This has been the most difficult part of the build. I am paranoid about gas, so I wanted to hire this out. I was watching a guy on youtube convert his bus for a while until he blew himself up. He has not been well enough to finish his project since then. After hitting a wall trying to find somebody to do gas on a bus conversion, I had no choice but to tackle the job myself. After all, the blog is called DIY Skoolie, so I might as well give it a shot. I took many precautions and tried to make as many sound decisions as possible. Looking back at the project, I feel confident that I did a good job and that it is safe to use the gas in my bus…but it was an ordeal to get there…
This is the look of utter frustration.I started backwards, from the Main heater, working back towards where my tank would be mounted. I tried to do as few junctions as possible, so that there were fewer chances of something going wrong. Wrestling with the copper gas tube was ridiculously difficult because I was trying not to damage it, while also trying to force it to go where I needed it to go, under the bus. This was also my first time using cutting and flaring tools for gas, so there was a learning curve to it.I hurt myself plenty.I was filthy by the end of it. I had to climb from inside to outside, on my back, in weird contorted positions, for hours.But eventually I got it where it needed to go. This is the line for the cooking stove.Stove in place. I had just enough tube to reach the input flare.No room for errors on this one.This is where the tank would go.I got the line all the way to the back, after snaking through the undercarriage of the bus every which-way. All of my T connections are outside of the living space. In here, I drilled a hole in the bottom so that any leaking would not accumulate propane. in the compartment.
After shopping around and waiting for a propane tank for several weeks, it was exciting to see it in place, and so satisfying to see it fit so perfectly.
I used a scrap piece of MDF as a template to mark where the holes were for mounting, then put it in the compartment to mark where I needed to drill.
I bought the biggest gauge carriage bolts I could find, with square ends that fit perfectly in the holes, and just long enough to penetrate the box without rubbing up against the frame of the bus. I used broken drum sticks to hold the bolts in place so I could push the tank into the holes without losing the bolts or needing to be able to fit my hand around the tank to position things.The back-side of the metal box showing where the carriage bolts come through the box.Each bolt got a washer, locking nut, and regular nut to hold it in place. Then I removed the drum sticks and some support shims that I put under the tank. Here it is, hovering in place.Before the gas gets turned on, safety first. I cut a recessed area for the propane/co alarm.It was $70ish online and is hard-wired to my batteries.Green light is good.Making the final connections from the tank to the gas line, including a special valve that allows me to tie an external propane tank to my system, in case I run out. This is what I will be using to test my system.After hooking up the tank, I went around and tested all of my connections with soapy water and leak detector. Here is a failed connection that I had to re-do.This is a Wave 3 heater that I installed in the bedroom/garage area. The tank is located directly below this location. Here I am testing the connection for leaks, using soapy water.Dang. Another very little one.Making the connection tighter.Flame On! All connections have been checked and the tubing is secured throughout the run of gas line. I don’t think I am going to explode.Glad to be done.
