Hey Propane Gas Experts (Wolfie!!!!!!!!! !!)

“I have a Rinnai Tropic Space Heater (propane) coming in a couple of days.

I have the Gas lines run, but not completely installed yet. I still need to add pipe straps to hold the last bit up.



The tech info for the heater gas input (online) says "Gas Connection Pipe size 3/8" N.P.T. All models".

What type of connector do I need for the connection from the cutoff valve to the heater?”

“The fitting you are showing is a flared tube fitting. So you need to get some 3/8" soft copper tubing and also a 3/8" Backing Nut and sleeve. You will also need to use a flaring tool, to make the flare. Before you make the flare you will need to slide the nut on first then slide the sleeve on inside the nut, then put the tool on the tubing and tighten the tool to the tubing and then make the flare, remove the tool and install the tubing to this valve you are showing. On the other end you will need to install a 3/8" flared male to 3/8" pipe fitting to the heater???. Unless you are using a different size tube than you are using pipe, in this case just get the tube size to 3/8" male pipe fitting that you need. The N.T.P. stands for Nonmial Thread Pipe. But you can just buy a flex hose already made up if you like. After you make your joints up don't forget to leak check, use a mix of dish soap and water.
last edited: 12/10/06 7:26:56 PM”

“Wolfeyes isn't a propane gas expert, she's a natural gas expert. Trust me, I've smelled them.”

“

"Yes?"”

“I know Wolfie does NG. I figure she would know the answer even if it's propane.

Thanks rewright!”

“I just knew Hank Hill would show up here.”

“Yep, I'm looking for propane accessories.”

“Hey Stovie! Fuel line is fuel line...propane or natural gas. In this instance, I would change out that lever handle valve so that on the open end, you could install a flex connector from there to the stove. I say this only because I do not like copper. They make all sorts of different sized flex connectors, and you alleviate the problem of "kinking" when you use a flex. Most flex connectors come with the fittings to install on both the lever handle valve and the appliance. You can get a 3/8" flex. Check them out before you go through the pain of copper.

In my job, most cities now require replacement of copper. If a customer wants a new dryer installed, all copper must be replaced with hard pipe and a 6' flex with an addtional lever handle valve at the appliance.

Also, we are advised not to dope up the ends that the flex connector will connect. Reason being that the pipe dope can cause a pluggage in the orifice in the appliance. Flex connectors fit somewhat like copper fittings...they are flared, kinda, so that once you tighten them down, they make their own seal with each other. Am I making any sense? You will see what I am talking about if you get one. Ah hell...I will just fly down there and do it for you. What time does Home Depot open? And where the hell do you live now?”

“

This was the astonishing scene after a faulty gas cooker exploded in a timber-framed shack - and devastated a tiny Caribbean island.

The blast caused an inferno that leapt from hut to hut, taking less than ten minutes to sweep across half the shanty town-style community.

As gas cylinders in more wooden homes exploded, many of Soledad Miria's 1,014 inhabitants dived into the sea or took to fishing boats to escape.

More than a third - 348 - were injured but, amazingly, no one died.

By the time firefighting helicopters had put out the blaze on the 800-yard-wide island off Panama's northern coast, around 50 huts, a school and a community centre had been flattened.

Officials said a faulty connection between the cooker and a gas canister led to a build-up of fumes which exploded when a resident switched the appliance on to cook a meal.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=425257&in_page_id=1770”

“Anybody hear anymore from that guy who wanted to refill disposable canisters????”

“LMAO @ XL”

“I think I heard a Boom coming from across the ocean.”

“LOL...why do I have the mental picture of this guy with the black all over him with his hand outstretched like he is holding two cansiters together?”

“Another example of the need for alternative sources of energy.

Thanks, Vi.”

“The little island in the lower right is where the fire chief lives. Oh, it's not a wooden bridge.”