Fitting into 2 stage controller

[Wayne O]

I bought a used 2012 Forest River DLX and it has a 2 stage controller for the 2 propane tanks. One of the pigtail lines developed a leak. I was going to try to find one locally so I disconnected the pigtail at the controller to bring home. I ended up just ordering it off Amazon. When I went to our hunting land on Sunday I went to install it. Well the end of the pigtail was too small for the fitting at the controller. The pigtail I took off has been either been misplaced or thrown away for me to take the fitting that goes between the pigtail and controller. From what I have researched, it looks like I need a 1/4" to 3/8" fitting that let me screw the pigtail into that will then fit into the controller.
I meant to grab the other pigtail but after hunting and getting my side by side stuck on 3 feet of water, my mind wasn't on that when I left out.

[Wayne O]

Here's where I'm talking about them coming together and what I think I need.

[A32Deuce]

Take both to a NAPA store and match what you need. I do it all the time.

[Wayne O]

I was trying to get the connector before heading back down this weekend as the propane went flow without both pigtails connected and therefore no heat from the furnace. Here is the pigtail that I bought.

[Wayne O]

Got my answer from someone at etrailers.com. it needs a 1/4" female to 1/4" male to make the connection.

[boondocking]

If the male fitting on the pigtail is 1/4 inch that the male end of the fitting from etrailer is also going to be too small.

Get a 3/8 male by 1/4 female fitting.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Wayne O

Here's where I'm talking about them coming together and what I think I need.

Wayne,

I cannot tell from the pictures, but I think I know what happened.

The outlet end of the pigtail is an "inverted flare" fitting with straight (not tapered) threads. You do not use Teflon tape or pipe dope on this fitting.

The inlet to the regulator is a tapered pipe thread, probably 1/4" IP. You do use yellow Teflon tape or Rector's No. 5 pipe dope on this fitting.

There's a brass fitting which adapts from one to the other. That fitting is probably on the end of the pigtail that you removed. Experienced folks use two wrenches to remove the pigtail: one to turn the pigtail and the other to hold the fitting in place on the regulator so it doesn't turn.

You should be able to find this fitting at eTrailer, Amazon, or maybe even Lowes or a place that services propane stuff.

Larry

[Bama Rambler]

As Larry said, what you need is a ¼" MNPT to ¼" inverted flare adapter. I just bought one on Amazon.

Inverted Flare to MNPT Adapter



On our unit one side had the inverted flare pigtail, and the other side had ¼" NPT fitting. I decided that I was going to get them to match each other so I ordered the adapter and two new pigtail hoses with inverted flare ends.

[hack522]

A local hardware store should carry those connectors. Same as what's used on a gas grill.

[onetonford]

On mine they are not a adapter but a small check valve with the inversed flare fitting on the one side that fits to the pigtale. The reason for it is so you can remove one tank while the other is in use. it is called a service check valve or SCV.

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by boondocking

If the male fitting on the pigtail is 1/4 inch that the male end of the fitting from etrailer is also going to be too small.

Get a 3/8 male by 1/4 female fitting.

My Bad
The image looked like it was an NPT thread not flared.

[Bama Rambler]

Originally Posted by onetonford

On mine they are not a adapter but a small check valve with the inversed flare fitting on the one side that fits to the pigtale. The reason for it is so you can remove one tank while the other is in use. it is called a service check valve or SCV.

Some units are designed that way. The pigtails I bought have the check valves in them so I didn't need one in the adapter. Amazon has both the check valve and non-check valve adapters on the same page.

[Wayne O]

Good info everyone. The new fitting should be here tomorrow and will get installed shortly as I'll be hunting Friday.

[Wayne O]

Well etrailer was correct in their info and the 1/4"x1/4" fitting was exactly what I needed. Issue fixed and furnace cranked right up to keep toasty. Which was good because coming back in from the evening hog hunt was a bit chilly.