photobug
Seattle, WA
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Joined: 03/26/2003
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Has anyone tried to replace the standard propane tank hose connect with a quick disconnect? I'm getting tired of trying to find a wrench everytime I need to refill the tanks. I wanted to put the type you can undo with your hands, but it seems like you need to replace the tanks plus at least the hoses from the regulators. At a $160 a piece for new tanks, I'd rather not have to do that.
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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If you decide to do it yourself be careful. There are two different propane hose quick disconnects. One is for low pressure 11 wc and will leak if you try it on tank pressure. That is the one commonly found on outside barbeque hookups. Voice of experience speaking here (-:
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javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
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I believe the OP is speaking of the connections at the two propane tanks and not one for a auxilliary propane connection.
Unless you have two horizantal tanks, if you have the current legally required vertical propane tanks that have the valve that will accept the POL fittings (sounds like you have these) and the outside threads for the newer Acme fittings, then all that would need to be replaced is the two rubber pigtails for around $15.00 each.
I don't imagine you would still be using the older style tanks with just the internal POL threads because these have been illegal to fill since around 2003 IIRC.
If your tanks have the triangular shapped knob on top, they should accept the new Acme fittings.
The valve should look like THIS. Those threads around the outside of the valve opening is what will accept the new rubber pig-tails with the Acme nut that can be undone by hand.
This is what the new hoses will look like.
BTW, what kind of tanks do you have that cost $160.00 each to replace??
And finally, if you don't have Acme threads on your current tanks, THIS adapter will convert your tank valve to be able to use the new Acme-fitting hoses.
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photobug
Seattle, WA
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this is what's on there.
Needs a wrench and is made of soft brass which wears out with use. I'm looking for a connection like the one shown in the previous post. As far as the tanks go, I think they're just standard 7.5 gal vertical rv tanks. The ones that the rv place quoted have a guage on them. dunno why they're that expensive.
Moderator edit to show photo
* This post was
edited 10/30/09 12:31pm by an administrator/moderator *
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photobug
Seattle, WA
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dumb thing isn't posting picture again. this is what's on there http://www.flickr.com/photos/33607355@N07/4057001730/
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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I don't think I've ever SEEN anyone using a wrench to disconnect propane bottles. Just a quick turn by hand will loosen the standard bottle connection and it's actually a lot FASTER than the "quick connect" fittings.
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photobug
Seattle, WA
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not these apparently, they need a wrench to loosen and tighten them. kind of a pain.
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javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
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OK. these are the early OPD valves that still used the POL fittings.
That adapter in my previous post will work with new hoses as I had mentioned.
Also, You should be able to get 5-gallon tanks for around $23.00 and the 30-gallon ones for around $60.00 w/o a gauge if you wanted to change out the tanks.
Another thought is that they used to sell a large knurled knob that slipped over that POL fitting so you could hand attatch the fitting.
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javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
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skipnchar wrote:I don't think I've ever SEEN anyone using a wrench to disconnect propane bottles. Just a quick turn by hand will loosen the standard bottle connection and it's actually a lot FASTER than the "quick connect" fittings.
Before the new OPD tanks emmerged in the early 2000's, all tanks needed a wrench to remove the POL fitting like in the OP's picture.
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esevin
NorCal
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Okay, since I just went through this about a week ago, I'll give an update on what I have found. If photobug (or others) have horizontal vapor withdrawal tanks, as of 2002 they are exempt from requiring OPD retrofitting. All vertical vapor withdrawal tanks require the OPD valve upgrade.
There are basically three alternatives for these older horizontal vapor withdrawal tanks.
1) You can upgrade to the new horizontal vapor withdrawal OPD tanks (10487) which will connect to the QCC connectors and are very expensive. The best price on line I could find was that US Carb site which has increased their price from $74 to $125 per tank. I tried to buy from them and even though the site says they are $74 the inside sales person called me back and told me they were now $125 each plus $20 shipping.
http://www.uscarb.com/horizontal.htm
I bought two of the 20# (5 gallon) 10487 tanks from a local propane dealer for a more reasonable $69 per tank.
2) You can stay with the older tanks, since as of 2002 they are exempt from the OPD upgrade requirement as long as they have an affixed label stating so. This can still be a problem as many tank refill locations don't know this and will refuse to fill the old style horizontal vapor withdrawal tanks.
3) There is also an adapter that you can purchase (I have one for my spare tanks that I will use as back-ups) that will allow you to fit the older tanks with the newer QCC pigtails. Here is a link to an online site that sells the adapter:
http://www.gas-lights.net/servlet/the-29/Convert-dsh--A-dsh-Tank/Detail
(Edit: I just noticed that this adapter was already identified by javaseuf. This site's price is a bit less.)
By the way, the above information is only valid if photobug and others are using older style horizontal vapor withdrawal tanks. All vertical vapor withdrawal tanks require OPD valves similar to the ones we use for BBQ grills.
(Edit: As javaseuf has mentioned, photobug's tanks look vertical from the photo. However, that photo was not visible when I posted this info. Sorry for the confusion.)
E7
* This post was
edited 10/31/09 04:18am by esevin *
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