replacing a LP regulator- what to purchase ?

[rfuerst911sc]

I have a 1968 Avion C11 that I am restoring. I've never run any of the LP items in the camper. Originally the camper had two 11 lb. horizontal tanks which did not come with the camper when I bought it. I now have a new 20 lb. horizontal tank. Not knowing the condition of the regulator I have decided to replace with new. So I'm going from two bottles to one, but I would like the ability to either add a second bottle on the ground OR be able to " tap in " a second hose to run an outside grill or similar. So would I replace the regulator with a " two bottle " type ? Any suggestions on what regulator to purchase ? I received gift certificates to Tweety's and Vintage trailer supply so I plan on purchasing from one of them. Any advice is appreciated. Happy new year !

[C_Schomer]

I don't know if it was meant for RVs but Rego used to make a 2 stage, auto C/O, 2 tank reg that could be tapped between the 1st and 2nd stages. I don't know if they still make it. I recently found a new/old stock Marshall RV reg like that and it has a nipple between the stages and I put a tee in there to run my RV grill which has it's own reg. There's 18 psi at that point and it works great! Maybe try an LP distributor. You can use a new style RV 2 tank reg and plug one side til you are ready to use it and keep the selector arrow on the in-service tank. I don't think any of the new ones split between the stages. Craig

[69_Avion]

rfuerst911sc wrote:
I do not recall any additional regulators on any of the appliances. To be honest the only " old " appliances I will be using is the oven/range and water heater and I don't think the water heater is original. I will be going to a vented cat heater and I have a newer Dometic fridge to install. The idea of having a tank mounted regulator for the extra tank I had not thought of thanks for that suggestion.
69 Avion you have so many hoses/fittings in that second pic I got dizzy ! I assume the quick connects are for when you tap in aux. LP items ?

You are correct. The Rego regulator will handle anything that I use with it including a 30,000 btu stove and an outside water heater.

[rfuerst911sc]

I do not recall any additional regulators on any of the appliances. To be honest the only " old " appliances I will be using is the oven/range and water heater and I don't think the water heater is original. I will be going to a vented cat heater and I have a newer Dometic fridge to install. The idea of having a tank mounted regulator for the extra tank I had not thought of thanks for that suggestion.
69 Avion you have so many hoses/fittings in that second pic I got dizzy ! I assume the quick connects are for when you tap in aux. LP items ?

[69_Avion]

The original regulator was an auto switch over Rego regulator. They don't make rebuild kits for them anymore, so I purchased a new Rego regulator. They are over $100 but they are much better built than the stuff you normally find on RVs.

You could plug the extra side until you found an external tank to hoo to it. The Rego regulator has plenty of capacity to run any outside appliance that you may normally want to run.

[westend]

This can be a somewhat tricky deal or it can be really easy.

Do you have the original appliances in the Avion and did you notice if any of them have a separate regulator attached? What I ran into was that the appliances in my '71 Starcraft are set up for the older single regulator at the tank, not the newer two stage regulators that are more commonly used. If you have the same situation, you'll need just one regulator at the tank and any downstream output from the single regulated system will work well with a BBQ or other appliance that has it's own regulator (most of them).

You can make your choice as how you wish to plumb in an additional tank input. It will somewhat depend on how you wish to have that additional tank in use. It may be that having another single stage regulator at that additional tank and a length of hose tee'd into the system is the most convenient. That way, you can use the secondary tank to feed other appliances like BBQ's, lights, heaters (if only requiring a single stage) at any location. The use of quick connects may make it even easier and more convenient.

If you have more modern appliances, you'll need a dual stage regulator system and there are regulator headers available that allow for auxiliary bottles and additional appliance runs. Extend-a-stay/Sturgi-stay is one such header.