If you have a flaring tool and know how to use it, you will be  
surprised how easy it is to get some flexible copper tubing and a  
cheap bender and make a new one.

Jim

On Jan 10, 2010, at 8:14 AM, Richard Duvernay <richard.duvernay@SBCGLOBAL.NET 
 > wrote:

> After removing the shield and the old regulator and installing the  
> new I first tried to connect back the original copper pipes with the  
> flared fitting on the ends.  It was nowhere close to a fit.   There  
> seemed to be no way to attach the copper pipes first, then the  
> regulator to the tank, so I was left with no choice but to  
> manipulate and/or cut the end of the pipe.  I don't know which I  
> tried first, but in the end botched it up and broke the pipes.  That  
> left me with the only option of splicing new pipe in.  I used a  
> flaring tool and flare fitting for the pipe ends going into the  
> regulator and compression fittings for an elbow and attaching again  
> to the original pipes a couple inches below where they come through  
> the floorboard.  See pic.   It sounds like I may have been misguided  
> at worst or at least under informed at several different hardware  
> stores (which doesn't surprise me).  If this is a big no-no, I  
> suppose my only other
> option would be to take out the cabinets and replace the pipes from  
> start to finish, which I thought about to make a cleaner fit.   I'm  
> getting less enamored with my fridge every camping trip (about ready  
> to convert it to storage) and I carry a cooler anyway so I really  
> don't need to run propane while rolling. Should I take this apart  
> and start over?  Thanks.  Rick D.
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/RDUVEYAlbum/RegulatorInstall#
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> To: Richard Duvernay <richard.duvernay@SBCGLOBAL.NET>; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 9:38:33 PM
> Subject: RE: Replacing Propane Regulator Advice?
>
> You didn’t say you used compression fittings on propane did you? Yes 
>  there
> are some special compression or push lock type fitting listed for this
> service but typical copper compression fittings are a no-no. The  
> original
> used flare for a reason.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On  
> Behalf Of
> Richard Duvernay
> Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 8:34 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Replacing Propane Regulator Advice?
>
> Madeline -
>
> I did this project last summer.  Since the replacement regulater is  
> longer
> than the original, it requires some modifications to the two supply  
> lines to
> the fridge and stove.  I knew that and was prepared.  I bought a pipe
> bender, flaring tool, some compression fittings and pipe at the local
> hardware store.  It's not easy.   I did not take the tank off.   
> Maybe that
> would have made it easier.  After messing up on numerous attempts  
> to  to get
> the correct length and correct angle of bend on both pipes, I gave up
> and went to Plan B and bought a couple of 90 degree compression  
> fittings to
> make right angles.  I finally got that to work after more trial and  
> error.
> Course....I got no skills.   Good luck !  Rick D.
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Madeline <mac10wv@YAHOO.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 12:30:18 PM
> Subject: Replacing Propane Regulator Advice?
>
> We have the new replacement regulator, now need to get to work and  
> install
> it.  Anyone have advice on the best way to do it?  Looks like we'll  
> have to
> remove the tank to do it?
> Madeline
> Milko III