Question about gas coupling/adapter

[tymonk]

Hi. A boat I bought this summer has the following threaded gas attachment in the gas locker. It's diameter measures about 16.5mm (it was difficult to get a perfect measurement due to the awkward angle). From the available standard fittings I thought this was closest to 5/8 inches, but it seems that's slightly too small. Does anybody know what adapter/coupling to get for this?

Many thanks.

 

[bristoljim]

Hi. A boat I bought this summer has the following threaded gas attachment in the gas locker. It's diameter measures about 16.5mm (it was difficult to get a perfect measurement due to the awkward angle). From the available standard fittings I thought this was closest to 5/8 inches, but it seems that's slightly too small. Does anybody know what adapter/coupling to get for this?

Many thanks.

View attachment 142934

Almost certain to be 3/8th BSP - will you be running copper pipe from it ?

Jim

 

[Boater Sam]

That looks like half a compression coupler. The nut for it could be many possible threads. Unlikely to be BSP.
If the other nut has a plain shoulder next to the flats, its metric I think. If there is no shoulder, just flats, its imperial.
Try Wade fittings, they are the most popular.

 

[jdc]

+1 that it's a compression fitting. That the nut has gone is a pita! I suggest that you check the OD of the pipe coming out the other end of this fitting (not necessarily easy to get at!) and buy a new Wade compression fitting of the same size. Then, if you're lucky, the nuts might match, but if not just replace the whole fitting.

Example fitting here, but not necessarily the size you require.

PS: Wade went bust last March, so best not delay buying stock.

 

[Daverw]

Measure the internal dimension and this should give the pipe size it’s for, looks like simple compression fitting with bevel for olive. could be metric or imperial, the sizes are based on pipe size not the thread size

 

[tymonk]

Thank you all for your responses. There is a thin copper pipe that comes out of the back of the coupling and goes to the galley and kill switch. I'll measure the OD of the pipe on the other end. I wanted to attach a 8mm hose connected to a regulator on this end. What else will I need to connect this to a hose? Thanks in advance.

 

[bristoljim]

Thank you all for your responses. There is a thin copper pipe that comes out of the back of the coupling and goes to the galley and kill switch. I'll measure the OD of the pipe on the other end. I wanted to attach a 8mm hose connected to a regulator on this end. What else will I need to connect this to a hose? Thanks in advance.

If you can establish that the male tread is 3/8th BSP RS item number 362-6936 will get you to 8mm / 5/16" hose.
Jim

 

[VicS]

Thank you all for your responses. There is a thin copper pipe that comes out of the back of the coupling and goes to the galley and kill switch. I'll measure the OD of the pipe on the other end. I wanted to attach a 8mm hose connected to a regulator on this end. What else will I need to connect this to a hose? Thanks in advance.

I have a hose tail on the end of the copper pipe


But it depends on exactly what is there and how/ if the pipe exit from the gas bottle locker is sealed to the side of the locker.

You may need to fit a short length of copper pipe, using an copper olive and a nut to fit the existing fitting, then then a hose tail as above.

If your regulator is bulkhead mounted you could use a copper pipe to connect it but presumably you need a hose to connect to a bottle mounted regulator ?

Are you sure the outlet from the regulator takes 8mm hose . 10mm ( 3/8" ) is the normal size for a low pressure connection

 

[VicS]

If you can establish that the male tread is 3/8th BSP RS item number 362-6936 will get you to 8mm / 5/16" hose.
Jim

That item is not designed to fit onto a compression fitting.
The hose tail should be a Fulham nozzle as illustrated in my post above for LP ( black) hose or a high pressure nozzle if high pressure (orange) hose is used

 

[tymonk]

I have a hose tail on the end of the copper pipe
View attachment 142981

But it depends on exactly what is there and how/ if the pipe exit from the gas bottle locker is sealed to the side of the locker.

You may need to fit a short length of copper pipe, using an copper olive and a nut to fit the existing fitting, then then a hose tail as above.

If your regulator is bulkhead mounted you could use a copper pipe to connect it but presumably you need a hose to connect to a bottle mounted regulator ?

Are you sure the outlet from the regulator takes 8mm hose . 10mm ( 3/8" ) is the normal size for a low pressure connection

Thanks for your response. Knowing very little about gas connections, when/why would a olive be needed? The regulator (found on the boat) is bottle mounted. It fits the largest CampingGaz bottles (which is also max size that fits in the lockers). It was a probate sale and towards the end the previous owner connected a big bottle (too big for the lockers) directly to the stove in the galley. The hoses that were previously used are also on board (I thought 8mm, but may well be 10mm). I thought I could simply connect a coupling to a hose, and attach that to a bottle mounted regulator.

 

[VicS]

Thanks for your response. Knowing very little about gas connections, when/why would a olive be needed? The regulator (found on the boat) is bottle mounted. It fits the largest CampingGaz bottles (which is also max size that fits in the lockers). It was a probate sale and towards the end the previous owner connected a big bottle (too big for the lockers) directly to the stove in the galley. The hoses that were previously used are also on board (I thought 8mm, but may well be 10mm). I thought I could simply connect a coupling to a hose, and attach that to a bottle mounted regulator.

I suggest you read Chapter 7 of the Boat Safety Scheme http://www.marinesurveys.net/BoatSafety/Guideline-chap7LPG.pdf
(Strictly applies, and is mandatory to comply, for inland waterways craft but is the best guide for sea going craft too )

Olives ( aka ferrules) are part of a compression fitting. They make the joint between the body of the fitting and the pipe. Copper olives are used for LPG although brass olives are often used for water
See Gas Compression Fitting
Note jointing compound, or tape, should not be used!

A bottle mounted Camping gas regulator will be fine but note it should be replaced when 10 years old ( hoses when 5 years old). I have a CG gas cylinder and a bottle mounted regulator.
I ought to suggest that you replace the regulator if over 10 years old with a Marine ( Annexe M ) regulator. Corrosion resistance and other features, such as over pressure relief valve and above diaphragm drain, compared with a regulator for caravans etc

You are right about the hose size. Of course its 8mm!


The highlighted statement makes me recommend that you get your gas installation completed professionally by a GAS SAFE registered gas fitter.

 

[tymonk]

Thanks again. My plan was to do it myself and learn, and then get it checked/signed off by a gas safe engineer. Will do some reading of the resources you have proposed.

 

[ean_p]

Why dont you just remove the compression coupling from the flanged bulkhead fitting and take it to your supplier / chandler and get a definitive on the thread / size. It will also allow you to change the compression fitting to anything that you may wish for (so long as it fits in the bulkhead fitting who's thread you can now identify) in order to connect to your regulator / bottle.

 

[tymonk]

Almost certain to be 3/8th BSP - will you be running copper pipe from it ?

Jim

It was indeed a LH 3/8 BSP. I found a compression coupler to hose tail (see this pic: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SUwAAOSwintXSHV~/s-l400.jpg) that seems to do he job well. Will check for leaks and maybe get checked by a GS engineer, and use appropriate regulator as recommended by @VicS. Would people generally rate gas leak detector fluid?

Thanks for all the help

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

It looks a bit corroded, would you be able to make a gas-tight fitting with that?

 

[PetiteFleur]

Slightly off topic - I bought a 'Marine' regulator about 4 yrs ago But it failed after 2 yrs so refitted the original calor regulator and it worked. I did buy another marine regulator but haven't fitted it yet...

 

[tymonk]

It looks a bit corroded, would you be able to make a gas-tight fitting with that?

I hope so, and hope gas leak fluid will be able to tell me.

Slightly off topic - I bought a 'Marine' regulator about 4 yrs ago But it failed after 2 yrs so refitted the original calor regulator and it worked. I did buy another marine regulator but haven't fitted it yet...

Thanks for the heads up. A very heavy duty non-Camping Gaz regulator came with the boat that I'll try.