Propane routing question

[Diesel Dan]

Okay, let me preface this by saying I have very little experience with propane outside of the little camp stove size cylinders. Here is what I want to do: I want so set up a 20lb propane tank in a compartment under the bus and have a splitter with two hoses. One will lead inside the bus to my kitchen and the other will lead to a small hatch on the outside of the bus. My idea is to have quick access points with on/off valves that I can attach my camp stove either in the kitchen or outside, depending on where I will be cooking that day. Is this just crazy talk, or is this reasonable?

Thanks!

[gbstewart]

thats a fine plan, you just need to put a tee in the line, the regulator normally comes right off the tank, and the you put a tee in,and go the outside of the bus, just rember that some camp stoves dont need a regulator,and mos tbbqs due, and everything in the bus does ie,fridge stove furnace.hot water.
I had planned on haveing 2 20lb tanks with duel reg ualtors, and a line leading out for quick hookup. but it was going to be a pain in the ass, so I just have 1 20lb, and a spare that I use for the bbq.
gbstewart

[lornaschinske]

Campstoves and the tabletop gas grills have the regulators built into the on/off mechanisms. You would need to "T" off BEFORE the regulator. For outside use, I would suggest that you build or buy an "extend a stay and "quick connect" it before the regulator. That way you can "T" off the set up to run the tabletop gas grill outside... on a tabletop. They are pretty simple to build. Don't let anyone tell you that there is something "special" about the commercial "extend-a-stay" connections. There isn't (except the price), We've looked at them

This is the one we built for the Class C. We have to build another one for the bus because I don't think our daughter will let us have this one back. We used the ACME type nuts with a "Gas Watch" gauge (not to keep track of the LP but to see if we have a leak.... these gauges are not accurate), a "T" and used shutoff valves on each line.


LP Quick Connection to RV between the permanent mount tank and the regulator


This is the cheapie gas grill we use (we get the cheapie grills from WalMart and KMart)

[Diesel Dan]

Thanks for the replies and pics! Lorna, your setup is almost exactly what I have in mind, except I want the valves to be at the points of connection to the stove hose. It looks like your quick connect is similar to an air hose connector? That would be perfect! I know I'm spending way too much money on those little single use propane cylinders so getting set up with the refillable 20lb tank is a priority before embarking on any extended trip.

[lornaschinske]

Originally Posted by Diesel Dan

... It looks like your quick connect is similar to an air hose connector?
.

Similar but not the same. Do not use an air connection instead of an LP connection. The air leaks, LP/Nat gas connection does not.

[Diesel Dan]

Originally Posted by lornaschinske

...Do not use an air connection instead of an LP connection. The air leaks, LP/Nat gas connection does not.

Yeah, that would be pretty stupid and probably disastrous! Thanks for watching my back though - I won't stray from the propane section of the store.

[chev49]

The good air quick couplers like the commercial ones from the coupling supply stores do not leak.
I have 3 sizes of them, and a 1/2 inch one permanently mounted to my accessory tank so that i can run my 1 in air gun as well as all other air tools.
I would not hesitate to install a quick coupler for a propane line inside my barbecue bay so that i could just drag the Colman travelmate out and attatch the hose. (which would go in line before the regulator as suggested in earlier post)

Now that this question has been posted, i think I will do this, as it will be perfectly safe.

It won't meet code of course, but I wont tell the RVIA plate...