Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3512
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Another Propane question
3 appliances: RV refer, stove/oven; 20 gallon water heater; all within 12 feet of the tank. I'm replacing three 5 gallon tanks with one 20 gallon
tank.
1. Can I use one of the regulators that I currently have coming out of the new tank?
2. There will be lots of turns, elbows, tees etc. Do I go with 3/8" copper tubing and flare fittings everywhere; 1/2" black pipe; flexible yellow
gas pipe?
3. The layout would be greatly simplified if I ran the supply lines on the outside of the building and drilled thru the block at each appliance
location. Pros/cons for this?
4. A valve at each appliance? Seems overkill to me as I could simply turn the gas off at the tank to do any work.
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BigWooo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 579
Registered: 1-2-2007
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I don't know about the other questions, but one thing I learned is if you have long runs, or multiple appliances, you need 1/2". On our old house we
ran 3/8 copper tubing. When the tank got low the flames began to burn dirty (especially on the water heater) so we constantly had to change the tank
prematurely. In our new place we have all 1/2" (copper) for the gas. Everything burns clean until the tank is empty.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Our camper is plumbed with 1/2 black pipe mainline and 3/8 copper branches to each appliance; refrig, heater, stove, refrig, hot water .... only one
valve and one regulator. I like black pipe for exterior or unprotected locations - copper can leak at fittings or crack with repeated movement.
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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We run all 1/2 inch copper from the large tank to 2 waterheaters, stove, hottub with individual shutoffs at each unit. We have "very" large runs and
1/2 inch comes highly recommended. I find it a b-tch to relight the pilots ( especially waterheaters ) if you would have to turn everything off at the
tank for maintenance.
And one regulator at the tank.
[Edited on 2-23-2009 by vandenberg]
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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I have dealt with propane for many years, and I agree with ALL that has been said, up to this point. For the small additional expense, the individual
shut-off valves are well worth it for the reason given above IMO.
Barry
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Absolutely individual shut-off valves!
Not so much for convenience as for safety. And you need to be able to get to them easily in case of fire or leaks. A shut-off valve located
behind a burning stove ain't worth didley.
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