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ajriding's avatar
ajriding
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2020

Propane Pigtail, NPT or flare?

From propane tank to the regulator I see two types of hoses.

One is the NPT which I assumed the regulator too (1/4 inch threads, though that doesnt match the ruler)
or
1/4 male flare or "inverted male flare". The flare is not an NPT type i do not think.

The regulator does not have a male flare fitting inside.

Do either of these work? I am seeing a lot of flare and very few NPT out there. I have never seen a regulator with a flare inside it, only the NPT style threads. I am not sure or not if the male flare threads will be air tight.

Also, without an RV store, who would sell this? Not HD, not Lowes, Not walmark...

16 Replies

  • Solved

    Video Explanation

    Typically the Change-Over regs have the flare fitting and the single inlet regs have the NPT,
    It's the first thing this guy explains...

    The change-over ones seem to have a brass adapter screwed into the regulator, and it is the brass adapter that has the flare fitting, not the regulator. I suspect that the regulator has a 1/4 NPT on all types and the change over has the brass flare fittings installed so they use flare hoses, would taking the fitting out make it wok with an NPT hose? This is not my issue, but I just wonder this now... Guy above mentioned an adapter and was this the adapter?
  • I hadn't ever thought of Tractor Supply. They have only one item I can find, and its way too long, and not the hand wheel version:
    https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/mr-heater-2-ft-propane-hose-assembly?cm_vc=-10005
    I will keep it as a last resort option.
    HD and other hardware stores do not have Rv pigtails, all they have is hoses to fit a Mr Buddy heater type fitting (top of 1 lb propane disposable bottle) or the ones with the correct ends only have a one stage regulator attached which renders it useless to me.

    I have never seen a regulator with any kind of flare fitting in it, and an inverted one at that. Makes no sense to me, where are these flare fitting used anyway? Some people have said the NPT and flare threads work interchangeably, but I suspect that can't be.

    Can any here confirm, if you have ever changed your hose out in the regulator, that you have an inverted flare fitting on the hose end and a regular NPT thread, female, on the regulator?

    On ebay I find 20 flare pigtails to every 1 NPT, and as far as I know these pigtails are used only for connecting from a tank to a regulator, and most regulators Ihave seen do not have an odd inverted flare.
  • Most farm & ranch stores (Big R, Tractor Supply, Western Ranch Supply, etc.) will have propane fittings. Keep in mind, there are two types of flare fittings, 37 degree and 45 degree. Be sure what you get matches!
  • You need a NPT adapter to the 1/4 flare. Regulator are NPT.
    Ace Hardware, Walmart or Amazon have various lengths.
    Ace propane hose
    Adapter
    Don't forget to use yellow Teflon tape on pipe threads. Do Not Use white!

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