Propane regulator connections

[dfandrews]

I am looking at revising how the propane tanks are hooked up to the regulator, so as to put less stress on the hoses.

The current setup is 12" hose with straight OCC and ¼" inverted flare connections.
I'm think of using a longer hose, and also using 45° or 90° fittings at the regulator end, to take some of the sharp,. short radius bends out of the hose.
Has anyone done this? Any suggestions or prohibitions?

[gbaglo]

Escape brings in a gas fitter to do propane. I wouldn't guess that maybe I had a better idea.

[Gasguy]

I am going to do something similar as well as relocate the regulator assembly 180 degrees so it faces the opposite direction

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

I'm think of using a longer hose, and also using 45° or 90° fittings at the regulator end, to take some of the sharp,. short radius bends out of the hose.
Has anyone done this? Any suggestions or prohibitions?

I haven't done this, and haven't seen a need for it on the RVs I've had, but I can see how it could work.

My guess is that street elbows in inverted flare are probably rare to non-existent. That leads to either using street elbows (male on the regulator end, female on the other end to accept the NPT to inverted flare adapters) in the regulator ports and the existing NPT to inverted flare adapters, or better 1/4" NPT to inverted flare elbows in replacement of the existing adapters. Those elbows are readily available in 90 degree, and also available in 45 degree.

Unfortunately, this means clocking tapered pipe thread fittings to the desired position, whether or not that's where they are properly seated to seal... always an annoyance with pipe threads, although that's better than it would be with the inverted flare.

With 45 degree elbows, it looks like the same length of hose would fit well.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Escape brings in a gas fitter to do propane. I wouldn't guess that maybe I had a better idea.

Escape has corporate liability issues to consider. I do my own propane fitting work, and since I do it carefully and only after suitable research I have no concerns. Other people with different knowledge and skills may reasonably come to different decisions.

[C&G in FL]

I don’t see any purpose in this switch. Yes, there are some sharp bends in the propane pigtails and sooner or later they will need to be replaced, but so will a longer, straighter hose. UV and ozone takes a toll on rubber. Eliminate the stress of sharp curves and you may get a year or two more before they need to be changed. But it’s not like they are terribly expensive. Might cost $18 for two new pigtails and you do not have to deal with adapters or fittings with the potential alignment/orientation problems Brian mentions. My opinion anyway. YMMV.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Yes, there are some sharp bends in the propane pigtails and sooner or later they will need to be replaced, but so will a longer, straighter hose.

What if you wipe it weekly with a white vinegar-soaked lint-free cloth?

[dfandrews]

Brian, Carl: Thanks for the advice/suggestions, and the mention of cost/benefit. I just may be overthinking this, after seeing cracks in the hose outer covers.
Glenn: Je ne comprend pas?

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Glenn: Je ne comprend pas?

Your French is better than mine. Just an off-topic comment on home remedies. White vinegar seems popular on the forums.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

I am looking at revising how the propane tanks are hooked up to the regulator, so as to put less stress on the hoses.

The current setup is 12" hose with straight OCC and ¼" inverted flare connections.
I'm think of using a longer hose, and also using 45° or 90° fittings at the regulator end, to take some of the sharp,. short radius bends out of the hose.
Has anyone done this? Any suggestions or prohibitions?

Exposed rubber hoses will UV crack at some point. That's why I replaced my cracking hoses with stainless pigtails. It'll be a long time before I have to replace them again.

https://www.etrailer.com/Propane/MB-...100833-12.html

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

What if you wipe it weekly with a white vinegar-soaked lint-free cloth?

Ah, got it!


(So, I'm thinking that when camping, a good wipe-down with said vinegar will keep my personal aging and corrosion to a minimum. Why, I could out-last our Escape (not!)).

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Ah, got it!


(So, I'm thinking that when camping, a good wipe-down with said vinegar will keep my personal aging and corrosion to a minimum. Why, I could out-last our Escape (not!)).

Sounds a little kinky and a little stinky..
Knowing you’re a train man I thought of you last night when the local TV station had a little feature on an extensive model train layout of the town of Grinnell which is about half way between Cedar Rapids and Des Moines right off of Interstate 80. Grinnell was established at the intersection of the Rock Island Chicago Northwestern about 160 or so years ago.
Iowa Dave .