Propane regulator pig tail hose

Eagle · 08-05-2016, 06:07 AM

Preparing to travel to Sturgis for the motorcycle rally, I pulled the cover on the propane tanks to check the amount in the tanks.

To my amazement, the pig tail hose to one of the tanks had 'blown off' the tank screw on connector! Of course, the tank was empty as the tank valve was open.

Seems the hose mfg failed to properly crimp the hose onto the connector.

So, $22 & change to fill the propane tank and ordered a new propane pig tail hose for $14 on the net w/delivery date day before departure....so all is good.

I considered securing the pig tail hose with a water hose screw clamp but opted to order a new pig tail hose w/tank connector attached.

I've never seen a pig tail hose separate from the tank connector before?

Michigantraveler · 08-05-2016, 07:06 AM

It seems like you would have smelled the leaking propane. Glad no one lit s match.

Eagle · 08-05-2016, 07:33 AM

The last time out with the camper, we used the propane stove and ran the refrig on propane with no problems. We always run the frig on propane when traveling to keep things cold en-route.

I 'think' when parked in the sun and some pretty hot days without turning the tank off may have contributed to excessive pressure ?? as believe that tank was full or nearly so as the 'switch over' on the regulator was for use on the other tank.

Just a guess....but glad my 'pre flight check' includes checking the propane tank levels.

Michigantraveler · 08-05-2016, 09:00 AM

Wow. We also use the propane for the fridge on the road. Paul turns the valves off though when we get home and park it. But the hot sun can have an effect on a lot of things. We were out in our boat on a sunny day and I put my iPhone into a large clear storage container with other things to keep it dry. When I took it out to take a phot it had a temperature warning and had shut down to cool.

runner421 · 08-05-2016, 08:48 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Haven't seen one of those fail either. Sounds like a good thing to check regularly. So many people travel with the propane on in order to run the refrigerator/freezer while towing. Though I've heard the recommendation is not to.

APD · 08-05-2016, 08:53 PM

You are most likely correct about the full tank sitting in the sunshine. The tank could have been a little over filled, the hose a little under crimped.

Glad you found it. Those pre-flight checks are worth the time spent.....

Michigantraveler · 08-06-2016, 07:28 AM

I think we will stop using the propane for the fridge while towing. Ours is a two-way Dometic and only runs on propane or shore power. Here is why we will stop doing it.
https://youtu.be/HJMTQWWoMSw

Michigantraveler · 08-06-2016, 07:29 AM

We won't do it anymore. Easy to put some ice packs in while traveling to keep things cold.

Eagle · 08-06-2016, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APD

You are most likely correct about the full tank sitting in the sunshine. The tank could have been a little over filled, the hose a little under crimped.

Glad you found it. Those pre-flight checks are worth the time spent.....

I do think had I closed the propane tanks once home and parked, all would have been fine but neglected to do so.

**LJAZ** · 08-06-2016, 09:39 AM

Eagle I doubt parking in the sun had anything to do with it. My trailer routinely sees temps well over 100 degrees and it's parked with the tanks facing west so the tanks are exposed to the brutal afternoon sun. I've never had an issue. My guess is you just had a faulty pigtail and it was going to fail at some point. Good you caught it.

**LJAZ** · 08-06-2016, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigantraveler

I think we will stop using the propane for the fridge while towing. Ours is a two-way Dometic and only runs on propane or shore power. Here is why we will stop doing it.
https://youtu.be/HJMTQWWoMSw

This debate has been going on probably since absorbtion fridges for trailers were invented. Do whatever is best for you, but I run my fridge on propane while driving.

runner421 · 08-06-2016, 10:01 AM

I run mine on propane while towing. Personal preference and understanding the risks. Not sure my fridge/freezer would only lose 4 degrees after 6 hours.

Eagle · 08-06-2016, 05:10 PM

On second thought, agree most likely the hose mfg failed to properly crimp the propane line onto the tank connector.

I too, will continue to travel with the frig running on propane. When at a campground w/electric power available, will use their electricity I've paid for.

Michigantraveler · 08-06-2016, 05:39 PM

The video made sense to us. No reason to take a chance is what we figure. Ice pack will keep it fine for our four hour trips. Besides we don't ever have anything frozen anyway. And things in the fridge can be left out for four hours with no danger anyway. Except salads with mayonnaise probably. Dual axels are nice in case of a blowout but why chance it? Saves propane too.

APD · 08-06-2016, 05:44 PM

Propane is temperature/pressure related. It actually makes a pretty good refrigerant albeit a highly dangerous one.
Gay-Lussac's Law: The Pressure Temperature Law. This law states that the pressure of a given amount of gas held at constant volume is directly proportional to the temperature.
LP will evaporate and expand as temp goes up and if there is insufficient room for expansion then (on legal tanks) the relief valve should open. 99.99% of the time there is plenty of room in LP tanks (if properly filled) for normal temperatures, even direct Georgia sunshine.
Since the relief didn't open on yours then I agree, it was all the bad crimp. If it had failed 15/20 ft upwind of the campfire.......

Eagle · 08-06-2016, 05:58 PM

Some 20+ years ago, I found a huge natural gas fired central air conditioner unit in a scrap pile. It was very big and very heavy. Only one I've ever seen....but using a 'burner' to create cold for A/C was neat to see.

APD · 08-06-2016, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle

Some 20+ years ago, I found a huge natural gas fired central air conditioner unit in a scrap pile. It was very big and very heavy. Only one I've ever seen....but using a 'burner' to create cold for A/C was neat to see.

Absorption AC system. Not very energy efficient....

OK for refrigerators....