My other improvement project is rigging up the propane system to use gas from a portable tank. In looking at my set-up...I'm wondering if some PO didn't already do this. In the photograph, above the blue regulator it looks like there is a connection that has a hose attached to a tee just off the vapor valve. Has anyone added the Extend A Stay? Does it look like this?
Dwayne,
Upper valve on tank vapor
Lower valve on tank liquid-- currently blocked off.
Is the blue regulator for your generator? If so, where does it connect to the tank?
The small hose going into the top of the blue regulator goes over to the T off the vapor valve. The hose on the bottom must go to the gen set. I'm assuming I need a new T off the vapor valve so that I can connect a portable tank. I guess I'll need a shut off above that to isolate the portable tank. Doesn't look like much room for all that...
We've stayed a a few parks that were dicey to get in and out for propane, a lot of propane suppliers will fill the bottles, but not the main tank. We put this in, had enough room to get a ball valve in front of the regulator (Thanks Brett!) , works great! Only lag, which is no big deal, once you know about it, is the aux bottle will NOT fire the gen set. Otherwise, a great idea! We've found the little bottle will last us a month, with normal cooking and hwh heating for showers, dishes. Once it gets cool in the morning, and you lean on the furnace, I'd say three weeks.
Dwayne,
Never used an extended stay, but I know others have.
Generator of high pressure vapor to the blue regulator is perfect.
Brett
Dwayne,
To get back on track with your basic question.
1. That is the connection where you can add a high pressure hose to so you can run a grill, fire pit, or other device off the coach tank.
2. Yes, have had them on 3 different coaches.
3. Refer to response # 1 or simply No.
Pamela & Mike
On our old coach (SOB) I just ran a 2 stage regulator system from a 120 gal permanently set tank (on keep full by Suburban).
spun out the POL from the coach tank and used the coach regulator as the low pressure regulator for house service. btw did not have a propane gennie. and used shore power for lights.
I built my own extend-a-stay that backfeeds my system thru the teed connector used to hook up an external grill, fire pit, etc. i bought the corresponding screw on fitting from amazon, along with an acme hose assembly and a 1/4" NPT ball valve. Hook everything up with the valve closed and the rv tank valve closed. Open the ball valve and portable tank valve and it works great. Keeping this in the basement along with a 20lb tank because I am trying to run my propane totally empty so I can remove it to clean up rust, repaint and also replace diesel engine fuel lines. mine looks somewhat different with a diesel generator but my concept should still work to power your propane appliances, minus your genset.
Buy the Marshall Brass extend a stay, and NOT the Mr Heater extend a stay.
I tired Mr Heater, it is not only bigger (longer) ,it had bad seals from the factory. I talked to a propane expert, he highly recommended the Marshall Brass Version. 10 years later still works great.