Propane experts?

[AirBossdavid]

Hello, here is my latest issue/learning opportunity.

I have a 2001 HR Ambassador DP.

I wanted to instal an "extend a stay" adapter to the propane tank. However when I get underneath and look at the tank/connections I do not have a standard POL type connection on the tank. It has an electric solenoid valve, Pic attached.

The functionality I would like from the extend a stay valve is to be able to connect my ful pressure appliances (BBQ, outside stove, outside fire pit) to the main RV tank, AND if I run out of propane, the ability to connect a 20 lb tank to the coach temporarily to have heat/stove/hot water etc. (My fridge does not have propane functionality).

Has anyone else done this? If so can you give me some advice?

[twinboat]

Follow the hose to the regulator and install a T fitting and quick connect on the high pressure side.

[Skip426]

The " cross chassis " mounted tanks do have issues with an Extend - a - stay system .
Particularly the 20 lb bottle to use for furnace and water heater, in the event the main tank goes dry .

My kit requires removal and caping ; at the tank ; the supply hose from the bottle for travel .

After sliding around under a friends 99 Diplomat , we decided that the solution , since he was carrying the 20# anyway , was to dedicate it for outside use and leave connecting to the main tank alone.

Only if you're spending months at a site, over the winter , with no access to delivery of propane are you likely to require moving the coach to fill the main tank .

[AirBossdavid]

Originally Posted by Skip426

The " cross chassis " mounted tanks do have issues with an Extend - a - stay system .
Particularly the 20 lb bottle to use for furnace and water heater, in the event the main tank goes dry .

My kit requires removal and caping ; at the tank ; the supply hose from the bottle for travel .

After sliding around under a friends 99 Diplomat , we decided that the solution , since he was carrying the 20# anyway , was to dedicate it for outside use and leave connecting to the main tank alone.

Only if you're spending months at a site, over the winter , with no access to delivery of propane are you likely to require moving the coach to fill the main tank .

In my case the issue is that the gauge for propane does not work, so I have no clue what the level is in the tank. I don't want to spend the money to fix the gauge.

I also don't use that much propane, When boondocking it runs the stove, furnace and water heater. If the temps are not cold enough for furnace, the 38 GALLON tank will last years. Even running the furnace occassionally it will last a very long time. What I don't want its to run out at a time when it is difficult to find a fill station and I am forced to do it "now". With the ability to connect an external 20 lb tank I can take my time. The last time I had it filled it only took 11 gal. I was sure it was low.

Thanks.

[mlpeloquin]

If you can see the end of your tank, slap one of these on the end a quarter way up from the bottom. It is a rough gauge, but that is most likely what you want. 1/3 to 1/4 tank left warning.

[twinboat]

The gauge sender is where I marked. It's a $30 peice that snaps on or has 2 small screws holding it. It has 2 wires up to the indicator.

No need to shut off or drain the tank because it's got a float inside the tank that turns a magnet. That internal magnet turns the outside needle, which has a variable resistor to send the signal up to the indicator lights.

[Skip426]

Most propane tanks the sender is independent of the internal float and rotating magnet , so draining the tank isn't required.

EDIT: I see twinboat posted the same info while I was digging up the picture , sorry for the duplication.

[CptBill]

I would replace that hose on there before you do anything else, looks like a cracl near the fitting

[dssl]

I can't make out what the issue is in your picture, and why you can't put it at the tank. Here is my take on a propane tap.


There are a few issues with a propane tap that are not immediately apparent that are relevant to short and long-term success that I will try to describe

The output of the extenda stay is full propane tank pressure which is about 200psi. The output of your RV regulator is about .5 PSI. Your grill regulator output is likely around 1 PSI. If you hook up the output of the extenda stay to your grill it will work for a while but an acidic oil will build up in your high pressure propane line which will eventually destroy your grill regulator. The solution to this problem is to add a 15-20 psi regulator at the extenda stay and then hook up your grill hose to the regulator output. At that point you will be "double regulated' but since a regulator adjusts to the output pressure and each regulator is dropping the pressure your grill regulator will work perfectly.

Here is a video from the RV geeks that somewhat explains it.

https://youtu.be/Kbp4LiOjXbI


Here is a list of amazon links for what I purchased for my setup.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007PD3M64/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003NXYB5Q/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M4GTKUP/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?smid=A1Y383J9SQ9XAN&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06Y3HTK8W/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_4?smid=AXO3Y8HYXC74B&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BPGRXI/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_5?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FKBXCE/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_6?smid=AALFJ2EJTZY9V&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N95Y7PD/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_7?smid=A3RFCB56HIHPI8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BQM8IU/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07R392VBK/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_9?smid=A317X1CCF429DL&psc=1


For my fire pit I removed the bottle fitting on that regulator and installed one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074W7VPJS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by dssl

I can't make out what the issue is in your picture, and why you can't put it at the tank. Here is my take on a propane tap.





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The standard propane tap ( extend a stay ) has POL fittings, like in you picture.

The OPs picture clearly shows a flair fitting, not a POL fitting. They are not interchangeable.

[AirBossdavid]

Originally Posted by mlpeloquin

If you can see the end of your tank, slap one of these on the end a quarter way up from the bottom. It is a rough gauge, but that is most likely what you want. 1/3 to 1/4 tank left warning.


Attachment 373428

That won’t really work for me since to see the tank I have to crawl under the rv. But thanks for the thought. Might get one for my home bbq.

[AirBossdavid]

Originally Posted by twinboat

The gauge sender is where I marked. It's a $30 peice that snaps on or has 2 small screws holding it. It has 2 wires up to the indicator.

No need to shut off or drain the tank because it's got a float inside the tank that turns a magnet. That internal magnet turns the outside needle, which has a variable resistor to send the signal up to the indicator lights.Attachment 373429

Thanks both twin mom boat and skip426. I had no idea it was that easy. Saw that sender and assumed I would have to empty the tank to remove it. I’ll order the sender.

[AirBossdavid]

Originally Posted by CptBill

I would replace that hose on there before you do anything else, looks like a cracl near the fitting

Thanks for that and good catch. I had noticed it and the replacement hose arrives Monday. I did not reinstall the old one.

[AirBossdavid]

Originally Posted by dssl

I can't make out what the issue is in your picture, and why you can't put it at the tank. Here is my take on a propane tap.


There are a few issues with a propane tap that are not immediately apparent that are relevant to short and long-term success that I will try to describe

The output of the extenda stay is full propane tank pressure which is about 200psi. The output of your RV regulator is about .5 PSI. Your grill regulator output is likely around 1 PSI. If you hook up the output of the extenda stay to your grill it will work for a while but an acidic oil will build up in your high pressure propane line which will eventually destroy your grill regulator. The solution to this problem is to add a 15-20 psi regulator at the extenda stay and then hook up your grill hose to the regulator output. At that point you will be "double regulated' but since a regulator adjusts to the output pressure and each regulator is dropping the pressure your grill regulator will work perfectly.

Here is a video from the RV geeks that somewhat explains it.

https://youtu.be/Kbp4LiOjXbI


Here is a list of amazon links for what I purchased for my setup.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007P...KIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003N...KIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M4...J9SQ9XAN&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06Y3...8HYXC74B&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000B...KIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000F...2EJTZY9V&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N9...56HIHPI8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000B...KIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07R3...CCF429DL&psc=1


For my fire pit I removed the bottle fitting on that regulator and installed one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074W...b_b_asin_title

Thanks for that as well. I had realized that and had seen the video you tagged. My immediate issue was that the extend a stay adapter uses a pol connector. As shown in your picture the tank in the pic has a pol female connector after the valve. There is no pol connector in my system.

I ordered what I need today to put in a t on the high pressure side at the tank but after the shut off valve. That will connect to a 5 ft hose then a shut off valve, a regulator dropping the pressure to 20 psi. From there 12 foot hose to a quick connect.

This also allows me to remove the regulator, replace it with a male pol connector, turn off the main valve and I can use a 20lb tank to run the coach.