propane lines

[airtim]

I was wondering where the best place to get new propane lines at? I need to replace both lines off the tanks and the bigger one going into the trailer . Also what would be the easiest way to purge the air out of these lines when the tanks are hooked back up ? One more question , is there a pipe thread sealer that needs to be used on the threads ? thanks

[Inland RV Center, In]

airtim.

The LPG lines off the bottles are called "pigtails".

If you have tanks with the old style valves, you may not be able to find pigtails that fit.

Newer tanks have what is called an OPD valve. They take a different type pigtail.

Pigtails are available from most any RV dealer.

If your LPG bottles are out of date, you will have to replace them.

It is not necessary to purge any lines when changing bottles.

DO NOT use any type pipe dope or sealer on the pigtail to tank fittings. Just make sure the pigtails have been very firmly tightened.

Andy

[aztlanco]

The "big line" as you descrived it, can be bought at Home Depot or any plumbing store along with the right pipe dough for the gas threaded connectors. You might have to purchase a flaring tool also, which is sold by both stores mentioned above or at Harbor Freight. Good luck.
Ernie
'58 Traveler 18ft.

[Anon]

The pigtails do not need to be replaced because of a change to the OPD valve.
All of the tanks I own have the new OPD installed. I replaced the ones on my Argosy last year. I could use either of the available pigtails. The old pigtails screw into the new valves as there are threads on the inside to accommodate the old pigtails. There are threads on the outside of the valve to accommodate the newer pigtails as well.
The one thing Andy forgot to mention is that if you have the Worthington, (aluminum), tanks it would be economical to replace the valves themselves. The aluminum tanks are not cheap. To replace the valves on my 20# tanks it was $30 each and they filled them up for that price as well.
Worthington has a good visual on their website showing how the OPD valve works. You can click on the link to the java applet titled "6 lb. - 40 lb. sizes equipped with an Overfill Prevention Device (OPD)" from this page. http://www.worthingtoncylinders.com/aluminum.html
Andy is right, DO NOT use any doping on the fittings at the tanks. There are specially designed rubber O-rings that seat themselves at the fittings.
As for purging; turn on an LP appliance and have patience. It will light.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by airtim

...is there a pipe thread sealer that needs to be used on the threads ?

No. Gas lines use flared fittings which require no additional sealant. If it leaks, the flare is bad. The threads have nothing to do with how well the joint seals when flared fittings are used.

Tom

[TomW]

Originally Posted by pattersontoo

...There are specially designed rubber O-rings that seat themselves at the fittings...

I am familiar with those O-rings on AN fittings, but did not see them on either my vintage Airstream, nor at the hardware store where parts were purchased to repair my LPG system.

There are no O-rings sealing the gas system on my Overlander, only flare fittings.

Tom

[Anon]

Originally Posted by TomW

I am familiar with those O-rings on AN fittings, but did not see them on either my vintage Airstream, nor at the hardware store where parts were purchased to repair my LPG system.

There are no O-rings sealing the gas system on my Overlander, only flare fittings.

Tom

Tom,
Sorry, I was reading one post and talking to someone on the phone at the same time.
No O-rings on the pigtails is correct.
As Homer J Simpson would say, "DOH!"

[airtim]

Thanks for all the info. No pipe dope is what I thought. The rubber line leaving the regulator is an item that is available at a hardware store ? What exactly should I ask for when I go to get a new line ? Thanks everybody again.

[Anon]

The line most likely cannot be purchased at the hardware store.
It is an RV line, better known as a "pigtail". You can find it at almost any RV parts store. They are under $10.
The one in the picture is the kind that screws onto the OPD tanks. These are nice because they require no tools to remove and reinstall. You do need to have the OPD valve on your tanks to make this work.
If you have had your tanks refilled in the last two or three years, (or sooner), then you would have the OPD valves. Propane retailers cannot sell propane that is stored in any other type of tank.
Did you get to see the link for how the OPD works?
If you need a link to see what the OPD valve looks like installed on a propane cylinder feel free to ask. I can direct you to the right location.
God bless and good luck.

[airtim]

I know about the pigtails .I was refering to the rubber line leaving the regulator going to the copper line which goes directly to the trailer which then goes to the appliances of the trailer aztlanco says this line is available at Home Depot . Is this line a common hose or is it an RV part store only item . thanks

[eubank]

Originally Posted by airtim

I know about the pigtails .I was refering to the rubber line leaving the regulator going to the copper line which goes directly to the trailer which then goes to the appliances of the trailer aztlanco says this line is available at Home Depot . Is this line a common hose or is it an RV part store only item . thanks

Our Airstream -- maybe all Airstreams? maybe all vintage Airstreams? -- uses standard LP parts available at any full-service LP outfit that not only sells LP, but also does installations, etc. You can tell them because they generally also sell tanks, heaters, etc. Just peek into the Yellow Pages under Gas or LP or Propane.

Lynn

[aztlanco]

Airtim;
Both of my trailers ('63 Safari and '58 Traveler) have copper leaving the regulator all the way to the apliances. That's the line I know you can buy at Home Depot. That rubber hose you mention, I'm not familiar with, sorry about the confusion.
Ernie
'58 Traveler, 18ft.

[airtim]

I got all new lines and everything seems to check out alright . thanks to all who helped answer my questions . sometimes it helps to know there are others there to help

[05ModPod]

I think I had mentioned before - that we now have new regs up here in CAN We have to use the rubber "pigtails from the tanks to the regulator and from the regulator to the main copper line. Once connected the system is supose to be certified by a technician and a tag connected to the LP Regualtor. You can remove the tanks from the reg but if you "break" the seal to the main line you have to get recertified again.

Not sure all the ins and outs of this reg - and have no idea who will be policing it - other than we have to sign a waver that we have read and understand the new regulations (when ever we purchase a new regulator and/or "pigtails".

Any of this happening in the States?

Also re Andy's comment about old valve tanks have to be replaced - not sure if he meant the whole tank or just the valve.

The old vintage aluminum tanks are hard to come buy and pretty pricy to replace. So we took a chance and had our two on the Globe Trotter re-valved at $28.95 plus tax each cnd- they both worked fine (as sometimes the weld can give at the top and/or the thread into the bottle can be damaged by the process.)

[balrgn]

I have not heard of any regulations here in NH. But I have not gone out and tested the waters yet. We can have a new valve put in the old tank have have the tank recertfied. The 72 Argosy we are looking at has Aluminum tanks. So if that goes through I'll be looking at getting them upgraded!

[Anon]

Originally Posted by balrgn

I have not heard of any regulations here in NH. But I have not gone out and tested the waters yet. We can have a new valve put in the old tank have have the tank recertfied. The 72 Argosy we are looking at has Aluminum tanks. So if that goes through I'll be looking at getting them upgraded!

Federal regulations are the only ones that really apply.
If you have new valves installed the tanks have to be recertified. After that you should be good to go in all 50 states.
I do know an old guy out in the middle of the wild Upper Peninsula of Michigan that would fill your tank with the old valve on it up until last year when he finally had to get his supply of propane refilled for the first time in nearly four years! He is so remote that he sold very little propane.

[Anon]

Originally Posted by GT6921

I think I had mentioned before - that we now have new regs up here in CAN We have to use the rubber "pigtails from the tanks to the regulator and from the regulator to the main copper line. Once connected the system is supose to be certified by a technician and a tag connected to the LP Regualtor. You can remove the tanks from the reg but if you "break" the seal to the main line you have to get recertified again.

Not sure all the ins and outs of this reg - and have no idea who will be policing it - other than we have to sign a waiver that we have read and understand the new regulations (when ever we purchase a new regulator and/or "pigtails".

Any of this happening in the States?

Just another way that more laws are not meant to protect so much as they are to generate revenue for the government.
The ONLY law we have here in the states is that you need the new OPD valve and the tank has to be certified.
Thank God and Heaven above that we do not need an official seal tacked on to anything else!
I replaced my old Fisher regulator with a new one. I figured I could probably replace the diaphragm but it was only forty bucks to replace it with a whole new one.
It is amazing how some governments now regulate what is commonly considered common sense things like knowing that something old should be repaired or replaced.
This supports my theory that natural selection in humans is gone. Resulting in stupid people surviving and ultimately propogating!

[balrgn]

Funny, my dad for years filled his own tanks from the suppy tank to the house. He was funny like that, goverm'nt not gonna tell 'im what he can and can't have! On the Argosy project the PO stripped off most of the Propane lines, I'll be looking for parts there from the supply line fitting to the tanks, including regulator........

[wahoonc]

During in depth inspection of my orginal LP system, I found wear/rub marks on the copper line in several locations, plus most of the shut off valves were corroded/rusted in the open postion. I purchased everything I needed to completely replumb the copper portion of the system at Lowe's IIRC the total cost was under $200 and I have a 31' so there are some long runs. The rubber hose between the regulator and the main copper line came from an LP supply house, the pigtails came from a camper salvage yard for $5 each (just happened to be in there and they were brand new still in the package in a salvage unit) My regulator has tested out okay, I may replace it anyway because the red flag is hard to see. Tanks have been recertified with OPD's installed. But I may upgrade to 40# tanks in the future....

The only places that needed any type of sealant were at the ends of the rubber hose between the regulator and the main line, and where the pigtails screw into the regulator, I used teflon tape in those places.

Aaron