Weber Q conversion to run off house tanks

There have been a number of threads about converting BBQs to run off the RV propane tanks. Most questions center around which fittings to buy, where to buy, and how to remove the BBQ regulator.

I'm starting a new thread because I just purchased the fittings I need from Calore Equipment and wanted to share some information. (Their site: www.caloreequipment.com )

First, the customer service has been excellent. I've had a number of questions and they've been answered quickly and accurately. Not only that, when I corresponded with a senior member of the management team about obtaining a 1/8" fitting for the Weber Q, he immediately recognized that folks with that BBQ could use a 1/8" fitting and put one into production.

Second, they have the fittings you need. To save people time, I'll list what I bought with part numbers:

1. #401153 1/8" MNPT - 250 Male quick disconnect (for the Weber Q...this is the fitting newly in production...so you no longer have to step down from a 1/4" fitting!)

2. #104052 Female quick disconnect and ball valve assembly (this is to put on the RV. For safety, I'd recommend using a valve...either integrated as I did or get a separate valve)

3. #100395-120 10' RV dual quick disconnect hose (to connect RV to BBQ)

4. #302004 Dust cap plug (to cover the fitting on the BBQ when not in use)

5. #302005 Dust cap socket (to cover the fitting on the RV when not in use...turns out you don't need this as part 104052 comes with a dust cap)

If you're measuring fittings, this is a great resource:

http://www.fairburyfastener.com/xdims_pipe_threads.htm

I haven't made this modification yet. I still need to go to my trailer and figure out which fittings I need to attach the female QD/valve assembly to the existing plumbing. Those fittings should be available locally and will vary depending on your RV (...mine has a hard gas line running down the length of the trailer to the water heater in the rear...I'm going to tap into that line where it branches off to feed the water heater, stove, or heater).

In terms of cost, with shipping I spent $95 and will likely spend another $5-10. I can buy a lot of little propane bottles for that amount of money. For me, it's about the convenience of not having to stock up on propane. I figure if my trailer manufacturer offered a "BBQ quick disconnect fitting with 10' hose" for $100, I would have checked that box without thinking about it.

The person who helped me at Calore asked me to send photos of the installation so they can use them to help others making this modification. I'll also post them here once this project is finished.

CREATO
Explorer
Feb 28, 2013
webslave wrote:
LynnandCarol wrote:
so this is a mod for continued use hooked to the trailer. We are looking for a mod that would keep the regulator on the grill, so we can use at different locations (i.e. cabin, day parks, etc.). So we are interested in a mod that would have to take place at the dual tanks.

I did the Weber mod many years ago... I also like being able to take the grill away from the campsite and use it on picnics. I just added a quick connect fitting to the regulator where it came off the grill. The regulator now quick connects back onto the grill and I carry a couple of those 1 lb cylinders to use when we take it with us sightseeing and picniking. Regulator off, connect to the coach's quick connect. Quick connect the regulator back on and use the 1 lb cans that it was designed for. One grill, multiple uses.

Now that makes sense
jrichard
Explorer
Feb 28, 2013
webslave wrote:

I did the Weber mod many years ago... I also like being able to take the grill away from the campsite and use it on picnics. I just added a quick connect fitting to the regulator where it came off the grill. The regulator now quick connects back onto the grill and I carry a couple of those 1 lb cylinders to use when we take it with us sightseeing and picniking. Regulator off, connect to the coach's quick connect. Quick connect the regulator back on and use the 1 lb cans that it was designed for. One grill, multiple uses.

Great idea
allen8106
Explorer
Mar 02, 2013
My quick connect is built in to the rig and is plumbed before the regulator valve.
C_Schomer
Explorer
Mar 03, 2013
I tried deleting my grill reg and putting 11" to the orifice and it barely had enough flame to get warm. I wanted to avoid getting into the high tank pressure and to make the story short... I found that I needed at least 15 psi to the grill reg so I teed in between the 1st and 2nd stage regs (my old Marshall is built so I can do that) and I had ~18 psi there. That was enough to get high fire with the grill reg/control installed and the supply always comes from the in-service tank. Craig
joegage
Explorer
Apr 16, 2013
I contacted Calore (caloreequipment.com) about this subject and spoke to a very nice and knowledgeable gentleman. He said that all that's needed is "RV Quick Connect Hose with 1"-20 Disposable Bottle Male Connection" which is SKU #100476-100476-72, available in various lengths. No need to remove the Weber regulator. He said contrary to so-called expert opinions, this regulator, in addition to the one on the trailer, will likely not reduce gas flow by any significant amount, at most 10%. I look forward to receiving my new connector and trying it out.
YamaDooed
Explorer
Apr 16, 2013
Back in the day of hooking to the trailer my expert opinion was almost 350degF difference? Its unfortunate that Weber would not let me talk to anyone in their engineer'n dept as their 10' disp hose adapter in stock form was restricting the flow also... At the time I thought hook'n to the trailer was best butt now only hook to a 5lb tank and can place it anywhere on the campsite which is more convenient and my 220 goes up to a wicked 700degF.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Apr 17, 2013
joegage wrote:
I contacted Calore (caloreequipment.com) about this subject and spoke to a very nice and knowledgeable gentleman. He said that all that's needed is "RV Quick Connect Hose with 1"-20 Disposable Bottle Male Connection" which is SKU #100476-100476-72, available in various lengths. No need to remove the Weber regulator. He said contrary to so-called expert opinions, this regulator, in addition to the one on the trailer, will likely not reduce gas flow by any significant amount, at most 10%. I look forward to receiving my new connector and trying it out.

Yes, you can give that a try as some have done it and said it works ok. Some members have reported low flame and low btu output when leaving the Weber regulator on. I ordered the fitting from Calore to replace the Weber regulator for that reason. Let us know how your setup works.
boubou64
Explorer
May 12, 2013
I have a line all the way to the back of the RV as well as hoses already.
Do I need all the list as on the first post or is the part #401153 enough? will my current quick connect hose fit this fitting?
why are there some fittings 1/4 and this one is 1/8?
glorio
Explorer
May 16, 2013
I bought a fitting to fill the green bottles from any Propane tank.
It work better if the green bottle is colder than the larger tank.
About $16.00 at CW or most RV dealers. I also have 10' hose that
connects to a "stay and play" T on RV Tank. The T also allows you
to hook a Tank to the RV tank if you are low on Propane.
jrichard
Explorer
May 23, 2013
I need to correct my original post.

I still haven't modified my BBQ (I have one small propane bottle left to use), but another member pointed out to me that the WeberQ has a MNPT fitting to which one attaches the quick disconnect.

Part #401153 (1/8" MNPT - 250 Male quick disconnect) is MNPT. Ideally, you want it to be FNPT...I haven't checked with Calore, so I don't know if they make one. The easy workaround for part #401153 1/8" MNPT is to pickup a 1/8"FNPT-1/8"FNPT coupler at Lowes, HD, etc. Sorry about the inaccurate information!