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Topic: Propane Tank Hoses (Read 681 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane Tank Hoses

We have a rather new to us 1995 U280, and have questions about the propane tank.  We purchased the coach from an individual that wasn't familiar with the piping (he didn't own it long as he was more of a broker).  We do know that a new 12v refrigerator was installed by/at Foretravel very recently, so the gas line was disconnected and permanently closed/capped.  The attached photo doesn't show the end, but the hose coming from the outlet labeled "vapor" goes to nowhere--it's just an open-ended hose with a threaded end. What you can see in the photo is that the hose coming from the outlet labeled "liquid" is what's feeding the manifold that provides gas to the appliances/furnaces, etc. We don't see how this could possibly work and have not yet attempted to use the propane.  Has anyone ever come across this issue before, or do you have suggestions on where we could search?  Thanks in advance!

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #1 –
The ONLY thing that liquid tap could feed is a propane generator. Do you have a propane generator?  If so, trace the line from the liquid tap and verify that is where it goes.

Can't see where the hose goes (off the left side of the picture) from the vapor tap/propane solenoid/regulator.  That is the one that should be feeding the "house" (stove, propane furnaces, refrigerator if absorption, etc).

Please do NOT use any propane device until you are sure of the plumbing.  If that liquid feed is connected to house, you will have 100 times the pressure the system was designed for.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #2 –
Yes it sure looks like they have the high pressure liquid hooked up to the appliance manifold if attempted to use this way can be a disaster so it needs fixing.  Can you post a pic of the low pressure hose. The PO may have had a problem with the propane shutoff valve and didn't know how to repair or remove.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
The ONLY thing that liquid tap could feed is a propane generator. Do you have a propane generator?  If so, trace the line from the liquid tap and verify that is where it goes.

Can't see where the hose goes (off the left side of the picture) from the vapor tap/propane solenoid/regulator.  That is the one that should be feeding the "house" (stove, propane furnaces, refrigerator if absorption, etc).

Please do NOT use any propane device until you are sure of the plumbing.  If that liquid feed is connected to house, you will have 100 times the pressure the system was designed for.
Thanks for the quick reply. We have not and will not use any propane device until we are 100% certain everything is properly plumbed and tested. We have a diesel generator and it works perfectly. The hose you are referring to that should be feeding the house is the one that is connected to nothing--literally ends with a threaded fitting and is just hanging there.  The "liquid" line appears to be new and has a bushing as the line that the hose is connected to is larger. The previous owners had most work done at Foretravel. Are they helpful with such things as this?

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Yes it sure looks like they have the high pressure liquid hooked up to the appliance manifold if attempted to use this way can be a disaster so it needs fixing.  Can you post a pic of the low pressure hose. The PO may have had a problem with the propane shutoff valve and didn't know how to repair or remove.

Mike
The low pressure hose ends with a threaded fitting and is just hanging there.  I will send a better pic but we won't be back to our coach until the weekend. Thanks for your help.

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #5 –
Yes, with detailed pictures, we CAN sort this out.

The important thing is that the liquid line is unused and a capped off, as the only possible use for it would be a liquid LP generator which you don't have.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #6 –
Is that thread tape that i see on the manifold end of that hose, if so i believe that's a no/no also.

  On a related thing. I once had the bright (not) idea to use that liquid fill valve to fill some portable (green) 1 gallon tanks or possibly a 5 gallon one. I was willing to use all the proper connections to make that happen.... But, when i opened that liquid valve just to see if the valve was operational.    It immediately froze up and i mean IMMEDIATELY froze open. Releasing a bunch of propane....  Doing that was beyond dumb. I already had lots respect for propane but now have even more.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yes, with detailed pictures, we CAN sort this out.

The important thing is that the liquid line is unused and a capped off, as the only possible use for it would be a liquid LP generator which you don't have.
We will take pics showing more detail this weekend and post them. We can't thank you all enough for the suggestions and recommendations. This is a fantastic group!

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #8 –
This what mine looks like, yours looks like it's missing the regulator.  Correct me if Iam not seeing it?
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Andy 2 –
This what mine looks like, yours looks like it's missing the regulator.  Correct me if Iam not seeing it?

Andy,

You have the WRONG regulator.  The vent (small screened area of the propane regulator) has to point DOWN.

Regulators with vents on long axis (which you need) are usually exactly the same price as regulators with vents perpendicular to the long axis of the regulator.

So, a perfectly good regulator for a horizontal installation will be absolutely;y wrong for one mounted vertically.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #10 –
Ya no Brent when I replaced that 3years ago that's what was on there and I did understand that vent was supposed to ponit down and I guess to me it looked like it pointed down. Lol who new thanks.
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Andy 2 –
Ya no Brett when I replaced that 3years ago that's what was on there and I did understand that vent was supposed to point down and I guess to me it looked like it pointed down. Lol who new thanks.

Remove the plastic covers and verify that the vent (quarter-sized screen) is on the long axis of the regulator.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #12 –
Here are more pics from different angles. The crimped copper tubing was originally feeding the fridge, but Foretravel installed a new 12v fridge.

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #13 –
Concerns:

In IMG 2164, looks like the hose from the LIQUID tap is connected to the vertical pipes that supply the house (so stove and furnaces if they are propane).

Looks like the line from the propane regulator just vents to atmosphere-- extremely dangerous if someone were to open the tank valve.

That vertical pipe should be connected only to the OUT (low pressure side) of the regulator.

The solenoid valve (two wires going to it and located between the "T" and the propane regulator may or may not be working (newer coached did away with it.  Should be powered by the propane detector in the kitchen.  You should hear a sharp "click" when the propane detector switch is turned on.

And, unless a liquid propane generator, the liquid tap should be capped off/nothing connected to it.

Can't tell from any of the pictures if the regulator vent (small screened area) is on the long axis of the regulator as it should be or perpendicular to it (wrong).

Please let us know on each of these points.

Thanks.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #14 –
Hard to believe that FT didn't mention the incorrect feed for the propane manifold. I've  NEVER seen propane lines configured like that.  Don't know if you've used any of your propane appliances but that could be dangerous with them getting the liquid feed like that ..... unless they have individual regulators on the appliances.  Not likely.  Even then they would be getting liquid feed instead of the vapor feed.

  You could take the coach to a propane distributor for a second opinion if they are in the business of setting up new build or adding propane appliances to homes. They should know.  But I wouldn't use the stuff until its checked.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
 

Re: Propane Tank Hoses

Reply #15 –
Yup, the difference in PSI between the vapor feed post-regulator and the liquid line IS LIKELY OVER 100 PSI (pressure from liquid tap dependent on temperature-- could  be more or less than 100).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020