Propane Fill Connector

WestyDreamer · Samba Member Joined: December 22, 2011 Posts: 157

I remembered awhile back seeing a post that showed where one member made up a Propane Fill extention that Connected to the OnBoard Propane Tank "Large" Service Fill Inlet... This is the connector that a Fill Station Fills the Tank through..

He showed how he made a hose using that Connector and the other end was a normal Home BBQ Tank for extended stay use, or when your tank is empty..

It looked like a great simple idea and nothing to install or propane fittings on the Van to remove or alter.

My Question is does anyone remember that Topic, or what or where to obtain that Large Female Fill Connector...????????
.

thatvwbusguy · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:37 am Post subject:

I think this is the post you are looking for : http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...mp;start=0
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

WestyDreamer · Samba Member Joined: December 22, 2011 Posts: 157

danfromsyr · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:58 am Post subject:

I think you may be referring to this post from TomKay?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=496632&highlight=propane+refill

thatvwbusguy · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:39 pm Post subject:

Propane Fill Valve Adapter:
http://www.protanksupply.com/pol-propane-fittings_detail.asp?ID=3048

Once you have that, go to your local RV place and ask them to make you a dual POL hose whatever length that you want.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

davevickery · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:16 pm Post subject:

I had one of those made. I haven't had a chance to test it out yet as my tank is full. I got the parts from that link I believe. It is helpful to use hand tighten fittings. I have the brass one pictured for the fill valve and a barbq tank fitting on the other end. I have a 1 gallon propane tank that I will take with me when I am running the propane heater.

I saw the pics and decided to try it. I'm not sure and the propane shop that put the hose on it wasn't sure if the the pressure coming out of the barbq tank would be enough to open the fill valve on the westy tank. I figured it was worth a try. Seems like it must work if people are posting photos.

BillM · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:29 pm Post subject:

I still have a couple of the fittings that screw onto the tank fill
valve. Then all you will need is a male POL to POL hose.
If you are going to West River Westies I can hook you
up with one. You supply your own hose.
_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

davevickery · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 7:50 am Post subject:

Buyer Beware. This did not work for me. I have the same hose as below, my tank finally ran empty to test it. Hooked it up and it won't move any propane into the tank. Loosen the nut on the barbq tank and propane comes out, so it didn't safety lock. There just wasn't enough pressure from my 1gallon barbq tank to open the valve on the fill. It is a new fill, not the original auto stop type. I'd be curious who else has tried this and if it worked? Dave

BillM · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:05 am Post subject:

I have been using the adapter hose for my propex heater
for the past year with no issues. Did you try cracking open
the bleeder screw on your buses tank to see if that would
get the propane flowing? Another thing is if you have the
set up with a hose that has POL fitting on each end. Try
swapping it end to end. Some fittings have valves inside
that only allow gas to flow one direction. Did you get
the fitting from me? If you did and your not happy
send me a message. I'll refund your money and
cover shipping to send it back.
For shits and giggles do you have a larger gas grill size tank
you could try to see if it works?
_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

davevickery · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:54 pm Post subject:

Yah, that's weird it does seem to work for other people? My fitting is this one http://www.protanksupply.com/acme-propane-fittings_detail.asp?ID=3049 It doesn't have a valve inside of it. I'm not sure the size of the aux tank matters for LP gas, but now my tank is full again so I can't test it. I think it is the spring tension in the fill valve.

I'll probably rig up different connection inside the van. I wanted it outside for safety, but I can get a propane alarm.

thatvwbusguy · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 6:05 pm Post subject:

The valves inside the plastic hand screw type ACME hoses are very restrictive, they basically flow thru a pinhole and are made for low pressure devices like propane camp stoves.

You need a standard Male POL to Male POL sometimes also labeled as "excess flow" to get the best results. It has worked well for me for over a year of pretty consistent use.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

davevickery · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks, that sounds right. I blew through the end of the hose that has the speed nut connections and it does feel pretty restricted. It's a bummer but good to know.

J Charlton · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 6:23 am Post subject: propane fill extension

Look here http://community-2.webtv.net/VanStuff/VanagonWestfalia/ scroll down through the site and you'll find the extension
_________________
NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024

davevickery · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:25 am Post subject:

That has nothing to do with what we are talking about.

This post is about making up a connector to go from a Bar B Q tank to the fill port on the westy tank. See the pic a couple posts above.

tomkay · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:34 pm Post subject:

I finally got a chance to test out the hose that I had made that was referenced earlier in this thread.

I emptied a 1LB cannister into the tank with no problem. I then attached our BBQ tank and put some of that into the tank on the van as well. I lost my nerve and shut the BBQ tank off quite soon. I was afraid of overfilling the tank. Need to try again and watch for white liquid spitting out of the bleed valve I guess.
_________________
'87 Westy

danfromsyr · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 9:15 am Post subject:

you won't get liquid propane from a BBQ bottle unless you tip it upside down, and then the OPD valve should stop flow altogether.
a BBQ tank hooked to the westy tank doesn't know it's not hooked to a BBQ (regulated hose pressure aside)
you are only filling the westy tank with gaseous propane, very little actual volume compared to liquid levels but the stove and fridge use very little BTUs.
_________________

MsTaboo · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:15 am Post subject:

Here are the bits again. The first is the important one. I got mine from a full service propane shop.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

The other bits are an extension hose, which can be any length you want and can be bought at most camping supply stores.

And put together look like this.

I used mine successfully on my original Westy tank as a back up tank for extended stays. I have since replaced that tank with one from GoWesty. Have not even tried it on the new tank, so not sure it works with the new valving. But it should as I believe the new safety stuff has to do with overfilling not initial flow.
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine.

davevickery · Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:07 pm Post subject:

I've run out of propane for the last darn time. It was pretty cold last night and around 3am the propane ran out. A quick feeble attempt to attached the fill connector to my portable propane tank left me screwed again. I could not get the fill cap off because the roads were completely iced over along with my van. I think I have run out of propane half the times I have run the heater overnight. But this was the last straw.

That fill connector even if it worked is a crappy solution, along with the extended stay version. It just can't be under the van like that when you camp in ice and snow.

I got it rigged up in the morning at 6 and it didn't work anyway. Mine is different from the above ones, I guess I used the wrong hose, but I reamed out the insides so it would flow better. Even if it worked, I would not be satisfied after dealing with it in the middle of the night with everything iced over. When it is 0-10 degrees overnight you can't be messing around.

I think I am going to either put a quick disconnect fitting inside the van, or disconnect the city water connection and rig one up there. That is a more involved, but might be a better solution. The warm propane tank in the van would flow a lot better though. I would upgrade my CO2 alarm to a Propane/Co2 combo alarm if I go that way. You really can't have a propane heater for winter use without having a spare tank somewhere. I may just get a second tank for under the passenger side but I am going to do something.

danfromsyr · Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:53 pm Post subject:

Like the mower or the snow blower it only breaks (runs out) when you're using it.
and the other problem is taking in for a propane fill, and only needing .5gal
on my brother's van we have a 2nd tank mounted on the pass side.. one runs out, you close that valve and open the full tank..

on my van I have one of the busdepot limnited sale XL tanks.. about a 30#'r in capacity..

but there are larger Van body tanks available new still.
for $400~500
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas/lp-gas-tanks.htm
_________________

MsTaboo · Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 7:56 pm Post subject:

Are you sure you have run out of propane? Or has the valve just frozen?

The euro equiped vans have an 12v electric heater attached to the propane line where it exits the tank for use in freezing temps.

You might try finding one of those from vwbushop.de. He ships to America.
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine.


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2