Hello, I am having serious problems trying to hook up an external 20lb propane tank to my RV.It's a 1988 Super Chief and nobody, not even RV supply stores has anything that can help me, and I can't seem to find anything online that fits the new OPD cylinders, everything is for POL. Below is what is installed. There is a high pressure hose that ends in a 3/8 Flare fitting.All I need is a OPD to ANYTHING adapter and I could get the parts at a hardware store to adapt.But I can't for the life of me find anything that connects to the 20lb tank that isn't regulated. I've bee spending days calling and driving around but nothing. Is it really this hard?Help?http://i.imgur.com/AV2rhmF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lN0KlW2.jpgEdit: Can't seem to post pictures or links so adding them here.

Effy wrote:extend a stay?It already has something like that, I posted some pictures of it. There is a Y coming out of the tank to the right, one goes into the two-stage regulator and the other line runs into a propane stove with it's own regulator.I can remove that second high pressure line, complete with shut off valve but that's a 3/8 Flare which won't connect to the propane tank.And every extend a stay that I have found online says it's for a POL connection and all the new tanks are OPD.

I'm not understanding your problem. To the best of my knowledge, OPD refers to the valve, not the connection. All of the newer portable tanks with OPD valves will have an ACME thread. Many of those valves also have a POL thread on the inside.If you are concerned that the available hoses have a flow restriction device, that shouldn't cause a problem because they don't reduce pressure but simply restrict flow if the hose were to break. BTW they are usually removable, but I won't advise you to do so.You can find many hoses with ACME connections on one end and either a reverse flair or NPT fitting on the other end.

This is a 12 inch rubber pigtail with 1/4inch inverted flare x QCC... $12 on Ebay. I think all 20 lb have left hand threads on the inside.

You just need a standard LP pigtail- the small end needs to be 1/4" inverted flair. This attaches to the plugged port facing the camera. All cylinders will take a POL fitting, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding the ACME QCC. Most kits include the POL because they often rent 100 lb cylinders, which are POL.

Help with external propane supply. | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2016
That will work fine- BTW, no tape or sealant on those threads- they are inverted flair.
Ian6
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
Thanks everyone for all the help. This stuff sure is confusing when you are unsure of just what all the connectors are. I didn't even realise there were aftermarket parts on this thing. And all the pictures of extend a stays are rotated so it wasn't obvious to me what I was seeing. I kept hearing "top port" and didn't have one.

Excuses excuses. :)

I ordered this and will hook it up after work tonight.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZHB86/
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Dec 13, 2016
That brass Plug with the plastic holder.. That is your PROPANE INLET

I'll find the hose for you.. Hold on

Sturgi-Stay kits

the hose on the "Standard" kit is what you need. Camping World should have it or a professional PROPANE place may have it .. In assorted lengths.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2016
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Just remember, when you hook 2 propane tanks together without an isolation valve they will spontaneous level.

An empty 20# tank and a full 20# tank hooked together will result in 2 1/2 full tanks.

No they won't, unless you can get liquid to run uphill.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2016
Just remember, when you hook 2 propane tanks together without an isolation valve they will spontaneous level.

An empty 20# tank and a full 20# tank hooked together will result in 2 1/2 full tanks.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2016
Kayteg1 wrote:
I think inverted flare is for newer stuff.
My 10 years old BBQ and 10 years old camper have hoses like above with 1/4" pipe connector on the end.
Looks to me like original Tee has 1/4" pipe threads.

No, inverted flair has been used for 50 years, and the connection I mentioned, with the plug in it facing the camera is a 1/4" inverted flair. All the OP needs is a standard pigtail, period.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2016
I think inverted flare is for newer stuff.
My 10 years old BBQ and 10 years old camper have hoses like above with 1/4" pipe connector on the end.
Looks to me like original Tee has 1/4" pipe threads.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2016
All you need.
vegasfoodguy
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2016
Go to a propane supply facility (Not a gas station) Amerigas Etc. They will have proper fittings.
Dutch_12078
Explorer III
Dec 12, 2016
Have you checked the inner bore of your cylinder's OPD valve? I've never seen one that only accepts an external ACME fitting and not an internal POL as well. If you buy a hose with a "soft" POL fitting that has an O-ring on it, they often come with a plastic grip that requires no tools to change cylinders.

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Help with external propane supply.

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