Go back

How To Use LPG Hoses

Identification and correct us of cylinder regulators and hoses

This section is concerned with the identification and correct use of cylinder regulators and their hoses. Regulators are used to reduce the pressure of gas in the cylinder to a lower pressure that is more suitable for the appliance and to keep the pressure fixed (within limits) at that value. For other hose types, refer to Guidelines on using LPG hoses.

View Details

Pressure and Gas Type

The two LPGes, Butane and Propane, are very similar, and consequently many domestic appliances (e.g. most domestic cookers) are designed to run on either gas, but the standard supply pressure is somewhat different for each gas to accommodate the differences in the characteristics of the two gases. In the case of Butane, the standard supply pressure is 28 mbar (11" water gauge) and for Propane it is 37 mbar (14" water gauge) - regulators that supply either of these pressures are called "low pressure regulators". The appliance itself will have a badge on it identifying what gas and what pressure it is designed for. There are some appliances (not many) designed to work on considerably higher pressures and these use "high pressure regulators", and again these are clearly marked with what gas and what pressure they are designed for.

DO NOT USE HIGH PRESSURE REGULATORS ON LOW PRESSURE APPLIANCES: THIS CAN LEAD TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND YOU MAY DAMAGE THE APPLIANCE.

Cylinders and Hoses

Each regulator is designed to fit a specific type of cylinder valve and a regulator that fits one type of valve will not fit any of the others. The valve on Propane cylinders has a screw thread and only accommodates Propane regulators.

Butane is supplied by Flogas under two brands, Flogas and Ergas. The Flogas Butane cylinders are yellow and always use a "Jumbo" valve. There are two types of Ergas Butane cylinders: the orange ones have the same "Jumbo" valve as the Flogas cylinders, but the blue/green cylinders have a much narrower "Compact" valve.

High-pressure regulators have a much narrower nozzle than that fitted to low-pressure regulators and use a much narrower hose (see picture below).

DO NOT TRY TO FORCE A HIGH-PRESSURE HOSE ONTO A LOW-PRESSURE NOZZLE: YOU WILL SNAP THE BRAIDING INSIDE THE HOSE AND THE HOSE MAY SUBSEQUENTLY CRACK AND LEAK, RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. Always match the hose size to the nozzle size and only use hose designed for LPG and to the correct standard.

Regulators and Their Identification

Butane Jumbo Low Pressure Regulator

This is the standard regulator for Flogas Butane cylinders and Ergas Jumbo Butane cylinders (i.e. designed to fit Jumbo Butane valves), and regulates the pressure to the standard 28 mbar, which is the pressure required by most appliances designed to run on Butane.
Stock code 420

Butane Jumbo High Pressure Adjustable Regulator

This is a high-pressure adjustable regulator for use with certain appliances / equipment, such as hand torches, cow dehorning units, and some "crow bangers". The outlet pressure is adjustable, but it's minimum setting is still very high (e.g. 500 mbar).
Stock code

Recommended article:
Guide to Non Destructive Testing and the NDT Supply
What are the advantages of ultrasonic testing?
Unraveling the Optical Spectrum Analyzer Principle.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website ABYDA.

DO NOT USE ON LOW PRESSURE APPLIANCES.

Butane Compact Low Pressure Regulator

This is the standard regulator for Ergas Compact Butane cylinders (i.e. designed to fit Compact Butane valves), and regulates the pressure to the standard 28 mbar, which is the pressure required by most appliances designed to run on Butane.
Stock code 421

Propane Low Pressure Regulator

This is for use on propane cylinders, and regulates the pressure to the standard 37 mbar, which is the pressure required by most appliances designed to run on Propane.
Stock code

Propane High Pressure Adjustable Regulator

This is for use on Propane cylinders, for use with certain appliances / equipment, such as hand torches, cow dehorning units, and some "crow bangers". The outlet pressure is adjustable, but it's minimum setting is still very high (e.g. 500 mbar).
Stock code

DO NOT USE ON LOW PRESSURE APPLIANCES.

Hoses and Hose Clips

These are two types of cylinder regulator hose in use by Flogas: (a) the smaller-diameter high-pressure hose (on the left in the picture) is for use with high-pressure regulators, and (b) the larger diameter for low-pressure regulators. Always ensure the hose size is suitable for the nozzle you are using. Use a high-pressure hose with a high pressure regulator. Do not use a high-pressure hose with a low-pressure Propane regulator.
Stock codes: low pressure hose , low pressure hose clips , high pressure hose , high pressure hose clips .

NEVER USE A HIGH-PRESSURE HOSE WITH A LOW-PRESSURE REGULATOR OR VISA-VERSA, ALWAYS CHECK THE NOZZLE SIZE.

Just stumpled across this sight. Looks like alot of great information. I have a few questions I hope you can help me with.
I have a Onan 305 cck it is now a gas as fuel carberator. I would like to convert it to natural gas or lp. I have a lead on a lp carberator with both regulators and the hose to connect to the propane tank. The complete setup is Onan. The guy selling them is a delaer who has new old stock. He used to work alot on Onan generators for a utility company who used them on all there trucks. My question to you is this: Is the carerator and regulaors the same for natural gas? Or is there dedicated lp gas only units. From what Ive read so far the carberator is the same it just needs the fuel adjustment screw adjusted for natural gas. It is a Marvell Shebller carb the only connection I would need would be between the carb and regulator 3/8" hose if I was to use lp. If natural gas are the regulators the same. The last regulator has a spring loaded primer on it. Ive been talking with U.S. Carberetion about one of there units and I could use it as a tri fuel using the same carb with one of there units attached to the top. Im not sure which way to go.

Has anyone used one of the kits from U.S. Carburetion? They say there kit works well on the 305cck. They are very helpfull.

My goal is to get it working on either lp or naturall gas. Preferably natural gas. I have a 3/4" line within 4' of where the unit is installed. I know it uses alot of fuel. If that wont work I would run it off two gas grill bottles with a transfer regulator as one bottle emptys it transfers over to the other.

Sorry about the long post. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

For more information, please visit Lpg Gas Regulator Types.