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Old 05-13-2014, 04:17 PM   #1
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Low pressure grill mod - Magma Cabo

For about a year now, I've had the Magma Cabo grill. They're expensive (usually around $200) but I got one on clearance at a West Marine store that was closing. The grill is great. It fits in the rear baggage compartment, has high heat, and is easy to disassemble for cleaning.

The grill came with a valve for use with disposable propane cylinders. I used it with a high-pressure hose and an Extend-a-Flow tee, one of the expensive ones with Acme threads.

The high pressure setup has just been a nuisance because liquid propane accumulates in the line overnight if it's left out due to the distillation effect when the line cools down faster than the tank. Then the regulator freezes up, or if we pack up to leave we have a dangerous amount of liquid propane stuck in the hose, at least what doesn't spray out when the thing is disconnected.

I've heard that frostbite from propane spray is the single largest cause of ER visits by cub scouts on camping trips, and I'm inclined to believe it.
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Old 05-13-2014, 04:20 PM   #2
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So despite the considerable expense I decided to change to a low pressure system this spring.

First I had to get a low pressure propane valve directly from Magma. The Cabo uses the low-flow version of the valve.

The high-pressure valve snaps off (it's held by a spring retaining ring) and the low one goes in its place. I'll keep the high-pressure valve on hand along with a disposable 16 ounce propane cylinder for those occasional situations where we want to grill somewhere away from the trailer.
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Old 05-13-2014, 04:25 PM   #3
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Got the same grill, and the low pressure change is getting closer to the top of my ToDo list.

-steve
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Old 05-13-2014, 04:26 PM   #4
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After checking around I got the low pressure hoses and fittings from TejasSmokers.com.

I've added a low-pressure port on my Cayo and will add one this weekend on my Airstream. In both cases I'm using a 6" x 1/4" piece of pipe, and some neoprene lined clamps, to anchor the port to a piece of 1/2" thick oak stock. I painted the wood grey. The oak provides an anchor that can be riveted to the trailer to provide a secure attachment.

On the Cayo the outlet goes inside the propane compartment. On the Airstream it will go underneath, just in front of the axles, curbside. Here's a photo of the Cayo setup. Airstream photos will follow when I've finished the work on iti.

Haven't been on any trips but a "system test" shows that everything works as it should.
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Old 05-14-2014, 02:12 PM   #5
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How did you tie it into the existing propane system? Is it as simple as teeing into the copper pipe at a convenient spot and running a new copper line wherever, and connecting it to the quick-release connection?
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Old 05-14-2014, 02:42 PM   #6
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Yes, plus a few threaded fittings. I used copper flare tools and picked up the necessary fittings at a home center. I had a short length of suitable copper tubing left over from another project.

On the truck camper there isn't much room so the copper line has to make a loop and T into the main at the top. You can see it in the photo if you look closely.

I've done similar projects on four different stick houses over the years to connect the patio grill to natural gas or to the bulk propane tank. I've learned that the main challenge is to mount these securely so that nothing is damaged when someone eventually pulls on or trips over the hose. It's bound to happen sooner or later.

Which is why the piece of wood as a shim so the whole thing can be mounted as securely as possible and still far enough away from the skin that the release sleeve won't bind.
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Old 05-17-2014, 10:46 PM   #7
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More photos
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Old 05-18-2014, 02:47 PM   #8
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Cool, thanks. Given your comment about people tripping, I'd be tempted to recess the connection under far enough that the hose is already laying on the ground and thus less likely to trip over. Of course that also relies on having a long enough hose.
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Old 03-11-2015, 03:17 PM   #9
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There was just a question on this in another thread, and I'm replying here to add that after a full season of camping, this setup was fantastic.

I ended up also setting up an outdoor two-burner "hot plate" -- essentially a stove -- with a similar hose and a T fitting so I can run it either by itself or with the grill. Useful for keeping the heat out of the trailer when cooking on hot days.

I'm somewhat concerned that an accumulation of road grit may cause the outlet to jam, but so far keeping the dust cover on it, and a little wd-40 from time to time on the sleeve and balls, has kept it working smoothly.

Many advantages over the old high-pressure setup. It is no longer necessary to bleed the lines before disconnecting, I don't have to switch tanks around when one is empty (old setup because of the shape of the T fitting would not work on the roadside tank), the grill is much more reliable since it doesn't get the occasional shot of liquid propane affecting its regulator, and I can locate the cooking area in the middle of the curb side, a better spot than near the tongue.

The Magma grill does not get as hot as I would like but that, unfortunately, is true for me of many gas grills.
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