Propane System
Our propane system supplies power to our Dometic Cooktop as well as our Propex Heater. The entire system is located under our kitchen cabinet, with a sealed and vented locker to store the propane tank.
The Propane Locker
Through research, we learned that it is very important to have a sealed and vented propane locker. Propane is heavier than air, so you want a place for it to escape if you have any leaks. Our tank, solenoid valve, and regulator are all in the sealed locker. We have a 3/4 inch hole cut through the floor of the locker and van as an escape route for any leaked propane.
Supplies we used
We used flexible copper tubing along with flare and NPT fittings for the majority of our propane system.
Copper Tubing
3/8 Flexible copper tubing – used for Dometic Cooktop
1/4 Flexible copper tubing – used for Propex Heater
Extras
20lb propane tank – local hardware store
Hose connector – connects tank to solenoid
Solenoid valve – propane turns on and off
2 stage regulator – need 2 stage for the Propex
Propane hose – from regulator to bulkhead
Pressure gauge – to see if system is working properly
Propane alarm – saftey!!
Connections + Fittings
3/8 flare nut – for 3/8 pipe flare connections
1/4 flare nut – for 1/4 pipe flare connections
bulkhead – to connect through the propane locker
90-degree NPT – from hose to solenoid
90-degree NPT – regulator to propane hose
3/8 Flare to 1/4 MPT – from bulkhead to NPT tee, and NPT tee to flare tee
NPT tee – to connect pressure gage to system
Flare tee – to split copper tubing
Flare reducer – to connect 1/4 pipe to the flare tee
3/8 shutoff valve – to stop propane for Dometic
1/4 shutoff valve – to stop propane for Propex
Tools
Pipe Cutter
Flare Tool
Pipe Bender
Though it seems like you could bend most of the pipe by hand, it is good to use a tool for the 90 degree turns to avoid