How we converted our Vanagon Westfalia propane system to 1lb refillable tanks
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 พ.ค. 2022
- In this video we do a walk through of our propane system on our Vanagon and show you how we converted from the stock Westy propane tank to a system that allows us to use the 1lb propane tanks.
We go through how we refill the tanks so we have zero waste in our system.
Parts we used:
Flame King Refillable System:
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Extra Tank:
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Regulator:
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Adapter for 1lb tanks:
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Bracket:
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#t3 #vanagon #propane
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Well done again guys.
I just love following what you guys do, & such a cool idea 💡
Thanks Stephen! Appreciate you following along
nate
Thank you Nate! I love that you explain in easy to understand language & walk us through the steps. Have a great weekend - tell Nancy hey. And yes!, so much better than the disposables. 👍
Thanks Cheryl, I will let Nancy know!
nate
Always learning, thanks for sharing.
You bet!
nate
Thanks Nate! I was one of the ones that asked. Our factory propane system needs a refresh, decision time!
Hope it helps you figure out what to do!
Nate
Very nicely done, Nathan, and very much appreciated! I think I'm gonna replicate your recipe here, and probably the (your) fridge replacement, too!
That's why we make the videos, to share ideas and keep improving these old vans!
nate
Nicely done! Since you are snow camping a lot, having the ability to bring your canister inside is a bonus if you get into a deep freeze situation. Just one thought about figuring out your fuel quantity - you can get a small digital scale and weigh your canister full and empty to see where you are. I have a digital fishing type scale that will measure up to 50 pounds that does the job. Thanks again for the detailed report plus your “if I had to do it again” critique!
I usually know the tank is empty when the flame runs out! :) Thanks for watching Kevin
nate
Nice job,,Thanks, I'll be removing my rusted OEM tank, and going with the Flame King outfit.
We haven't regretted our change over yet. When on a longer trip, the 1lb can lasts about two weeks or more cooking 3 times per day.
nate
Professional asF
Thanks!
Nate
Thanks so much for posting. I have been researching replacing our propane tank. Would it work with the stove and fridge?
Yes it would but you would need to check to see how long you could run the fridge off of the 1lb tank. The stock Westy tank is 3 gallons and a 1lb tank is .236 gallons. I know know the fridge does not consume a lot but it does run much more frequent.
nate
brilliant! but - may I ask, how DO you heat your van when snow camping? looking to add a propane tank + propex to my non-camper Vanagon and exploring options. Thanks!
Hey Casey we have an Espar gasoline heater that pull gas from our fuel tank.
Thanks
Nate
Nate, did you consider re-routing the gas line so you could install the cylinder inside the Westy cabinetry?
No we didn’t want the propane inside the van in case there was a leak. Though I trust these refillables, I can’t say they are fail proof. Just seemed easier to keep it in the stock location
Nate
Thanks for the video! I am totally going to do this mod. Two questions: regarding the oem copper pipe - when bending, how did accomplish this without pinching? Second, do you have a link to the shutoff valve? I might have a few more questions one I get started on this project : )
I don't have any great tips besides go slow and don't force it more than it wants to go. I actually disconnected it from the stove but left it in place so I could manipulate it a bit easier. Then once I was close, I hooked it back up for the final bends. A tubing bender could help but you would need to take the pipe out most likely to put in the bender.
nate
Gotcha! The shutoff valve? Guessing you need one that will fit the regulator and stock copper pipe collar connection.
Yeah I just took the stuff with me to the hardware store and pieced it together there. I took the tapered part that fits in the flare on the tubing from the stock tank. Make sense?
@@ThatBaldwinLife yep!
Smart kid
Thanks :)
What model of Camp Chef (seen in other videos) do you use with your 5# tank?
It is a 15” diameter Camp Chef fire pit. Haven’t seen them for sale in a while though. BTU rating of 55K
Nate
You do a great job on all the mods and videos you do. Now for something completely different. Just arrived in Las Vegas on our way to southern Utah from Victoria. Having issues with starting. Definitely electrical. When it does turn over flashes right up. Intermittent hot and cold. Have power, battery okay and can hear fuel pump start. Starter replaced in southern WA, contacts and wires checked close to Sacramento. Still have issue. Today a different shop added wires and a relay to lower the volts needed for the starter to work. Now out about $1000 along the way. What are your thoughts? Thank you for the time you put in for all of us to see and learn.
Have you looked at the ignition switch? It still may give you power, fuel pump, etc but it you turn it to the crank position, it may not always send the 12v signal to the starter solenoid. If it doesn't start, turn the key to almost start, and jump the solenoid to the starter and see if it fires up. Sucks having problems on the road
nate
@@ThatBaldwinLife thanks
Have you had any problems with leaving the tank horizontal ?? or do you just put it on when needed?
No we haven't and we leave it like that all the time. It only comes off to refill it. I know it is not ideal but seems to work so far
nate
Thanks for avoiding the green canisters. I see so many people boasting that they refill them, which I don't believe is safe, not to mention being illegal. I have that same
Flame King and also bought an additional refillable canister, although I still have the stock Westy 3 gallon tank. I still have a few of the green canisters to burn through before using the refillables. Taking your 5# tank along is a great idea should your canisters need refilling-could you just hook up a hose from the 5# to your system? I've seen others who have converted to the throw-away canisters and wondered why, when the Flame King system is available.
Sometimes folks at propane refill stations don't know how to fill the stock tanks. I've been told to come back later when a certain person is working -huh? How inconvenient is that?? I think they just don't want to crouch down onto the ground. If they sell propane, all employees should be able to fill our stock tanks. Anyway, thanks for being green!! Enjoyed your video, as always.
Yeah we have been guilty of the disposables in the past but wised up years ago. This system is pretty robust and has been easy to work with so far. We have considered just making an adapter to allow us to run the larger propane tank directly to the van but I guess just haven't got around to it yet. Seems like I should!
nate
@@ThatBaldwinLife the loose 5# propane tank gives you the added advantage of using it elsewhere, like with a propane stove outside or a propane fire pit. I am always happy to see a place at some of our State Parks for recycling of the green canisters. At least our local transfer station takes them.
In detail walkthrough soon?
That is in detail as the propane system gets! Not much more to it. Or do you mean more detail on something else?
nate
@@ThatBaldwinLife Just a walkthrough of your van part 2 in details