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extend-a-stay

The propane running to the generator, fridge, water heater and furnaces runs off the vapor port on my coach.  I was wanting to install an extend-a-stay and all of the photos I've seen of one installed looks like it is hooked up just past the vapor connect but before the regulator.  This looks like liquid propane would be going through the system when using external tanks.  I guess this is a necessity as there is no way to have the external tank receive propane from the external tank.  Am I right or am I missing something?
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #1 –
The extend-a-stay should be on the vapor side and before the regulator. The gas coming from the external tank will be vapor unless you turn it upside down. (which I don't recommend!) :)

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #2 –
If filling a small BBQ canister with an adapter, use a scale to avoid overfilling. Zero at the empty weight and don't go over the listed full weight. See the safe way to do it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUXG7_7Zipo

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #3 –
You close off the vapor knob on installed tank and open the red lever coming from the external tank. Don't use an additional regulator on the external tank as it reduces the pressure more.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #4 –
Color me confused on our extension propane hose. The extension is on the top of the tee and another black hose goes to the gen set (I think, have not tested it) Does that mean the upper extension should be capped should I want the gen set? The red ball valve seems to control upper and lower hoses.  :help:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #5 –
It is confusing but I'm pretty sure your generator propane would come from a manifold that the main hose runs to. The added on T should be from external tanks to run through your installed tank regulator to be used instead of the installed tank which would have the valve shut off but the generator would still run because of the inbound propane from the external tank. Whew.

OR.......... the 2 lines running from the T are to external devices which already have regulators installed like bbq's and/or camp lights.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Twig –
It is confusing but I'm pretty sure your generator propane would come from a manifold that the main hose runs to. The added on T should be from external tanks to run through your installed tank regulator to be used instead of the installed tank which would have the valve shut off but the generator would still run because of the inbound propane from the external tank. Whew.

OR.......... the 2 lines running from the T are to external devices which already have regulators installed like bbq's and/or camp lights.
Thanks, I know the smaller hose (upper) off the tee goes to a open fitting for a propane bottle I assume. The lower hose off the tee, I have no clue about its destination. I know all our interior gas stuff works fine & have found no outlet for the thicker lower hose off the tee.Is the gen set made with its own regulator so as to get juice ahead of the main regulator? Yikes, what a quandry.  ???
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #7 –
Yes. The generators have their own regulator.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #8 –
I'm about ready to see if there is a propane expert around here, but here's another pic showing the tee and the upper and lower hose feeds. The lower hose dives under the tank towards the gen set on the other side of the coach.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #9 –
If it ran to the generator it wouldn't run with the ball valve closed off. Has to run somewhere else or the PO messed some stuff up. The propane genset I had ran directly off the manifold.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Twig –
If it ran to the generator it wouldn't run with the ball valve closed off. Has to run somewhere else or the PO messed some stuff up. The propane genset I had ran directly off the manifold.
My feeling also, I think I need a gate/ball valve to isolate the propane extension so I can run the gen set by turning on the red ball valve.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'
 

Re: extend-a-stay

Reply #11 –
Mike's tank is the same as ours.  Connections are to the top of the tank pulling off vapor (gas).  And there is a 2nd caped tank connection that is near the bottom of the propane tank for liquid propane, probably used for older coaches that had propane generators.
We needed to do maintenance on our propane shut off valve which required the tank to be empty.  The propane dealer told me it would take hours to empty if we only had a vapor connection, like most tanks.  The vapor would probably have to be wasted to the atmosphere.  But because we had a caped liquid connection he could quickly capture the liquid into his spare tank.  He repaired our leak and gave us credit for the captured liquid.  Pretty nice.
My understanding is that Foretravel had unused large 60-gallon tanks with vapor & liquid access when they switched to diesel generators, and used them up in coaches like ours.  We fill propane every few years.