LP Regulator gone south?

by Tracker16 on 10/1/2010, 5:18 pm

I think my LP regulator went south on me.Got to the camp site and the fridge check light was on.Luckily we were parked in an electric site.Tried the stove...Nothing,Went out and the regulator was red not green.Just filled one tank so I know I have LP.Any suggestions on a regulator would be appreciated.Also,is there a manual switch over regulator?It doesn't really bother me if I have to switch it myself.

by Admin on 10/1/2010, 5:49 pm

Mines manual and not a problem. Should be able to get one at a Rv dealer or CWorld or even a gas company.

by GustheUsher on 10/2/2010, 2:27 am

You might have air in the line, have you tried purging the line to get propane through there. If you just filled up that means there will be a bit of air in the line that needs to be pushed through by the propane. First thing I do is light a barbeque lighter and hold it infront of the stove burner then I turn on one burner until I smell mercaptan(cabbage smell of propane) when the burner lights I know I have pushed all the air out. The fridge line is very close in mine so I usually have to hit the on/off 1-2 times to hear the burner light on my fridge this process also helps push air through the line.

by Richard Mondavi on 10/2/2010, 3:13 am

As GustheUsher posted, make sure you don't have air in the lines before you go replacing the regulator. There are times when the switchover to a new tank will have a pocket of air that has to be purged.
Having said that, my changeover regulator shot craps back in March when we were in Memphis, TN. It would only draw gas from the right side tank. We were on a month long trip and I didn't want to work off just one tank, so we had to have a Mobile RV repair service come out and replace it. BTW, I never use the automatic changeover feature, I always switch manually.

by Tracker16 on 10/2/2010, 12:16 pm

I tried using the lighter clicker thingie and got nothing.There was no pressure at all in the lines.I lit the lighter and held it to the burner,and the flame didn't flicker at all.There was no air or gas at all coming out.So that's why I think it might be the regulator,because nothing has changed from the last time I was out and it was working.Thanks for the info guys.

by Sean on 10/3/2010, 8:24 am

I am not trying to sound sillly, But the gas is on at the Bottle.
Things can some times be over looked.
Sean

by Tracker16 on 10/3/2010, 9:29 am

That sounds like something I would do Sean...But yeah,It was on.

by Sean on 10/3/2010, 9:35 am

I found this item on EBay 300468393284 which may or may not be useful.
Sean

by Tracker16 on 10/3/2010, 9:48 am

Sean wrote:I found this item on EBay 300468393284 which may or may not be useful.
Sean

a bunch Sean.

by GustheUsher on 10/3/2010, 12:18 pm

Hey Tracker, there is a reset sequence for resetting the regulator which has a safety device in it that locks itself out. If you have a fast flow of propane for what ever reason the regulator senses a flow too great and shuts itself down, this is used in the event of a ruptured line it reduces the flow. I found this out by shutting my bbq off at the bottle while the burner was lit. When I went to use my bbq again I turned on the tank and that rush of propane to fill the line locked my regulator up. I am sorry I can't remember what I was told to do but I thought my regulator packed it in only to find out it was me not shuting down properly...just food for thought it might be something simple.

by BobnPi on 10/4/2010, 1:13 pm

I am sorry I can't remember what I was told to do but I thought my regulator packed it in only to find out it was me not shuting down properly...just food for thought it might be something simple.

I had this happen with my propane burner for fish/turkey frying. I was told, and it worked, to turn the gas on VERY slowly. The sudden rush would lock up the regulator. Worked for me. Haven't had any problems in the Cat though.

by Tracker16 on 10/4/2010, 1:29 pm

Have the day off tomorrow,will give it a try and see what happens before I go to the store for another reg.
Thanks guys.

by Portagie1968 on 10/14/2010, 6:15 am

Tracker16 wrote:I think my LP regulator went south on me.Got to the camp site and the fridge check light was on.Luckily we were parked in an electric site.Tried the stove...Nothing,Went out and the regulator was red not green.Just filled one tank so I know I have LP.Any suggestions on a regulator would be appreciated.Also,is there a manual switch over regulator?It doesn't really bother me if I have to switch it myself.

Can I add another item to this problem. It appears by your post that you may have propane in only one tank. So is the regulator dial pointing the right way. If U only have one full tank or one tank turned on the regulator must be pointing to that tank for the dial to be green. If it is not you need to turn the dial on the regulator. Once you have it pointing toward the right tank the dial should turn green. Mine has a fitting after the regulator I can loosen it to see if I have propane coming thru the reg. If the tank is open and the dial does not turn green that could be the tank or hose. I would not say reg. If there is no propane present at the fitting I would say the reg is either locked up or toast.

by Tracker16 on 10/23/2010, 1:04 pm

Ok here's what I have...I replaced the high pressure reg.because I knew it was bad.I also replaced the two stage auto change over reg..The indicator turns green when I turn on the LP.But when I go inside and try to light the stove with the lighter It blows or hisses if you will for about 3 seconds,It's like letting pressure out of the lines and then nothing...And the indicator on the regulator turns red.Close the stove valve and in a few seconds (15to30) the reg.indicator turns green again.I can repeat this cycle over and over.I'll tell you fellas...I'm at a loss as to what's wrong.

by Portagie1968 on 10/23/2010, 1:15 pm

If you have 2 tanks try changing the regulator to the other tank. If that works you are either out of propane, bad hose, or a bad valve on the tank. That would be my guess.

by Tracker16 on 10/23/2010, 1:18 pm

I tried both sides and get the same thing on each.Also tried a 20# tank I just filled for the grill.

by desertcat on 10/24/2010, 2:58 pm

Tracker we where dry camping and had the same thing happen. So I when high tech. I tap it a little (small hammer ) & got lucky. Real lucky the last time my wife cook over a fire the frying pan went up too.

by Portagie1968 on 10/25/2010, 4:19 am

Very Interesting. I am stumped? The only thing I can think of now is the new change over valve is bad.

by ScottandGrace on 10/25/2010, 5:22 am

I found this one out the hard way. If you open the tank valves too quickly, there's some kind of valve that shuts down the flow for a period of time because it thinks you have a massive leak. In my case it's usually about 30 minutes. I've forgotten and done this several times after refilling the tanks. If I think about it, I turn on the vavles slowly to keep this from happening.

by Portagie1968 on 11/5/2010, 10:41 am

There is a float inside the tank. If that float valve is messed up in the tank there will be problems.

by Dennis on 11/13/2010, 12:42 pm

I had the same problem...and did everything that I could think of to fix as we were out camping. Thankfully the cold weather stayed away and we cooked outside with portable propane tank. When I got back told the dealer what was going on...changed the black gas lines...no luck. After a few trips I ended up changing everything including the red regulator on the left side as well as the switchover regulator. Not long after The dealer called me and told me that they received a notice that there were some faulty regulators that were installed. So if you haven't already... replace the small regulator on the far side tank ( in mine it bolts to the wall in the compartment). If still nothing...change out the switchover regulator (I replaced with automatic switchover cause it was covered, but I agree with manual switch). Hope this helps

by Tracker16 on 11/13/2010, 1:03 pm

I'm working backwards from you Dennis.I've replaced both regs. and it didn't help.I am going to replace the hose from the reg. to the piping that runs to the appliances.We'll see what happens.

Thanks for the info. Dennis.

Mel

by Mopar_Earl on 11/13/2010, 3:36 pm

Did you check for LP at the regulators? I believe the Acme pigtails for the bottles have a leak prevention valve in them that will stop the flow of gas. I'd loosen the LP lines at the regulators and check for gas. No gas than you may have a issue with the tank hose.

Earl

by Tracker16 on 11/14/2010, 10:40 am

Earl,Is it possible that both of those hoses could go out at once.I can't get lp from either side.

by Sean on 11/14/2010, 11:21 am

When checking the gas hoses to the regulator on my Cat I found out that there is a one way valve built into the hose, this I think is to stop both the bottles being used at the same time. And allowing you to change the gas bottles safely with out the escape of gas. the pipe also has to be connected to the bottle to allow the gas to flow from the bottle, a shut off valve is also in the bottle outlet. the valve on my hoses are located very near the screw fitting that attaches to the bottle. You could take the hose off the regulator and bottle and see if the valve is moving, try listening it can only be a ball bearing that is a sleeve that seals one end in a cone but the other end must have a lug or bar across the opening to stop it sealing so that it can deliver gas to the out let. Also you could remove the hoses and blow in to the ends and see if air comes out the other end, no air valve is stuck. I hope you find this help full
and it helps solve your problem
Sean

by Mopar_Earl on 11/15/2010, 7:29 am

Tracker16 wrote:Earl,Is it possible that both of those hoses could go out at once.I can't get lp from either side.

I guess they could but i think it would be very unlikely. I don't know enough about the pigtails or the OPD valve to say. I think there are no flow valves in the tank valve that won't let gas flow unless there is a hose connected. That could be bad or stuck but I doubt both tanks would have an issue at the same time. Has me stumped. I just don't know enough about the new systems once they went to the OPD valves and Acme pigtails.

Earl

by Mopar_Earl on 11/15/2010, 12:43 pm

I found the following info on LP systems. It may or may not help you but it is good info!

Please check the following link for info on LP pigtails, auto changeover regulators (operation and testing) and the 5th wheel system.

http://www.shleggitt.com/edlees/index.html

Earl

by Sean on 11/15/2010, 7:23 pm

You must have time on your hands Earl to find information like this, TOP MAN, I am going to save a copy for my Cat file.
Sean

by Tracker16 on 11/16/2010, 4:19 am

Thanks for the info. Earl.Like Sean said good man. worthy

by Mopar_Earl on 11/18/2010, 8:55 pm

Sean wrote:You must have time on your hands Earl to find information like this, TOP MAN, I am going to save a copy for my Cat file.
Sean

Tracker16 wrote:Thanks for the info. Earl.Like Sean said good man.

Only took a few minutes. I plugged in 5th wheel LP systems and it came up as the first couple hits. I know I learned a few things from it. Info like that should be in the unit's owners manual!!

Earl

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LP Regulator gone south?

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