replacing pigtails on propane tanks

[rvshrinker]

I thought this would be so obvious and simple but as usual I run into all kinds of questions.

First I found out that there are ‘two kinds’ of connectors. The one I am replacing has a thread on the male end. This is what I have on the new one as well. Is this necessarily the right one, or are there more than 1 kind with a threaded male end?

Second, is there supposed to be a small washer inside the fitting? There is none on my regulator.

Third, I read different things on line: you must use Teflon tape, definitely do not use Teflon tape, you don’t need anything, or you should use LocTIte of some kind. What is the actually correct answer?

Fourth, Do I just tighten as much as possible? Could I overtighten/strip something?

Ugh. nothing is as simple as it looks to me.

[Old-Biscuit]

"Alright, the old ones I removed seem to have a small more narrow male end, which is inserted into a brass adapter, which I removed ...."

Inverted flare......
Did you open the Link I posted to types of fittings?
Scroll down and look/read about #3


Did you crack the regulator by overtightening??

[rvshrinker]

thank you that is so helpful!

This article suggests yellow tape is the preferred sealing method and adequate:

https://www.oasisngv.com/vdb/document/1179

[Vintage465]

rvshrinker wrote:
I thought this would be so obvious and simple but as usual I run into all kinds of questions.

First I found out that there are ‘two kinds’ of connectors. The one I am replacing has a thread on the male end. This is what I have on the new one as well. Is this necessarily the right one, or are there more than 1 kind with a threaded male end?

Second, is there supposed to be a small washer inside the fitting? There is none on my regulator.

Third, I read different things on line: you must use Teflon tape, definitely do not use Teflon tape, you don’t need anything, or you should use LocTIte of some kind. What is the actually correct answer?

Fourth, Do I just tighten as much as possible? Could I overtighten/strip something?

Ugh. nothing is as simple as it looks to me.

Here is what I think you have going on. The washer you have is actually "one of two" pieces that make up the "back flow" prevention when you take off one tank to fill and leave the other one in place to operate the appliances in the coach. I found when I removed my pig tail, which is 1/4" NPT,(not 1/4" inverted flair), there was a little plastic ball, then the plastic "washer"(you'll find the washer first, then the ball). These two items are behind the pigtail brass 1/4"NPT to provide back flow prevention. This also tells me that if you found the washer, you probably have 1/4" NPT and not 1/4" inverted flair.........but it's hard to say w/o pictures. Also, it seems that the 1/4" inverted flair is the most common and it actually kind of hard to find the 1/4" NPT version. It would be easy enough to convert it to 1/4" inverted flair by using these..........and that is "assuming your's is 1/4 NPT)
https://www.etrailer.com/Propane/JR-Products/37207-30035.html?feed=npn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20%7C%20Shop%20-%20Propane&adgroupid=87654329004&campaignid=242147297&creative=404001548792&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9052718&matchtype=&network=g&placement=&position=&gclid=CjwKCAjwlrqHBhByEiwAnLmYULOMy64upGUTeaSZEN_nFq0nkyO6WOjk4L_N72wNp8A-QvDuFVFdmxoCfqMQAvD_BwE

[StirCrazy]

rvshrinker wrote:
I thought this would be so obvious and simple but as usual I run into all kinds of questions.

First I found out that there are ‘two kinds’ of connectors. The one I am replacing has a thread on the male end. This is what I have on the new one as well. Is this necessarily the right one, or are there more than 1 kind with a threaded male end?

Second, is there supposed to be a small washer inside the fitting? There is none on my regulator.

Third, I read different things on line: you must use Teflon tape, definitely do not use Teflon tape, you don’t need anything, or you should use LocTIte of some kind. What is the actually correct answer?

Fourth, Do I just tighten as much as possible? Could I overtighten/strip something?

Ugh. nothing is as simple as it looks to me.

dont use yellow tape if its pipe thread either, buy a good paste type sealant/thread lubercant that is rated for propane.

I snug them up, then test them for leaks, if there is one tighten a little more till its gone.

Steve

[enblethen]

Your pigtails have 1/4 inch National Pipe Thread. They should screw into your regulator without an adapter.
You need to use about two wraps of yellow Teflon tape o threads.

[rvshrinker]

Alright, the old ones I removed seem to have a small more narrow male end, which is inserted into a brass adapter, which I removed when I took the pigtails off the regulator.

However, the new replacement pigtails seem to have an integrated brass piece so that it would attach directly to the regulator, with no additional adapter needed.

This is what I bought
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083WGZYNZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[rvshrinker]

that is a great question. I continue to experience leaks. I’m not really sure why, I tighten things as much as I could. When I look at the old one, it seems I have the same male brass fitting, I wish I knew how to attach a picture because I could show a picture of each one.

[MitchF150]

Can you take the old ones off first and then match them up for the new ones?

What happened to your old ones that you have to replace them?

I owned a 2003 TT up until 2019 and never had to replace anything on the propane side (except when the cylinders expired.. 😉 ). Even the auto switch over worked fine the whole time.

Mitch

[rvshrinker]

I ‘m really glad I asked because now I’m even more confused.

The two stage regulator is made of zinc. There is no brass fitting.

The male pigtail has a threaded brass end.

Do I need some kind of brass adapter on the regulator?

With or without a brass adapter, do I need yellow gas tape?

[Old-Biscuit]

Types of LP fittings

Yours could be NPT or Inverted Flare (check which in the LINK above)
If old hoses screw directly into REG body then NPT
If old hoses screw into a brass adapter on REG then Inverted Flare

Yellow Gas Tape on NPT...not on Inverted Flare

Tighten until you feel good resistance ....

No washers used.

[enblethen]

There is at least two.
One is a flare, regulator needs an adapter. No yellow Feflon tape on flare fitting threads.
Other common one is pipe threads that go into regulator. Yellow Teflon tape required.