Propane Tank Mod - Installation of GasStop Valves

[VBistro]

Having read endless discussions here about whether or not people travel with their fridges on propane, @MarkV and I decided to install GasStop Propane Shut-off Valves.  Most of the time, we travel with the fridge off, if the trip is short enough, or with dry ice if we have access to some for a longer trip.  On our Ollie, we opted for the Lithium Platinum Package, and based on preliminary results, feel relatively confident that we can occasionally travel with the fridge on DC, especially if the sun is shining and we aren’t in transit between two long-term boondocking sites.

That said, we took the “better safe than sorry” approach and installed the GasStops just in case we find ourselves in need of traveling with the propane on.  It gives us peace of mind.

The first thing we noticed when we took the tank covers off is that even on the stock install, the propane hoses between tank and regulator have a pretty severe S curve to them.  Noting that these curves aren’t great for hose longevity (another safety concern), we decided to install new street elbow fittings that essentially change the angle of entry of the hose into the regulator by 90degrees, and eliminating one of the bends in the S. We likely would have done this whether or not installing the Gas Stop valves.

The install of the street elbow fitting was pretty easy, once @John E Davies  cleared up some major confusion on my part. The confusion stemmed from the fact that the current fitting at the regulator has a plastic insert in it.  According to John, this is a one-way check valve that allows the automatic propane switchover system to work properly. This straight fitting with the check valve is put in-line with the new elbow fitting so you don’t lose its functionality.

Equipment needed:
1) 2 GasStop Propane Shut-off Valves
2) ¼” NPT BRASS Street Elbows  (double-check the size of your particular fitting)
3) Pipe Thread Sealant (specifically formulated for gasses)

Method
Detach propane hose from the ¼” straight NPT fitting at the regulator (A) 
Remove the straight ¼” fitting at the low pressure regulator (B)
Remove the ACME connection at the propane tank (C)
Clean as much old pipe thread sealant as you can from both the regulator side and the hose side, being careful not to let any shavings enter the regulator
Apply thread sealant to the male end of the new elbow fitting and install it at the low pressure regulator
Apply thread sealant to the old fitting’s male end and screw it onto the street elbow.
Re-attach Acme fitting to propane tank
Let sealant cure for 24 hours
Pressurize system and leak test!

 

I’m sure that if I missed a step or got anything wrong, John will chime in.  (Thanks, John!)

Photo courtesy of John Davies:

[VBistro]

Here's a photo of the finished project

 

 

[topgun2]

Note that if your original propane hoses are showing some age or if you would rather not deal with the elbows there are THESE HOSES available.  I installed the 12 inch hoses and they work well.

Bill

[Overland]

Looks nice, and a little extra safety is never a bad thing.

Not a huge deal, but something to keep in mind is that the 75k btu limit on the gas stop could be triggered if you’re using a portable firepit (60k btu) and the furnace (20k) at the same time.  Also I’m not certain of a generator’s consumption, but a number of people have modified theirs for LP so they’d probably want to check just to make sure they won’t trigger the valve.

[VBistro]

2 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Note that if your original propane hoses are showing some age or if you would rather not deal with the elbows there are THESE HOSES available.  I installed the 12 inch hoses and they work well.

Bill

I bought these 12" hoses to use when I installed the new valves, but they were much too long, and I would have had to install the street elbow to use them anyway.  

[VBistro]

1 hour ago, Overland said:

Looks nice, and a little extra safety is never a bad thing.

Not a huge deal, but something to keep in mind is that the 75k btu limit on the gas stop could be triggered if you’re using a portable firepit (60k btu) and the furnace (20k) at the same time.  Also I’m not certain of a generator’s consumption, but a number of people have modified theirs for LP so they’d probably want to check just to make sure they won’t trigger the valve.

I had read that before...thanks for the reminder and I will keep that in mind -- if we're outside with the fire pit, we'll be sure to turn the furnace off!  

[Overland]

Oh, water heater, too - I just looked up the Truma and it can pull as much as 60k btu.  No idea about the standard tank, though I assume it’s a good bit less. 
 

 

[Rivernerd]

2 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Note that if your original propane hoses are showing some age or if you would rather not deal with the elbows there are THESE HOSES available.  I installed the 12 inch hoses and they work well.

 

Given the necessary 90-degree relationship between the two tank valve outlets and the two regulator inlets, I wonder why Oliver doesn't use 90-degree hoses for factory installations, instead of installing straight hoses with a severe S-bend?  The cost differential can't be more than a few $$ per hose, and installation should be easier, saving some labor time.  Has anyone suggested this to Oliver?

[John E Davies]

1 hour ago, VBistro said:

I had read that before...thanks for the reminder and I will keep that in mind -- if we're outside with the fire pit, we'll be sure to turn the furnace off!  

Well, IMHO I wouldn't do that routinely, rather be aware that if your pit ever extinguishes itself with a "POP", you should realize that the gas valve was triggered, and from that point you should shut down the furnace when cooking outside. But in reality it may never happen at all. Cross that bridge when you come to it....

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Overland]

I’d experiment and see how high you can turn up the firepit with the furnace going before it gets shut down. Or really live on the edge and see if you can shower before the furnace cycles on. 

[VBistro]

2 hours ago, Overland said:

Oh, water heater, too - I just looked up the Truma and it can pull as much as 60k btu.  No idea about the standard tank, though I assume it’s a good bit less. 
 

 

I checked.  I think the Suburban is just around 12k.  Phew!  🙂

 

[DunnYet]

Does anyone know where to get a replacement for that Check Valve fitting? I can’t get that separated from the hose to save my life! Trying to adapt these instructions to the tighter confines of the LE I nose and need to put in the 90 degree hoses to make the Gas Stops fit inside the box.

 

Edit - Here is the part I found on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Camco 59954 1/4" Male NPT x 1/4" Female Propane Fitting Inverted Flare with Check Valve : Automotive

Edited January 29, 2023 by DunnYet
Found the part

[johnwen]

On 12/14/2021 at 9:36 PM, VBistro said:

Detach propane hose from the ¼” straight NPT fitting at the regulator (A) 
Remove the straight ¼” fitting at the low pressure regulator (B)

Thanks, V Bistro!  I thought I was sent the wrong size hoses.  However after replacing the first hose , it leaked around the hose by the Acme connector.  I replaced with the other hose I had been sent (package of 2) and the second hose leaked from the same area.  Will be sending back to amazon.  Be sure to leak check after replacing.  My original hose are back on and leak free.  Moral for me...don't fix if it ain't broke!

John