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Gas & Water threads explained in plain English
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Article by Peter Smith, Caravans Plus

How to measure the gas/water fittings you need!

Gas fittings and hoses used in Australian Caravans and Motorhomes use a number of different threads. They may seem hard at first, but a short read will give you enough information to purchase the correct part.

The following information is educational and general in nature only. Licensed Gas Fitters are required to install gas fittings into RV's.

1) BSP (British Standard Pipe) threads (Gas and Water) are the most common and can be used for gas and water. The sizes are imperial.

To get a 100% seal with gas you normally use a yellow thread tape.

When used for water the most common one you will know around the home is on your garden tap. These are 3/4" BSP for most gardens.

The size quoted for threads is indicative of the internal bore size, not the dia. of the thread.

 

 

Click here to print a Thread Sight Guide to lay your thread on.
Click to display an actual size thread templete

Above: If you have an existing thread that looks like those above, you need to measure the outside of the male thread as shown.

9.5mm measured OD is Male BSP 1/8"
13mm  measured OD is Male BSP 1/4"
16mm  measured OD is Male BSP 3/8"
21mm  measured OD is Male BSP 1/2"
26mm  measured OD is Male BSP 3/4"
37mm  measured OD is Male BSP 1"

Above: If it is a female fitting, measure the inside to determine the actual name. Measured sizes are shown as approx. mm

8mm   measured ID is Female BSP 1/8"
11mm measured ID is Female BSP 1/4"
14mm measured ID is Female BSP 3/8"
17mm measured ID is Female BSP 1/2"
21mm measured ID is Female BSP 3/4"
31mm measured ID is Female BSP 1"

2) SAE 45 flare. The male fittings are easily identified by the 45 degree flare at the end. These screw into either a SAE nut on the end of a copper pipe or a gas hose.

When used with copper pipe, the pipe is flared to 45 degree. The nut will not fall off and the copper section creates the seal between the nut and SAE 45 flare brass fitting. No thread tape is required with these fittings.

 
The Outside Diameter of the thread can be measured to give you the correct name of the fitting.

11mm measured OD is Male SAE 1/4"
13mm measured OD is Male SAE 5/16"
16mm measured OD is Male SAE 3/8" 		Measure the ID to get the correct name of the nut. The nuts always swivel. They have an inverted flare inside.

10mm measured ID is Female SAE 1/4"
11mm measured ID is Female SAE 5/16"
14mm measured ID is Female SAE 3/8"

The nut shown is a 5/16" nut because it fits on a 5/16" pipe.

The recommended pipe dia. for a typical gas installation within a Caravan or Motorhome is 5/16" copper pipe.

If you have a gas BBQ, Gas stove, Gas HWS, Gas heater and large Gas fridge - you may need 3/8" pipe, but your gas fitter can determine this.

3) POL fittings. Used on larger gas cylinders these have a Left Hand thread. Many male fittings have a rubber o-ring and must not be over tightened.

4) Primus gas cylinder threads. One notable difference with this thread is that gas will only flow after fitting is fully inserted into cylinder.

5) 3/8 inch Left Hand gas cylinder threads. Often called Companion but used by other brands as well.

6) Bayonet fittings. Used for removable gas appliances. The female fitting is used to supply the gas and comes in one size only.

7) Inverted Flare 5/16. This definition is used within our website for matching of parts and may not be a standard.
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