Propane Regulator Parts: Which is the right way

[travelingjw]

These parts came out of my propone hoses when I disconnected them. I am not sure which way to reinstall them.

My question is on which side of the spring does the ball bearing go?

[Marcm157]

I'm not sure if this helps but here is a cutaway picture of an LP Fitting...

[travelingjw]

Thank you, that is a great photo. My problem is that my issue is with the fitting that goes into the regulator. I don't want to make the assumption that the ball bearing goes on the opposite side. Don't like playing with propane .

[SmokerBill]

I don't understand how they came apart like that.

[GuanoJuano]

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

I don't understand how they came apart like that.

X2

[travelingjw]

They came apart when I unscrewed the hoses from the regulator. I am wondering if the pieces should have been held in by a spring clip. What is even more surprising is that when I call RV repair shops they claim they've never seen these parts in a regulator or hose.

[JFlightRisk]

Very strange indeed. I've replaced both original hoses with braid covered ones, and nothing came apart on any of them like that.

[travelingjw]

Update: After Marcm157 sent me the cut-a-way, I cut the propane end fitting off, and it is exactly the same as the photo. Then I assembled the parts in my drawing and they fit exactly into the regulator end of the hose (the 1/4" npt fitting. Yet, I can find no information in regard to this anywhere on the net. New hoses will arrive Saturday and then I will find out if they have the same set-up in them.

[edatlanta]

I wouldn't even think about reassembling them. A new hose would be for me. I don't mess with propane either.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

Update: After Marcm157 sent me the cut-a-way, I cut the propane end fitting off, and it is exactly the same as the photo. Then I assembled the parts in my drawing and they fit exactly into the regulator end of the hose (the 1/4" npt fitting. Yet, I can find no information in regard to this anywhere on the net. New hoses will arrive Saturday and then I will find out if they have the same set-up in them.

Sounds like a batch of defective hoses to start with.

[ALJO]

If you don't have the proper assembly diagram - REPLACE!

[travelingjw]

Thanks to all of you who replied. Let me be clear, I am waiting for the new hoses I purchased. But, I am curious to see if they include these parts. . I am still concerned that even though they came out of the hose, they could have been part of an OEM hose/regulator design. If the hoses don't come with these parts, I will purchase a new regulator under the belief that they had a function that was connected to my propane tank/regulator design.

[JFlightRisk]

That's probably a wise decision. We (along with other members here) carry a spare regulator. Sometimes they last forever, sometimes not.

[travelingjw]

Finally found out what the parts are above. They operate like a pressure valve. As long as there is ample pressure coming from the "other" tank through the valve, it forces the ball into the socket and stops propane from flowing. When the tank on one side lowers to a set pressure, it allows the "spring" on the other side to open and propane will then flow through that hose.

[madmaxmutt]

Yes, this is exactly like my regulator. I had never seen anything like it before. I took one side off to replace the hose, and parts fell out. I took the other side off more carefully, and reassembled both like the second one.

[PtOrchardKev]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

Finally found out what the parts are above. They operate like a pressure valve. As long as there is ample pressure coming from the "other" tank through the valve, it forces the ball into the socket and stops propane from flowing. When the tank on one side lowers to a set pressure, it allows the "spring" on the other side to open and propane will then flow through that hose.

I had the same exact problem when I took my hoses off of my regulator yesterday to change to new hoses with gauges.
My problem was compounded with the fact that I took him apart over the top of my crushed Rock driveway, which made finding the parts a bit troublesome! LOL.
I managed to collect a ball bearing and spring at the local hardware store and I'm now ready to put it back together. I'm glad that you figured out what they are for, I had been googling everything I can think of to figure it out also and came up with the same answer, but I still have no idea which order the parts go in. I have a sleeve, spring, ball bearing, o-ring. I did not see you ever get a reply to what order those go in when reassembling. Have you figured that part of it out?
Thanks for the very timely help everybody!

[skids]

I think that all of the gizmos at the hose connections to the regulator is for automatic tank changeover. If you want to run the propane tanks, you can do it one at a time by manually operating the valves on the tanks. I would only turn on one tank at a time and turn off both tanks if you intend on disconnecting a tank for refill. If you cant remember this stuff, at least don't smoke a cigarette when dealing with it. At least that should get you by until you get another regulator.

[TaftCoach]

What Skids just said. I was watching a YouTube video and they discussed the two types of regulators. I've always just turned on one tank at a time.