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Post by esox07 on Sept 21, 2019 18:52:32 GMT -5
Guys, I have been mulling over a good way to tap into my RV propane line to add a quick disconnect for my Weber grill. I am tired of lugging an extra 20lb tank around and the small 1lb cylinders is just as big of a pain. Here is a photo of the business end of my RV's propane line under the camper. 2011 KZ Sportsmen 19BH.  What I was hoping to do was simply add a 3/8" flare Tee to the end 3/8" flare connection (water heater), then install the Tee fitting there and reconnect the water heater line to that and then the new quick disconnect to the second Tee. But, I have not been able to find a female 3/8" flare to dual male 3/8" flare connectors. Is there a better way to accomplish this with out completely redoing the whole setup. The problem is that the lines are copper and I don't want to have to do a lot of re-routing or re-coupling. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Bruce |
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Post by Soleman on Sept 21, 2019 20:01:40 GMT -5
If it were me I would just use the following:
1.) 1/2" X 1/2" X 1/2" BIP (black iron pipe) TEE
1.) 1/2" X CLOSE NIPPLE
First remove the two existing flare connections going to the furnace and water heater.
Second remove the brass tee flare fitting.
Install the new 1/2" BIP tee and close nipple inline with the existing 1/2" pipe.
Then reinstall the brass tee flare fitting onto the leaving end of the new 1/2" close nipple.
Finally reconnect the two flare connections for your furnace and water heater.
Now you'll have the 1/2" female tee opening to run your new propane line where ever you want.
This is just a suggestion, I'm sure there are many other ways to accomplish the same result.
Hope this helps, good luck!
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Post by esox07 on Sept 21, 2019 22:32:13 GMT -5
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Post by Soleman on Sept 22, 2019 14:12:36 GMT -5
I think any pipe dope will do, or teflon tape. I've been told to make sure to keep the pipe dope back away from the pipe or fitting opening so NONE of it gets into the gas stream.
All fittings you searched from Menards look correct as far as I can tell.
Be careful with flare fittings to not over tighten them, you don't want to split the nut or distort the fitting and cause a leak.
Good luck, I hope this all works out for you.
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Post by lynnmor on Sept 22, 2019 14:41:15 GMT -5
You should use a pipe thread sealant rated for propane. sealants |
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Post by Soleman on Sept 22, 2019 14:43:04 GMT -5
Good advice, thanks lynnmor!
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Post by esox07 on Sept 22, 2019 15:08:21 GMT -5
Thanks to all. I can always expect Lynnmor to share some good advice on any post I put up.
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Post by Edd505 on Sept 22, 2019 21:18:50 GMT -5
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Post by masonict on Oct 1, 2019 6:29:34 GMT -5
Great topic! I have been pondering this very matter on my Sportsman 272BH Show Stopper. Please share any 'after' photos that anyone has. Looking forward to making this upgrade myself and posting that 'after' photo.
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Post by esox07 on Oct 1, 2019 10:04:39 GMT -5
I hope to complete this project yet this fall. Not sure if I will get to it or not, but I hope to. If I do, I will post photos. I already bought the hardware to make the connection to the main LP line. I just need a hose, quick connect and the little round door to run it in and out of the camper. I plan to use the type of door they use for the electric hookup cord. Then just push the hose in and out as needed. I was originally going to just mount the quick connect under the rear corner of the camper, but I figured it would wind getting dirty from road travel, causing problems with the quick connect.
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Post by laknox on Oct 1, 2019 10:08:53 GMT -5
I hope to complete this project yet this fall. Not sure if I will get to it or not, but I hope to. If I do, I will post photos. I already bought the hardware to make the connection to the main LP line. I just need a hose, quick connect and the little round door to run it in and out of the camper. I plan to use the type of door they use for the electric hookup cord. Then just push the hose in and out as needed. I was originally going to just mount the quick connect under the rear corner of the camper, but I figured it would wind getting dirty from road travel, causing problems with the quick connect. The quick connect on my old Komfort had a plug/cap that prevented that from happening. Just sayin'... Personally, I'd rather have the connector bolted to the trailer, and the hose with the grill. Lyle |
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Post by esox07 on Oct 1, 2019 10:39:22 GMT -5
Yah, I know the quick connects have a plug, but it would be behind the wheel near the back of the trailer. It would be a simpler job that way. Since I have purchased that hardware yet, I will explore both solutions before making the decision. Is there a simple way to fasten the quick connect to the trailer frame? I don't think most quick connects have a way to easily mount them on a bracket.
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Post by esox07 on Oct 1, 2019 17:20:50 GMT -5
OK, guys, I finished the preliminary work of adding the additional tap on the propane line. I couldn't complete the project since I could not source the hose and quick connect locally for a reasonable price so I had to order them from Amazon. I just bought a 3/8" flare cap to cap off the new tap connection until I get the parts to finish the project. Here it is as of now. And, yes, I did check for leaks with soapy water and Yes, I did use pipe dope and no, I did not use the pipe dope on the 3/8 flare connections. I only used it on the NPT connections. Once I got the 3/8" flare cap tightened down, I got no more bubbles from the soapy water. So, now I am just waiting for the hose and quick connect to arrive so I can attach them. I measured that I will need about 7 feet of hose from the tap to the rear corner of the camper where I want to mount the quick connect. So, I ordered an 8 foot hose....seems they tend to run in even feet when they get over 5 feet anyway. I will post some more photos when get the hose and quick connect installed. Then, I just have to rig up the grill to use the quick connect.  1/2" npt x 3/8" flare fitting: www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipe-tubing-hoses-fittings-accessories/fittings/brass-fittings/sioux-chief-3-8-flare-x-1-2-mip-brass-adapter/0122135/p-1444442653678.htm1/2" x Close Black Steel Pipe Nipple www.menards.com/main/plumbing/pipe-fittings/black-pipe-fittings/ldr-industries-reg-1-2-black-steel-pipe-nipple/30012xcl/p-1444437534446.htm1/2" Black Pipe Tee www.menards.com/main/plumbing/pipe-fittings/black-pipe-fittings/ldr-industries-reg-black-pipe-tee/312t-12/p-1444437544126.htm3/8 in. Fl Lead-Free Brass Flare Cap Fitting www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-8-in-Fl-Lead-Free-Brass-Flare-Cap-Fitting-801449/207176831Parts still needed to complete project: 8' LP Propane Gas Hose Assembly - 3/8" Female Flare x 3/8" Female Flare www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V81K1LS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=11/4" RV Propane Quick Connect Adapter for Propane Hose - Shutoff Valve & Full Flow Plug - 100% Solid Brass www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y3HTK8W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=11/4" npt x 3/8" flare fitting: www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipe-tubing-hoses-fittings-accessories/fittings/brass-fittings/sioux-chief-3-8-flare-x-1-4-mip-brass-adapter/0122133/p-1444442654626.htm |
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Post by Soleman on Oct 1, 2019 17:32:02 GMT -5
Great! Now pretty soon you'll be cooking with gas!
Pretty corny I know.
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Post by lynnmor on Oct 1, 2019 18:16:07 GMT -5
How do you intend to support the 8 feet of hose? Running hose under the trailer might subject it to damage from road hazards as well as rodents, ask me how I know. From my LP bottles, I cover the hose with heater hose to give the rodents another layer to work on. Chipmunks and squirrels are attracted to propane and the soy product used to make hose. I didn't know exactly how you were running the line or I would have suggested running a length of black pipe to the rear.
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Post by esox07 on Oct 1, 2019 21:03:13 GMT -5
Lynnmor: i guess I could have used copper tubing like they used on the other lines. But, I am still going to go with the propane hose. I guess I could get some Wire Loom big enough to cover it. That would at least protect it from some of the road debris and a light layer against the rodents. I am going to run it up flush on the bottom of the trailer and fasten it with pipe clamps along the way. I could run it along that steel beam cross member and then along the frame rail to the back giving it very minimal exposure to road debris as well.
When you say you cover the hose with "heater hose", do you mean pipe insulation? Or do you mean like rubber radiator hose?
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Post by lynnmor on Oct 2, 2019 7:23:41 GMT -5
When you say you cover the hose with "heater hose", do you mean pipe insulation? Or do you mean like rubber radiator hose? I used the type of hose that runs from an engine to the heater core in a car. It is thick and strong so it also protects the LP hose where it might rub. Here is an example, I'm sure you can find appropriate sizes, length and pricing. |
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Post by rvcouple on Jun 28, 2020 17:09:18 GMT -5
I realize this is an old thread, but how did you connect that line to your grill?
The LP lines in the camper are low pressure regulated from the regulator on the propane tanks. You have to connect the low pressure directly to your burners on the grill. You can't connect it to the regulator on the grill that would normally connect to a propane tank. That regulator takes a high pressure connection directly from the tank.
Is the grill now only usable with the camper? Did you put a Y valve in the grill so you can switch sources, either the low pressure from the camper or the low pressure off the regulator on a propane tank?
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Post by esox07 on Jun 28, 2020 17:28:02 GMT -5
Hi RVCOUPLE: You are correct. I have a female quick connect on the other end of that tap line mounted to the rear underside of my camper. I have a Weber Q120 grill that I removed the built in regulator on and connected a straight hose to a female quick connect on the other end. So, basically, the grill is running of the camper tank and regulator along with all the other camper propane devices. I have used it a couple times this summer and it has worked wonderfully. No more bottles, no more running out of gas in the middle of a cook, no more lugging around a spare 20 lb tank. Just plug it in, turn it on and hit the igniter button.
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