3/8 or 1/2 Inch Copper

[bvcg1]

I'm on the last leg of my restoration and am about to run the gas lines under the trailer to run propane to the appliances. 5.5 cubic foot refrigerator, 17 inch stove, furnace, and hot water heater. Should I use 1/2" or 3/8?

[TennTex]

The original copper was 5/8" OD main line and 3/8" OD branch lines to appliances. Type K or L tubing rated for LPG, not refrigeration tubing.

Have fun,

Alan

[bvcg1]

Thank you!

Originally Posted by TennTex

The original copper was 5/8" OD main line and 3/8" OD branch lines to appliances. Type K or L tubing rated for LPG, not refrigeration tubing.

Have fun,

Alan

[HiJoeSilver]

Original would have been 1/2" main line with 3/8" teeing off to each appliance. If the trailer is shorter than 23" you can go with 3/8" for the main line if you need to pinch $. Longer than that you get to much pressure loss in the 3/8 main line to meet the BTU load if more than the furnace is running at the same time. You can do 1/2" to furnace tee then 3/8" aft.

Flare fittings not compression.

[prairieschooner]

My '58 Traveler has 3/8" to the Heater, Stove and Refer. There is a 1/4" line to the LPG Light.

[TennTex]

Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver

Original would have been 1/2" main line with 3/8" teeing off to each appliance. If the trailer is shorter than 23" you can go with 3/8" for the main line if you need to pinch $. Longer than that you get to much pressure loss in the 3/8 main line to meet the BTU load if more than the furnace is running at the same time. You can do 1/2" to furnace tee then 3/8" aft.

Using 1/2" OD tubing for the main might work, but was not original, per service manual and my old set-up. Also something to consider, all the new (as opposed to the original) regulator-to-main hoses I could find have 1/2" or smaller fittings, so a step union was required. A 1/2" OD main would avoid this, and might be a better and cheaper option.

I just finished working through this part of my redo and need to check all my fittings for leaks next. I'll be using a different leak check method than the PO apparently used (see below).

Spread the fun -

Alan

[DanielB]

On my 74 Excella the main line is 5/8 OD and offshoots are 3/8 OD. Diagram is in the service manual.

[HiJoeSilver]

Copper pipe/tubing (type L, K, M) nominal size(what it's referred to as) 1/2" copper tubing is .625"(5/8") outer diameter.