Propane regulator question
My 5th wheel has two propane tanks, one on each side. The tank on the passenger side (curb side?)is where the auto change-over regulator is. It is the type that has the little glass gage on top that...
Forum Discussion
You might also try replacing the pigtail hose from the tank to the regulator. Those hoses have a ball valve in them to control the tank output and pressure when the valve is first opened. The ball is supposed to restrict flow until the pressure balances in the line. And those hoses are known to also fail. And they are not expensive to replace.
From this propane info site.
Let’s talk about a couple of the features on these new pigtails. Both features are parts of the big green nut.
The first is a black thermal-sensitive bushing found just behind the green nut. If this bushing is ever in a fire with temperatures between 240°F and 300°F, it melts and allows the brass nipple inside the nut to move back about ¼ inch, which closes a small piston inside the cylinder valve totally shutting off the flow of propane. This innovative feature will help mitigate fires or explosions.
The second new safety feature is called a “flow-limiting-device.” Its purpose is to restrict the flow of escaping gas if there is an excessive leak in the RV’s gas system. It’s this second “flow-limiting-device” feature and how it works, that forms the core of the secret! Almost every time the cylinder valve is opened, a small ball in the center of the brass nipple (inside the green nut) is pushed forward into a brass seat. This seat doesn’t totally shut off the gas. By design, it allows a small amount of gas (by-pass flow) to go into the RV’s gas system. If everything in the gas system is closed and in the off position and if there are no leaks, the by-pass flow builds up a back pressure that equalizes the pressure in the ball back of the seat and allows unrestricted flow through the system. All this happens in about five seconds and the owner doesn’t even know it’s happening, appliances light, furnaces and water heaters run and everything is normal.
From this propane info site.
Let’s talk about a couple of the features on these new pigtails. Both features are parts of the big green nut.
The first is a black thermal-sensitive bushing found just behind the green nut. If this bushing is ever in a fire with temperatures between 240°F and 300°F, it melts and allows the brass nipple inside the nut to move back about ¼ inch, which closes a small piston inside the cylinder valve totally shutting off the flow of propane. This innovative feature will help mitigate fires or explosions.
The second new safety feature is called a “flow-limiting-device.” Its purpose is to restrict the flow of escaping gas if there is an excessive leak in the RV’s gas system. It’s this second “flow-limiting-device” feature and how it works, that forms the core of the secret! Almost every time the cylinder valve is opened, a small ball in the center of the brass nipple (inside the green nut) is pushed forward into a brass seat. This seat doesn’t totally shut off the gas. By design, it allows a small amount of gas (by-pass flow) to go into the RV’s gas system. If everything in the gas system is closed and in the off position and if there are no leaks, the by-pass flow builds up a back pressure that equalizes the pressure in the ball back of the seat and allows unrestricted flow through the system. All this happens in about five seconds and the owner doesn’t even know it’s happening, appliances light, furnaces and water heaters run and everything is normal.
