Forum Discussion

ECones's avatar
ECones
Explorer
Nov 13, 2014

Propane hoses leak -- both of 'em

I had my propane tanks filled for the first time yesterday. When I reinstalled, I checked all connections with soapy water and found that both hoses leak.

One tank weighed 36 pounds after filled, and one weighed 39 pounds. Empty weight of the tanks was 18 pounds, so one tank had 18 pounds of propane and one had 21.

There's a caution not to fill the tanks above "80% of capacity", but it's not clear if that's 80% of the 20-pound capacity. I know I always get 20 pounds for the BBQ grill, but .... well ....

In the photo below, the yellow arrow at the bottom points to the joint where both hoses leak.

So .... from the stupid questions subsection of the newby section, do I just replace both hoses, or is this an indication that one or both of the tanks were over filled?

  • coolbreeze01's avatar
    coolbreeze01
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2014
    When you buy the new hoses, buy an extra. For some reason they just don't last like they did years ago.

    I didn't know the color had a meaning. Good info.
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    Nov 13, 2014
    ScottG wrote:
    Last time I replaced my hoses (years ago) I bought a couple of the black plastic coupling types from a someplace like Home Depot. They both leaked at the plastic part!
    A local propane supplier told me only the green color coupling hose assemblies were designed for RV use.
    I can't imagine what the difference is (why would I want my BBQ to leak?) but the green ones did the trick.


    The color difference, identifies fittings with different flow rates. Black (low flow), Green (medium flow), and Red (high flow).

    Using a hose with black fitting, on an RV, you will not have enough flow to operate your furnace, and may not be able to light more than one burner on the stove.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Nov 13, 2014
    I, too, have had to replace both those hoses. Put a fresh tank on, turned on the gas, and heard the hiss. Thought I just didn't get 'em screwed on quite right, but no, they were leakers. No idea why, but couldn't get 'em to quit.

    Replacements were cheap. Just do it.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2014
    ECones wrote:
    I had my propane tanks filled for the first time yesterday. When I reinstalled, I checked all connections with soapy water and found that both hoses leak.

    One tank weighed 36 pounds after filled, and one weighed 39 pounds. Empty weight of the tanks was 18 pounds, so one tank had 18 pounds of propane and one had 21.

    There's a caution not to fill the tanks above "80% of capacity",

    Definitely replace the hoses...easy and inexpensive.
    But, interesting that the tanks were, "overfilled."
    I thought that the required Overfill Protection Device (OPD) would essentially prevent this.??
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Nov 13, 2014
    Last time I replaced my hoses (years ago) I bought a couple of the black plastic coupling types from a someplace like Home Depot. They both leaked at the plastic part!
    A local propane supplier told me only the green color coupling hose assemblies were designed for RV use.
    I can't imagine what the difference is (why would I want my BBQ to leak?) but the green ones did the trick.
  • ECones's avatar
    ECones
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2014
    Thank you for the quick responses. I know it seems obvious, but both hoses leaked in the same place, and it just made me wonder.

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