Propane Tank hookup

[lenray]

My propane tank has a copper line running under grouond to my furnace. Where the copper line hooks to the regulator at the tank--it uses flare fittings.
QUESTION CAN I use a short flexible metal hose between the copper flared line and the regulator. Concerned that with frost the tank might raise and pull apart the copper line. I should have had some extra in the copper line, but that didn't happen.......

 

[Stephen Newell]

You will probably catch some flack about running copper for gas but I've seen it done many times.

As long as the flexible line is of sufficient size I don't see the harm in using that.

 

[Bob]

(quoted from post at 19:26:30 10/20/19) My propane tank has a copper line running under grouond to my furnace. Where the copper line hooks to the regulator at the tank--it uses flare fittings.
QUESTION CAN I use a short flexible metal hose between the copper flared line and the regulator. Concerned that with frost the tank might raise and pull apart the copper line. I should have had some extra in the copper line, but that didn't happen.......

Have you considered a length of CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing)?

Also, IMHO, you should "bond" across the flexible tubing with ground clamps and a copper ground wire.

 

[glennster]

i did not know copper line was a problem. both my grain dryers are fed underground by copper line.

 

[showcrop]

Copper is still the approved tubing. HOWEVER, it is supposed to be the new polycoated to protect the copper. I doubt that one of those flex tubes would pass underwriters specs. In other words if something goes wrong and your house burns down the insurance company may be off the hook. Why not just get a flare coupling and be safe?

 

[David G]

My propane is hooked up with plastic underground.

 

[cowdog]

I retired from the fuel and lp business last spring after 38 years. Copper is fine. Don't screw with it. If you do anything, replace ALL of it with the poly yellow pipe. It will last longer than nuclear waste. Have your lp supplier do the work. They do it every day .

 

[Steve@Advance]

But aren't you supposed to use a poly coated steel riser where it comes out of the ground?

That's what I've seen used around here, I assume to protect it from the lawn mower and grass fires.

 

[Steve@Advance]

Copper is OK for propane.

Not for natural gas though, something in NG causes green corrosion inside copper. Causes it to flake and over time leak.

 

[David G]

Yes, mine has that on both ends.

I think the H2S in NG is corrosive, should not be much, but can be a little.

 

[jeffcat]

You could put a loop in your copper line just the same as on an old truck or engines with lots of vibration.

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 20:38:53 10/20/19) You could put a loop in your copper line just the same as on an old truck or engines with lots of vibration.

Jeffcat, he told us that he doesn't have enough tubing for a loop.

 

[Butch(OH)]

My LP tanks and copper line was installed by the co-op a couple years ago so I assume it is up to code. At both ends they slipped a length of pex over it so it is protected coming out of the ground and goes within a few inches of the flare. To your question, at the tank end they came out of the ground at an angle and left a slight "S" in the line so it can give with the frost heave. At the house end its straight up out of the ground to the regulator. I am not a licenced gas plumber but the fellow who plumbed my appliances is and he used the yellow colored ready made metal lex hoses about 12" long at every appliance. Knowing how he works I would bet anything they meet code. If those sane hoses meet code outside at the tank is a question your gas supplier can answer.

 

[cowdog]

The copper pigtail that goes from tank to the regulator can be bought in longer lengths.. tThat will give you some slack for your line to the house

. Yes the poly pipe has a riser with a steel coax for the poly pipe where it comes above ground. If you ever choose to replace it.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 17:26:30 10/20/19) My propane tank has a copper line running under grouond to my furnace. Where the copper line hooks to the regulator at the tank--it uses flare fittings.
QUESTION CAN I use a short flexible metal hose between the copper flared line and the regulator. Concerned that with frost the tank might raise and pull apart the copper line. I should have had some extra in the copper line, but that didn't happen.......

Mine is set up the same way. I've been here for 20 years, and the tank has been there for probably 40 years. Never had a problem, and the ground DOES freeze here.

 

[Stephen Newell]

They also don't like copper because it's much easier to break the pipe causing a leak.

 

[Handsome Devil]

Not sure who "They" are? My original tank was replaced by me buying a used 500 gal tank so I didn't have to pay rent on my old smaller tank. The copper line was installed about 30 years ago or pretty close to that. So far so good. I do not go near my inlet into the regulator nor do I go anywhere near the copper line from the tank to the ground. And my copper line crosses my driveway. I hope the copper line outlives me. Will be angry if I lose a whole tank of gas to a leak. Last few years LP is cheaper than firewood but I still cringe when I fill my tank out of habit. Burn so much wood that I seldom use more than 100 gallons a winter. But LP is nice when your not home. Cheers, John.

 

[Texasmark1]

Ask your propane supplier. If it's illegal in their eyes, they won't fill your tank. BTDT