that the sacrificial anode that was installed on the tank was being used up by the all the yard and water lines since it was not isolated. This would have caused a significantly shortened life of the anode.  By isolating the tank you will extend the life of the anode before replacement is needed and allow better protection of the UG tank.

 

AmeriGas Dispenser Training

A recent June dispenser & Corken dispenser pump maintenance training class conducted by Steve Smith & Les Stanley at the Lawrenceville, GA branch office, featuring students from
AmeriGas 
 
The class covered how to design & order dispensers using the GEC custom design guide, dispenser trouble-shooting, and proper maintenance and rebuild of Corken C-series pumps.
This particular class also received continuing credit units for the Georgia State Certification Program
Gas Equipment Company sales representatives and customer service specialists are factory trained and experienced in all product lines to provide dependable solutions with a personalized approach. Armed with this extensive product knowledge, our sales representatives travel 28 states conducting field and classroom training seminars, providing safety information, and establishing a direct link to manufacturers.  Our curricula include in-field hands-on training demonstrating proper pump, meter and compressor installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and rebuilding.

 

GEC provides Certificates of Completion for training classes conducted allowing employers to file copies in employee files for future documentation demonstrating a commitment to continued education.

  

To schedule a training class contact your sales representative or local branch. For a list of training classes available click the image below.   

 

   CLICK HERE for a copy of our offered training curricula.
Training List
 FAQ's from Customers
Valve plate imageA question we recently received was from a customer doing maintenance on a Liquid Controls MA-7 propane meter on their bobtail:

"I noticed the replacement valve plates for my vapor eliminator are different; which side does each plate mount on the vapor eliminator and which side points up versus down?" 

This is a very common question.   
A set of LC vapor eliminator valve plates do include two plates that are different.  One is a limited bleed plate and one is a standard bleed plate. 

Aluminum and stainless steel high-mount air/vapor eliminators are supplied with a limited bleed valve plate on one side of the eliminator. An air/vapor eliminator can be identified as having a limited bleed valve plate by a notch in the top edge of the valve plate, as shown in Fig. 34. 

Piping the Propane vapor/Air Eliminator:
For systems involving liquids under pressure (propane), install field piping as follows:
1. Pipe one vent port on the vapor eliminator to the bonnet on the differential valve, and  
2.  Pipe the other vent port on the vapor eliminator back to the vapor space in the storage/supply tank. 

The limited bleed valve plate serves two purposes:
1. It allows the complete closure of the Differential Valve. This is accomplished because the small size of the bleed hole (1/32") in the valve plate provides a restriction so that some of the system pressure is directed to the Differential Valve to force closure.

2. It also allows for the slow controlled opening of the Differential Valve. As liquid is reintroduced to the meter, the valve will start to open. The system pressure in the vent line will bleed off slowly through the limited bleed hole preventing the valve from opening abruptly. 

Piping of limited bleed air/vapor eliminators:
Connections of the Differential Valve to the Eliminator can normally be made to either vent port on the eliminator; limited bleed or standard valve plate. 
For Specific Product or Service Questions please contact one or our Customer Service Warehouses below:

Atlanta, GA

(800) 241-4155         

Dallas, TX

(800) 821-1829

Fayetteville, NC

(800) 447-1625

Houston, TX

(800) 334-7816

Indianapolis, IN

(800) 241-1971

Kansas City, MO

(800) 821-5062

Little Rock, AR

(800) 643-8222

Orlando,  FL

(800) 821-0631

Richmond, VA

(800) 368-4013

St. Louis, MO

(800) 423-4685


Sincerely,
GEC e-Newsletter
Gas Equipment Co., Inc
In This Issue
Propane Centennial & GEC 75th Anniversary
RegO Dielectric Pigtails
FREE Employee Training - More than Learning just Theory
FAQ's from Customers
Welcome New Sales Representative: DAVID YOUNG
HEATSTAR Vent-Free Heater SPECIAL OFFER
GEC Regulator Program
Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links
 
 
 
Register Now to receive the GEC e-Newsletter

Welcome:
DAVID YOUNG
David Young
Gas Equipment Company announces David Young has been named Outside Sales Representative for Southern Missouri and Southern Illinois. David has worked in the propane industry with hands-on operational experience in all levels of retail service and management for 35 years.
HEAT STAR Vent-Free Heaters 

SPECIAL OFFER
July 1-August 31, 2012 
FINAL MONTH 
ACT NOW! 
HeatStar 
on Top of the Pre-Season Program  
For Every 10 vent-free Heat Star heaters Purchased Receive 1 Free heater *
 
* Select FREE heater from these 4 models: 
 
HSVFR10NG-F155225
HSVFR10LP-F155228
HSVFB10NG-F155549
HSVFB10LP-F155582


GEC 2012 Regulator Program
Gas Equipment's 2012 RegO Regulator Program.


Our Best Program Ever!
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Inet Specials

Save with Internet Specials

Visit www.gasequipment.com and shop online at the "GEC Virtual Warehouse" and take advantage of several Internet Specials. 

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS REGISTER FOR A WEB ORDER ENTRY (WOE) ACCOUNT WITH GEC*.  You'll be issued a confidential user I.D. and password that will allow you to order on your schedule.

Click "Register for Online Ordering" to get started.

 

*All registrants must have a current account with GEC in good standing before the WOE account can be activated.

 

For a copy of the GEC Solutions introducing our CLICK, SEARCH, BUY, MANAGE edition of our Virtual Warehouse email your request to

e-newsletter@gasequipment.com

Online Specials are changed regularly, check back periodically for new offerings!