Connecting 1lb propane tank to Westy stove

[fxr]

I refill 1lb propane 'one-use' tanks on a regular basis.

The danger problem isn't the main valve on top - it's the schrader valve at the side, that has to be pulled opened with a suitable tool (DIY) in order to fill the 1lb tank to 80% quickly and safely. That side valve is r-e-a-l-l-y a one-time use valve. I reckon about 10-15% of my 'old' tanks don't seal properly at that valve once this valve has been woken/broken into use. Use your eyes, nose and ears!
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[shagginwagon83]

My OG propane tank has finally ran out of propane! I thought it was magical and was never ending!

I'm going to drop my OG tank and switch to the 1lb canisters.

I noticed Syncro Joel used a 1-stage regular and Van/Cafe + RMW both use 2-stage. One post earlier said some states require the two stage. I really like the placement of Joel's. I don't think I can do that with the two stage. Any thoughts?

Marshall
Type: Two Stage
Max. Inlet Pressure: 250 PSI
Inlet Connection: 1/4" FNPT
Outlet Connection: 3/8" FNPT
Exterior Finish: Raw Zinc / Powder Coated

https://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Excelsior-MEGR-295...amp;sr=8-1
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Abscate]

How does the refillable propane canister address the anhydrous vs standard propane issue?
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.ssS!

[shadetreemech]

My Westy came without the stock propane tank to power the stove. I've looked through this thread and considered a couple of options, then got a wild hair and did a search on the Intertron. This is what I came up with:

1) KIBOW Low Pressure Regulator w/ 2 ft Hose - Type 1 QCC1 (fits 20 lb can)
1) GASPRO 1 lb Propane Adapter

Ready-made, Plug-and-Play. Found on Amazon. Under $20.00 total.


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'84 GL 1.9
'01 Volvo V70 T5
'88 Westy - "MZDRTHY"

[danfromsyr]

just an FYI, you don't need the adapter if you change the end on the regulator to a 1/4 Male Pipe Thread x 1"-20 Female Throwaway Cylinder Thread Fitting

https://www.google.com/search?q=1/4+Male+Pipe+Thre...ad+Fitting

[vegpedlr]

I got wha I needed at Home Depot. Hooked it up, checked for leaks, works great. Haven’t blown anything up yet.
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1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[shadetreemech]

[danfromsyr]

well yer gunna want a longer hose than that one then.. well maybe not.. hven't tried stuffing a 20# into the sink galley cabinet.
or is your hose hook up on the outside? that'd take a little more work.
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[Abscate]

[The_Raven]

For those that might be interested, FlameKing produces a DOT legal refillable 15.4 oz propane bottle and has a kit to allow for refilling from a 20lb cylinder.
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1.7D/5-spd 2WD Doka - 'Heinz'.(Deceased)....Frankensteined out so that others could live.

[Sodo]

[monstersteve]

It puzzles me that a Westy owner who camps would want to ditch the tank the van came with in favor of fiddle-farting around using 1 lb canisters. Even if there isn't a hazard involved in the economy of refilling the canisters from a 5 gal. tank, why hassle with that? My own story with a 1 lb. can was a trip north on 101 to San Francisco. The cupboard where I keep my lantern and some canisters popped open on the highway and a canister or two rolled out. One apparently rolled up to the heater vent on the floor behind the two front seats. Just as I was entering SF I heard a loud "POP" and "HISssss" accompanied by the distinctive aroma of propane. That little side plug had failed when the canister got hot. No place to pull over, so I rolled the windows down quickly and dissipated the propane before anything ignited it. Pretty scary for a minute or so.

The tank on my '83 has performed well for years. Changed the regulator when it pooped out. Easy-peasy.

On my '81, the westy came with an icebox and no stove - no propane. I got a $100 fridge on Craig's list and it fit right in the hole. Figured out the wiring and plumbed it through the factory hole to where the propane tank mounts. Found a Westy tank on Samba for $60 (even had propane in it) and cleaned it up - wire wheeled the rust off and painted it all pretty. Not hard to install at all - basically bolted it on and plumbed it to the fridge, careful to insulate the line from rubbing on metal.

Way cheaper to fill that stock tank up than to buy multiple $6 1 lb canisters that only last a short while. The tank is sturdy and made out of thick metal. The fittings are available. This guy has some of the odder (NLA) stuff you can't get at Volks Cafe (now Rocky Mtn Westy) http://vanagonwestfaliaaccessories.com/ And if you run out in the middle of nowhere, you can use a 1 lb. canister to refill. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612317

[Californio]

It's easy to just bolt on another 3 gallon standard tank on the passenger side, all the bolt holes are there waiting for you.

I did this 10 years ago and just shift back and forth between the two, keeping one valve closed for use as a "spare."

I keep the Dometic on for months that way, use my Propex and stove as needed, never run out even after a few weeks off grid.

[shadetreemech]

When I bought my Westy the stock cylinder had been removed. Rather than bolt a $350 bomb into the crash zone on the Driver's side, I bought the components to adapt the stove to 1 lb. cylinders. I get 'em for $4.99 @ at my local Army Surplus store. Cylinders not in use are stored in my roof top box. The same cylinders fit in my Lil' Buddy heater.

Dan
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'84 GL 1.9
'01 Volvo V70 T5
'88 Westy - "MZDRTHY"

[wagohn]

Hello all,
Sorry if this is a repeat question, but I ONLY want to use the 1lb bottle for the stove - nothing else. Do I still need a regulator or just an adapter for the canister->stove connection? Anyone have Amazon links for what I need?
Thanks!

[Silverghost500]

Here's what I used to switch to the 1lb bottles on mine:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DTK8KLF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KYDJ694/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D6CL9YX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As for the original Westy exterior tank, I still cannot find a single shop that will pressure test mine after I replaced components on the tank. I want it pressure tested before putting propane in it, not find out there's an issue during fill-up!

Yes, I could buy a new replacement unit and replace my original tank, but I'm not shelling out that much money for something that's not going to get used often.
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1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic

Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA

[wagohn]

[jimf909]

[wagohn]

[Silverghost500]

It should. I've got mine under the sink.
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic

Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA