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Topic: Propane aux port question (Read 687 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane aux port question

See pic attached.

This off my 03 U320 propane tank.  Looks the 1" - 20 port was on add-on at some point.  The coach came with a 10ft marshall model A4 hose with male x female 1" - 20 throwaway bottle connections.  I bought a 1" - 20 to acme adapter that connects to my outdoor appliances which both have regulators.  These appliances work fine on small 5 gallon tanks but not well, if at all, when connected to the RV tank.

Worked great one trip then struggled to get enough fuel to run the 3 burner stove.  Flame tips yellow and couldn't run all three burners. RV tank makes high pitched whistle.

I can open the rv tank valve and push the Schrader valve and have lots of pressure. Then hook up my 10' hose and do the same on the end and plenty of pressure.  Then add the adapter and nothing.  Could be normal.

My question is should there be a regulator hanging off the tank port to reduce the pressure going into my hose and appliances? Does anyone else have the same configuration?




Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #1 –
Our '03 had that as well.  OEM, not an add-on.  If you look where that port is, it's before the regulator.  So the regulator on the wall is only for the coach cooktop and fridge.  The pressure coming off the tank at that external port is full tank pressure. 

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #2 –
We have the same set up on our 99, I did upgrade it  so I can also supply gas to the coach from a large tank. It works out grill perfectly, however I am shy about using it for the grill again, while the grill was on one evening the flex gas supply pipe (from Amazon) ruptured, went on fire and quickly burnt forwards the coach. Only because I was right there did I have time to open the compartment (now I know why it does not lock) and shut the gas off.
It was a close call that lasted no longer than 35 seconds which could have been the end of us and our coach!
I have used the small disposable propane cylinders ever since then, save them up and refill them from a 30lb tank.

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #3 –
We have the same setup as Michelle and have never used it.

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #4 –
You mentioned that both of your outdoor appliances have regulators.. if so then you should not need a regulator at the tank. They would then be double regulated. That won't work.
  I was using a portable Little Buddy heater from the UNregulated side because the heater had a regulator in it but ... ended up being a PITA.
      First you need to be using a special hose from Mr Heater or the hose will leach oil into the (high pressure) propane line. Amazon hoses won't cut it.  If you do use an amazon hose you'll also need a propane filter to keep that oil out of the heater. (Plugs them up) and regardless of the filter the aftermarket hose will get brittle an degrade. I now use a grill and heater without regulators so the lines come off my propane manifold like everything else. And also those combo quickconnect / shutoff fittings don't work too well with high preessure propane either. It looks like i have 2 shutoffs on the grill line but I'm only using the quick connect feature on it and using the other shut off for the off thing.

  I would guess that your issues are from the fittings , not the source of where the propane is coming from. IF your appliances have regulators the you'd want the feed before the coach regulator.

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #5 –
I took the regulator off my grill and came off the tank regulator with a valve and quick connect fitting
Seems to work fine for the grill
Chris

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Chris m lang –
I took the regulator off my grill and came off the tank regulator with a valve and quick connect fitting
Seems to work fine for the grill
Chris

That's okay if you're teeing in AFTER the tank regulator.  The quick connect port shown in Charlieboise's post is BEFORE the tank regulator, so the hose pressure is the full tank pressure.  An appliance connected to that port will need a regulator.

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #7 –
Key words here is "tank regulator"
Chris

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #8 –
Charlieboise:

What are the BTU ratings of your adapters?

I expanded on the Christmas Tree that I inherited from the previous owner, and added 1/4 turn gas cocks for high pressure (before the house regulator) and low pressure propane.  I need to be able to feed high pressure gas as a back up fuel supply for my generator.  I can use the low pressure port for an auxiliary appliance or to back feed propane to the house from a separate regulator on my 40# DOT cylinder.

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #9 –
I came off the tank with a tee, one with a regulator and one without.  I use both the Weber with regulator and am hooked to the one without the regulator and my Blackstone with no regulator is hooked to the one with a regulator.  Good to go on that set up with quick connects and shut off valves as well.

Re: Propane aux port question

Reply #10 –
Any chance I could see some pics of this setup ?  Looks like we run similar appliances

Thanks !