Anyone know if this hose is available?

[artwhim]

I'm trying to find a short hose with one end that fits into a propane tank and the other with a female B fitting. Anyone know if that type of hose is available? Most seem to have the fitting that works on a HH and that isn't the type I need.


If not, I may have to put an adapter on that is a female B going to a barb and then cut the end of the hose and clamp. Does anyone know if it's a problem using clamps and a barb outside the house? We have freezing cold winters in IL if that makes a difference.

Long story, but I'm trying to refit my old propane line that was installed for a 30lb tank with a POL fitting. The entire thing was hardlined and I really don't want to replace the outside regulator unless absolutely necessary.

[Hayley]

Kathy - you can probably get it made to the way you want at a welding shop.

[Aubs]

I have a hose like that, I had it made at my local ABCO......the guy there only charged me for the brass fittings to fabricate it. It's a reverse threading piece.

[Dale M.]

The tank fitting is a POL (Prest-o-Lite) pretty much industry standard, and you can get them with various "end" fittings like 1/4 NPT and various other configurations. Usually RV supply stores have a variety of styles and thread configurations available. Also RV parts house will have short LPG APPROVED hoses. The problem is going to be to get connected is going to be the FEMALE B FITTING.... Generally they are a crimp on connection on a hose end... However...WESTERN ENTERPRISES does make a female B fitting to 1/4 NPT Adapter... Its a #124...

http://www.westernenterprises.com/enterprises/PDFS/wi14.pdf

You may have to special order it through a welding supply or a dealer that handles Western Enterprises products.

Other option may be: http://www.mcmaster.com

Part number: #7976A21 tank adapter and #7976A34 Hose 12ft...

Though I'm not sure exactly why this configuration you specify is used, it seems non-standard to connect a tank to a hard line....And I'm really wondering what you are trying to do....

And be aware its illegal to bring propane into any residence at tank pressures.... NFPA rules stat 10psi maximum in most cases and 20 psi in industrial situations...

Dale

[artwhim]

Hayley and Aubs, thanks for the suggestions of getting one made to my specifications. That probably would make the most sense, but in my experience living in this area, it usually isn't that simple. I'm 5 feet tall and not a masculine bone in my body, so when I walk into a "guy type" shop, I instantly get the "Weeeeelllll, littttlllle laaddddy, blah, blah, blah" routine. It's infuriating!!! So, I've learned, it's easier to just do it myself if at all possible. Not everyone in rural America got the social reform messages in the 70s.

Dale, here is a picture of the current setup that's been there for maybe 8 years. I haven't used propane for the last couple years, since I also have a NG line. However, I would like to hook the Lynx up again and also run a Smith Little Torch, so it's time to put the propane line back in use. The original hardline (which runs about 20 feet inside the house) was installed by a heating and plumbing company along with the local gas company, so anything illegal would be the professional's fault. But since these are the same guys who missed a gas leak the day they installed it, and had to be called back, I don't put great faith in them, although the gas guy is pretty good and wasn't the one who didn't check his connections.
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The regulator, although not pretty, is in working order. It used to be the only regulator I used. I would set it, then make any further adjustments at the torch. This time, I plan to have a second regulator inside the house.

I will no longer use the larger old tank, but will switch to 20lb BBQ tanks.

Although the current POL fitting should fit inside the 20lb tanks, we've never been able to attach it to one. The problem might be the somewhat rigid copper pipe. Today I removed the thin copper pipe from the regulator. I have an extra fitting that is the proper size for the top of the regulator, but the opposite side is a male B fitting. (It used to be the fitting inside the house, after the hardline shutoff, where the torch hose would screw in.) That is why I was looking for a hose with a B female fitting on one end.

Last night I scoured RV sites for hours, but couldn't find exactly what I need. I do think the combination you mentioned from mcmaster.com might be my best bet. I was hoping for an ACME nut on one end because they are so much easier to attach, but I don't see any that would have the male B fitting, so I probably will go with the POL one you suggested. I was hoping for a shorter hose, but that may not be possible unless I have something custom made.

The other option I was considering would be to use the fitting on the regulator with the male B fitting, and add to that a female B with a spike end. Then I could get a HH bulk hose, cut off the end and secure it on the spike with clamps. I just wasn't certain I liked the idea of using a cut hose and clamps outside. Perhaps it doesn't make a difference.

Thanks for your help!!

[Dale M.]

I would suggest going to RV store/shop or maybe locak propane dealers show room or maybe ace (but that depends on clerk helping you - you may get the guy who thinks its the "dumb little lady").... Its so much easier to pick up pieces, look at them screw parts together and walk out of store knowing its going to work... Not That I'm against online buying, but sometimes the part you need just does not show up in on line stores but it may be there in a bin or hanging on peg board in brick & mortar store....

It would also appear that maybe adapter/reducer in regulator may be standard pipe thread (1/4 or 3/8 or /1/2 inch) if this is so it makes getting "off the shelf" connections much easier...

This product may be similar to what you are looking for or something very similar, some of these MR Heater products are available at better hardware stores.....

http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=355&id=46

http://www.mrheater.com/productdetails.aspx?catid=355&id=355

http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=355&id=62
("b" fitting is 9/16 LH thread)

It may require you changing the reducer and nipple on regulator though but that is easily done with a couple of wrenches...

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Last but desperate move could be to put tank up on a platform so it attaches to existing plumbing till you can get correct parts to make "right" connection...

And yes even out side a barbed fitting an hose clamps is not really safe at tank pressures (125psi @ 70°f.)...

Dale

[NMLinda]

Hi Kathy - If I understand your posts, all you'd be doing is replacing the short section of copper tubing from the tank to the regulator. Is that right? If you have trouble getting the POL fitting back into the tank because of the stiffness of the short straight copper tubing, perhaps you can replace the section between the tank and regulator with a longer piece so that you can put a coil or two in it for a 'coil spring' effect. That should give it a nice strain-relief so that it's easier to re-attach to the tank. Hope that makes sense. You can likely find the same size copper tubing as you have now at any RV or hardware store. It's usually sold coiled in a box, so part of the job is already done for you. You might also be able to re-use the fittings you have. If they are compression fittings, you'll need to get new ferrules for the new tubing and a tool to flare the end of the tubing. You can then re-use the outer pieces to both the tank POL and to the regulator. It's not difficult to do yourself if you're inclined. It's also a simple job to have someone do this for you. If you take the old piece to an RV or welding shop and explain what you want, shouldn't take them more than 10 minutes to make a new one for you. The coil idea comes from other LE/WC members, by the way, who seem to find this works well for them.

Good Luck!
Linda

[Dale M.]

Hi Kathy - If I understand your posts, all you'd be doing is replacing the short section of copper tubing from the tank to the regulator. Is that right? If you have trouble getting the POL fitting back into the tank because of the stiffness of the short straight copper tubing, perhaps you can replace the section between the tank and regulator with a longer piece so that you can put a coil or two in it for a 'coil spring' effect. That should give it a nice strain-relief so that it's easier to re-attach to the tank. Hope that makes sense. You can likely find the same size copper tubing as you have now at any RV or hardware store. It's usually sold coiled in a box, so part of the job is already done for you. You might also be able to re-use the fittings you have. If they are compression fittings, you'll need to get new ferrules for the new tubing and a tool to flare the end of the tubing. You can then re-use the outer pieces to both the tank POL and to the regulator. It's not difficult to do yourself if you're inclined. It's also a simple job to have someone do this for you. If you take the old piece to an RV or welding shop and explain what you want, shouldn't take them more than 10 minutes to make a new one for you. The coil idea comes from other LE/WC members, by the way, who seem to find this works well for them.

Good Luck!
Linda

Linda's idea is probably simplest and easiest and least expensive!

Dale

[artwhim]

Thanks for all the help! Don't ya love it when a plan falls together!