LP. Gas Systems

[david craft]

All RVs should have 2 stage LP regulators. The regulator should be in a fixed position with the vent facing down or within 45 degrees of down. If you have a single stage, change it please. The old style LP fitting that threads into the service valve(on/off) should be replaced with a "excess flow" POL. This will restrict the flow of the propane in then event of a major leak in the system. These are reverse thread on internal threaded valves and right hand thread on the external threaded valves. It should be said as well that forged flare nuts should replace all the "milled" nuts on the lines...especially on old lines where the nuts will split right down the side with little provocation. Back in the day, it was common to use a tubing bender to get that nice tight radius. But, when the tubing ages and added road vibration occurs, this results in splits occurring in this area as well. Large "vibration" loops are the norm now. It also makes lines easier to connect. I have to admit, old LP appliances make me nervous. But there are some things that can be done to make things safer. LP leak detectors are a good place to start. Use OPD style LP tanks. There are universal style gas controls that could and should be retrofitted to older appliances if you want that old appliance retained. Check for leaks with a thick soap solution sprayed or dabbed that doesn't contain ammonia. I'll close with backyard LP leak test. First, bleed stale LP gas from system so fresh gas is in the manifold. Turn off all valves and pilots. Turn off supply valve on tank. Wait overnight. Turn on range burner and light burner. It should light briefly and go out. If it doesn't light, you have a leak. If it continues to burn, you have a leaky supply valve and the test is invalid. Images of regulators(one and two stage) and flare nuts(milled and forged) can be found by google. I hope this helps someone. Happy RVing and be safe...

[david craft]

ya know ...I edited this blog once and I may again since my memory serves me sporadically nowadays.  I feel like its an important topic and I wanted to cover it completely.  Mrs.Pat Jones always told me,"Writing should be like a woman's skirt.  Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to keep it interesting."  She was the best English teacher ever!  Feel free to add what may have been missed...I like the mention of CO detector as well.  I pasted a pic of the forged flare nut as well.  So others can get a visual...these wont split. If it doesnt post, I'll try editing the original blog...I have a couple more ideas anyways...

[John "T" Nordhoff]

  David, good info I liked it and its the way I generally try and do things and of course, a good LP Gas Detector as well as a good Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector are a necessity in my engineers way of thinking. I especially liked your mention of VIBRATION LOOPS in the soft copper gas lines where they attach to appliances to compensate for all the shock and vibration an RV encounters. IM AFRAID THEY ARE NOT AS PRESENT AS THEY SHOULD BE IN MY OLDER 2001 RV grrrrrrrrrr gotta get after that..........

 John T