LCC27 Gas Bottle & POL Gas Fitting – POL vs LCC27
The LCC27 gas bottle is replacing the older gas bottles with a POL gas fitting. The LCC27 gas bottle has new safety features. The LCC27 gas bottle is also backwards compatible and accepts both the LCC27 and POL gas fitting regulators.
This change affects BBQ gas bottle sizes in Australia only. It does not affect 45kg gas bottle and other home and commercial gas bottle sizes.
The older POL gas fitting (POL fitting) is found on a POL gas cylinder, POL valves, POL gas regulators and various POL connection fittings including hoses and adaptors.
The POL gas fitting is found on gas bottles ranging from small BBQ bottles to large commercial gas bottles.
Newer LCC27 gas bottle fittings are the safer replacement for POL fittings.
What is the difference between a POL gas fitting and an LCC27 gas bottle fitting?
In summary:
- A POL gas fitting (POL fitting) is the most common type of valve & gas bottle fitting, in Australia, for most LPG gas cylinders from 4kg to 210kg gas bottles, including 45kg LPG gas bottles.
- The POL gas fitting on BBQ size gas bottles (9kg gas bottle & 4kg gas bottle) is being replaced by the newer LCC27 gas bottle fittings.
- POL refers to a type of gas valve and to gas bottle fittings that have a POL gas fitting (POL fitting).
- “POL” is an acronym for the company that first made the valves — Prest-O-Lite.
- A POL gas fitting on propane tank refers to the main valve and is the same as a POL fitting on LPG gas cylinders.
- The POL gas fitting connection is notable for its reverse — left-handed — thread.
- LCC27 gas bottle fittings have a normal right-handed thread and the gas bottles are backwards compatible with POL regulators.
- A pressure relief valve is incorporated within both the POL and LCC27 valves, for safety.
There are a few more features of the POL and LCC27 valve fittings of which you should be aware…
LCC27 Adaptor Use: Just Don’t
Don’t use an LCC27 adaptor to connect a gas bottle with a POL gas fitting to an LPG gas appliances with an LCC27 gas fitting.
If you have been using an LCC27 adaptor, remove it and discard it. Swap your POL gas bottle for an LCC27 gas bottle, at no extra charge.
It can be dangerous to use an LCC27 adaptor because the two connections have different thread directions, so as you tighten one connection you can actually loosen the other connection, potentially leading to a gas leak and the risk of fire or injury.
In addition, LCC27 adaptors are banned in WA whilst the QLD, VIC, TAS, NT and SA state governments have posted warnings against LCC27 adaptor use. This follows a homeowner receiving severe burns resulting from a gas cylinder fire in Western Australia whilst using an LCC27 adaptor. The injured person was hospitalised for further treatment.
Swapping a POL Gas Bottle for an LCC27 Gas Bottle
At SWAP’n’GO®, you can swap an older POL gas bottle for a newer LCC27 gas bottle at no extra charge.
So, if you purchase a new BBQ with an LCC27 gas bottle connector but have an old POL gas bottle, you just need to swap.
You will find both kinds of gas bottles in the SWAP’n’GO cages during the transition period, which will stretch over a number of years.
Remember, LCC27 gas bottle connectors are backwards compatible with POL regulators.
POL Gas Fitting – POL Fitting
A POL gas fitting (POL fitting) is an LPG gas connection fitting typically used on LPG (propane) gas cylinders.
POL fittings can be found on larger size home gas bottles, as well as on BBQ gas bottles.
The female POL gas bottle fitting (POL fitting) is incorporated into a POL valve fitting on the LPG-propane cylinder, utilising a left-handed or reverse thread.
The male POL gas fitting is used on pigtail connectors, BBQ gas regulators and other hose style connectors.
At one time POL gas bottle fittings were used in many countries, including the USA, but have faded in popularity.
Currently, Australia is the most notable POL gas fitting user.
LCC27 Gas Bottle Fitting
LCC27 gas bottle fittings are replacing POL fittings on BBQs (BBQ gas regulators) and BBQ gas bottles.
LCC27 gas bottle fittings are a safety improvement over the older POL fittings.
No gas will come out of an LCC27 gas bottle unless a regulator is properly screwed in.
With older POL fittings, gas will come out of the gas bottle even if nothing is screwed in.
LCC27 gas bottle fittings are reverse compatible with POL regulator fittings, as shown in the image above.
In other words, an LCC27 and a POL regulator will both screw onto an LCC27 gas bottle.
OPD Valves for Propane Tanks – Propane Tank Overfill Valve
An OPD propane tank has an OPD cylinder valve. OPD is the acronym for “Overfill Protection Device” or “Overfilling Prevention Device”.
An OPD valve is best described as a propane tank overfill valve.
As the name suggests, an OPD valve has a protective mechanism, that prevents propane tank overfill, built into the valve.
OPD valves are used in the USA, instead of POL valves.
Gas Regulator Gas Pressure
A gas regulator controls the regulator gas pressure at which the LPG is delivered from the gas bottle.
BBQ gas regulators typically come equipped with an attached gas hose.
The gas regulator screws directly into the gas bottle whilst the gas hose is attached to the BBQ.
The standard BBQ gas regulator type in Australia since 2022 is a gas regulator with an LCC27 gas bottle fitting.
The LCC27 regulator has a female LCC27 gas fitting (LCC27 fitting is right-handed thread) that fits a male fitting on the LCC27 gas bottle valve.
Older BBQs and BBQ gas bottles have a POL gas fitting.
POL Gas Fitting (POL fitting) – Gas Line Connection
On home gas bottles, like a 45kg gas bottle, the gas line pigtail has a POL gas fitting that screws into the large female threaded opening on the side of the valve.
Home gas bottles have NOT switched to LCC27 connectors.
A POL gas fitting is unique in that it has a left-handed or reverse thread. So, to tighten a POL gas fitting, you turn the connector anti-clockwise.
Tightening of a pigtail is done with a wrench.
You should always do a soapy water leak test after every POL fitting reconnection.
Gas Connection Seal – POL Gas Fitting (POL fitting)
The POL gas fitting (POL fitting) was originally designed as a metal-to-metal compression seal.
Pigtails still use metal-to metal-connections.
However, some BBQ POL fittings are now manufactured with rubber O-rings to further improve the seal.
The downside is that these can become damaged or deteriorate over time so they should be checked regularly.
Gas Valve Hand Wheel
Located on the top of the LCC27 & POL valves, the gas valve hand wheel controls the flow of gas, once the connection is secure.
Turning the hand wheel anti-clockwise starts the flow of gas but you should avoid turning it hard to the open stop.
Opening the valve 2 or 3 turns is all you need.
You shut the gas off by turning the hand wheel clockwise, tightening firmly by hand only.
CAUTION: Never open the valve when unattached
Bleed Screw
LCC27 gas bottle & POL gas fitting are both equipped with a bleed screw for decant filling, such as when having a BBQ bottle filled at a service station.
It is a small slotted screw on the side of the valve.
The filling technician opens the screw during filling to determine proper filling.
On the other hand, most large gas depots fill cylinders by weight, on digital scales, so the bleed screw is not used.
CAUTION: Never open the bleed screw on your gas valve
Dip Tube
The LCC27 gas bottle & POL valves have a tube that sticks down into the cylinder, called a ‘dip tube’.
It extends down to the bottom of the ullage area (see image).
This tube is connected to the bleed screw and let’s the filling technician know when the cylinder is filled up to the ullage zone.
Ullage is the 20% unfilled space at he top of the gas cylinder that allows for expansion of the gas.
Pressure Relief Valve
The pressure relief valve is the single most critical safety feature on an LPG cylinder.
It is incorporated within the LCC27 gas bottle & POL valves and appears as the protrusion opposite the main connection.
It usually incorporates some kind of plastic dust cover that should be left in place.
Pressure relief valves are designed to relieve excess pressure that might result from overfilling or exposure to excessive heat or fire.
The function of a pressure relief valve is to keep a cylinder from rupturing in the unlikely event of excessive pressure build-up.
The pressure relief valves are held in the closed position by the force of a powerful spring inside.
As long as the pressure is less than that of the spring, the valve will remain closed.
Venting
Having the pressure relief valve releasing gas is a rare event.
Most people will never experience venting.
If the pressure rises beyond the force of the spring, the valve will open to vent the excess pressure.
If this happens, you may hear a hissing sound and see cold gas vapour being released.
Once sufficient pressure is released, the valve closes.
If this ever happens, just stay clear of the area and let the gas dissipate.
You should also call your LPG supplier, from a safe location, and advise them that your gas cylinder is venting gas.
Do not use your mobile phone, any electrical devices or other ignition sources near a venting gas cylinder.
Newer BBQ Gas Bottle Fittings Incorporate LCC27 Gas Bottle Fittings
Newer LCC27 gas bottle valves incorporate LCC27 connectors and involve less components than home installations, with typical BBQ gas bottle fittings being a gas regulator with an LCC27 fitting and a hose.
Older BBQ gas bottles have POL gas fitting valves.
The gas regulator, with a LCC27 gas bottle fitting and hose usually come as an assembly but hoses are also sold separately.
Some outdoor appliances also require Piezo electric ignitors, various fitting adapters, natural gas conversion kits.
BBQ Gas Leak Test
It is important to regularly leak test your BBQ gas bottle, gas regulator and hose.
Leaks from these items are frequently the cause of BBQ gas fires.
How to Test
Put some soapy water in a spray bottle.
Turn on the gas bottle without turning on the BBQ.
Next, spray the entire valve, gas regulator and hose assembly with the soapy water.
Bubbles will form if there is a gas leak and you may also smell the gas.
When done, rinse with clean water to remove the soap solution.
For more details, please see: BBQ Gas Leak Test
Hot To Safely Attach or Change Your BBQ Gas Bottle
Connecting & Disconnecting Your Gas Regulator
The LLC27 regulator has a female fitting that screws onto the male LCC27 gas bottle fitting.
It has a normal right-handed thread.
The male connector of a gas regulator, with a POL gas fitting, has a reverse or left-handed thread.
So, to detach, you turn the POL fitting clockwise and then anti-clockwise to re-attach.
Full step-by-step instructions: