The Marshall Brass Extend A Tee basically comes in two varieties. The
basic tee fits between the tank and regulator and is designed so portable
appliances can be connected to the on board tank. The deluxe version also
has a high pressure fitting and hose with disconnect that allows an extra
tank to be connected to "extend" your stay should the on board tank go
empty. Not that this connection is on the tank pressure side. There are
various kits that come with different types of hoses for various tasks.

Now, when you open the package, you will see the "part" basically consists
of a center brass manifold with fittings attached. The inlet is the
standard male POL that also includes an "excess" flow restrictor. This
causes the gas supply to shut off if something breaks. Pressure needs to
maintained within a certain range for gas to flow. The other side is the
female POL that your existing regulator can attach to.

Guess what? The fittings into the manifold are the 1/4"NPT as the
regulator. Remove the female POL from the fitting and the male POL from
the regulator and use a short brass nipple to connect the two. Now the new
assembly will only be ~1.5" longer than before and with a little care you
can re-bend the copper tubes to fit. At worst, get a tube cutter and
flaring tube and shorten the tubes.

If you tee after the regulator with another regulated supply, you need
check valves to prevent one regulator over pressurizing the other and
causing it to vent. These valves must be designed and UL listed for
propane use. For any other rework do not use compression fittings and if a
hose is used for connecting an appliance inside, it must also be listed
for the purpose.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Troy
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 5:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Extend a stay

I like your idea, and happen to have just purchased an 11WC regulator I
could use on a spare 5 gallon tank I have. The question comes in to the
proper fittings to use. Ideally you would want something that just has a
rubber seal like a standard regulator does where it threads into the
propane tank, so that it's quick and easy to disconnect and reconnect. The
one side of the regulator I believe is just 3/8" NPT. I have a four-way
tee I installed the on the van and it has the same female NPT threads.
Unfortunately, my knowledge of propane fittings is not great. Any idea of
the type of fittings that would be required to use an external hose, and
where to get them? I'm just wondering after purchasing the fittings and
hose, if you wouldn't be close to the price of an extend a stay kit.
Piping in the tee that comes with the extend a stay seems to be a lot of
work as new copper lines would have to be fashioned to the refrigerator
and stove, and in my case to an Atwood furnace. I like your idea a whole
lot better if the parts required to to the job aren't too expensive and
readily available.

Troy