I have the typical auto changeover regulator on my 5th Wheel. You select the tank you want to draw from and it tells you when the tank is empty and then automatically starts drawing from the other tank. On the opposite side of the RV there is what looks like another regulator installed in the line leading to the auto changeover regulator. What is that for? Is it necessary or overkill? Can it be removed? What is the part name so I can order a new one? It appears to be leaking.Also, what is the best thread sealant to use on the hose threads? Thanks in advance!

That roadside regulator is a 30# regulator....REQUIRED for couple reasons1) Drops cylinder pressure, which can be 100#-250# (depending on temps) down to 30# so you have lower pressure going across full width of 5vr2) Most importantly ....30# regulator reduces the pressure so that the propane vapor doesn't condense into Liquid Propane which would destroy the regulators. Required if hoses are 60" or longerRed Top, Red Regulator, 30# LP Regulator.....standard single stage regulator.YELLOW Gas Tape for fittings

Only use tape on pipe thread fittings, not on flair fittings.If regulators are over 5 years old I would be replacing both. I like my Cavagna brand.

Old-Biscuit wrote:YELLOW Gas Tape for fittingsOr WHITE......The only reason for Yellow Teflon tape is so when a person pulls a fitting apart, its a visual indicator that it is nat/lp gas, and not compressed air, oxygen, or some other gas. Other than the color its the same stuff and you'll not blow yourself up using white tape on a gas fitting.

Ralph Cramden wrote:Old-Biscuit wrote:YELLOW Gas Tape for fittingsOr WHITE......The only reason for Yellow Teflon tape is so when a person pulls a fitting apart, its a visual indicator that it is nat/lp gas, and not compressed air, oxygen, or some other gas. Other than the color its the same stuff and you'll not blow yourself up using white tape on a gas fitting.It is not the same at all. Yellow is much thicker than white, and is required for lp fittings because the white can shred easily and travel downstream, potentially causing problems.

Chris Bryant wrote:Ralph Cramden wrote:Old-Biscuit wrote:YELLOW Gas Tape for fittingsOr WHITE......The only reason for Yellow Teflon tape is so when a person pulls a fitting apart, its a visual indicator that it is nat/lp gas, and not compressed air, oxygen, or some other gas. Other than the color its the same stuff and you'll not blow yourself up using white tape on a gas fitting.It is not the same at all. Yellow is much thicker than white, and is required for lp fittings because the white can shred easily and travel downstream, potentially causing problems.Potentially is a big word.

LP Auto ChangeOver Regulator | Good Sam Community

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Sep 30, 2018
That roadside regulator is a 30# regulator....REQUIRED for couple reasons
1) Drops cylinder pressure, which can be 100#-250# (depending on temps) down to 30# so you have lower pressure going across full width of 5vr
2) Most importantly ....30# regulator reduces the pressure so that the propane vapor doesn't condense into Liquid Propane which would destroy the regulators. Required if hoses are 60" or longer

Red Top, Red Regulator, 30# LP Regulator.....standard single stage regulator.

YELLOW Gas Tape for fittings
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 30, 2018
Only use tape on pipe thread fittings, not on flair fittings.

If regulators are over 5 years old I would be replacing both. I like my Cavagna brand.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
Old-Biscuit wrote:

YELLOW Gas Tape for fittings

Or WHITE......The only reason for Yellow Teflon tape is so when a person pulls a fitting apart, its a visual indicator that it is nat/lp gas, and not compressed air, oxygen, or some other gas. Other than the color its the same stuff and you'll not blow yourself up using white tape on a gas fitting.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:

YELLOW Gas Tape for fittings

Or WHITE......The only reason for Yellow Teflon tape is so when a person pulls a fitting apart, its a visual indicator that it is nat/lp gas, and not compressed air, oxygen, or some other gas. Other than the color its the same stuff and you'll not blow yourself up using white tape on a gas fitting.

It is not the same at all. Yellow is much thicker than white, and is required for lp fittings because the white can shred easily and travel downstream, potentially causing problems.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
Chris Bryant wrote:
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:

YELLOW Gas Tape for fittings

Or WHITE......The only reason for Yellow Teflon tape is so when a person pulls a fitting apart, its a visual indicator that it is nat/lp gas, and not compressed air, oxygen, or some other gas. Other than the color its the same stuff and you'll not blow yourself up using white tape on a gas fitting.

It is not the same at all. Yellow is much thicker than white, and is required for lp fittings because the white can shred easily and travel downstream, potentially causing problems.

Potentially is a big word.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Chris Bryant wrote:
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:

YELLOW Gas Tape for fittings

Or WHITE......The only reason for Yellow Teflon tape is so when a person pulls a fitting apart, its a visual indicator that it is nat/lp gas, and not compressed air, oxygen, or some other gas. Other than the color its the same stuff and you'll not blow yourself

It is not the same at all. Yellow is much thicker than white, and is required for lp fittings because the white can shred easily and travel downstream, potentially causing problems.

Potentially is a big word.

How about to code? Work for you? Regardless, what you said is wrong and bad advice.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
Chris Bryant wrote:
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Chris Bryant wrote:
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:

YELLOW Gas Tape for fittings

Or WHITE......The only reason for Yellow Teflon tape is so when a person pulls a fitting apart, its a visual indicator that it is nat/lp gas, and not compressed air, oxygen, or some other gas. Other than the color its the same stuff and you'll not blow yourself

It is not the same at all. Yellow is much thicker than white, and is required for lp fittings because the white can shred easily and travel downstream, potentially causing problems.

Potentially is a big word.

How about to code? Work for you? Regardless, what you said is wrong and bad advice.

Ok, I was wrong. Yellow tape is thicker.

Bad advice, perhaps in your eyes. Actually some would consider using tape at all bad advice on gas service, ask most licensed plumbers. Most use Rectorseal or the like, at least in a residential or commercial / industrial setting.

To code? On an RV? What code would that be? This foolishness?
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Ok, I was wrong. Yellow tape is thicker.

Bad advice, perhaps in your eyes. Actually some would consider using tape at all bad advice on gas service, ask most licensed plumbers. Most use Rectorseal or the like, at least in a residential or commercial / industrial setting.

I never advised using tape at all, I was just correcting bad, factually incorrect advice. I never use tape, Rectirseal #5 for fittings that might need to be taken apart, Loctite thread seal for fittings that will stay

To code? On an RV? What code would that be? This foolishness?

That's not code, that's an industry seal.

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1192
That's a code, along with the NEC, what I follow when designing, building or repairing an RV.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
Chris Bryant wrote:
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Ok, I was wrong. Yellow tape is thicker.

Bad advice, perhaps in your eyes. Actually some would consider using tape at all bad advice on gas service, ask most licensed plumbers. Most use Rectorseal or the like, at least in a residential or commercial / industrial setting.

I never advised using tape at all, I was just correcting bad, factually incorrect advice. I never use tape, Rectirseal #5 for fittings that might need to be taken apart, Loctite thread seal for fittings that will stay

To code? On an RV? What code would that be? This foolishness?

That's not code, that's an industry seal.

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1192
That's a code, along with the NEC, what I follow when designing, building or repairing an RV.

Granted it's not a code.......but seems to certify compliance with codes, and in actuality means little. If it was larger and not foil it would be of more use wiping your rear end.

I would hope you follow those codes to the letter, because you never know when those pesky code enforcement officers will show up at the campground, tag a rig, and make the owner vacate. They usually show up with the weight police. :D
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
Ralph Cramden wrote:

I would hope you follow those codes to the letter, because you never know when those pesky code enforcement officers will show up at the campground, tag a rig, and make the owner vacate. They usually show up with the weight police. :D

I follow those codes to the letter because if something happens to any rig I have worked o, particularly if it involves loss of life. they go back to every person who worked on that unit. If I don't follow code, I am liable, period. No need for code enforcement when you have a trial.

Codes are there for a reason- they are called "life and safety" codes for a because that is what they are written to protect, and making comments about how it doesn't matter because the "code police" won't how up does a disservice to this community.

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