Regulator Issues?

[AZ_T_T]

This weekend while dry camping one of my 2 propane bottles ran out of gas. When I opened the second bottle and turned the regulator to the other bottle we had no pressure in the system. The bottle was completely full. Thinking the regulator switch (which is an auto switch) was bad I changed the full bottle to to position of the empty bottle and still no pressure. I had a little 2 gallon propane tank to use with a weed torch so I hooked it up and also nothing.

Now I'm thinking it is vapor locked so I unhook both bottles and turn the stove on to clear the vapor lock. After that I hook up the large empty bottle and full bottle, still no pressure. Last resort I re-hookup small 2 gallon bottle and finally I have pressure. I switch to the large bottle still nothing, so I switch positions still nothing from large bottle.

Now I think I have a bad bottle so I hook it up to the weed torch and it's fine.

After all of this I ran the fridge on the small bottle. Went to install the large bottle to drive home (the little bottle would just flop around) all of a sudden it now will pressurize the system. Everything is normal.

Has anyone else ever experienced something like this? If so what was the culprit?

[GASMAN6674]

wilber1 wrote:

DmaxWW wrote:
I have found that both the tank and the hose have the excess flow valve and can cause the same thing. There was a group of hoses that had issues with the flow, don't remember how you can tell what these are but had to replace both of mine.

This is true. If you open the valve on a bottle with no hose attached, it will shut off.

This was mandated by CPSC in approx. 1999/2000. Before that you had restricted flow pol's (small pin hole in the end) or excess flow pol's with a ball check but nothing in the cylinder valves.
As stated above the QCC (quick closing coupling) has the excess flow and a thermal fuse built into it. But keep in mind excess flows will only function if you have a large enough or a complete hose failure. If you get a pinhole or a leak at a fitting they will not have enough flow to close. But of course they always close when you do not want them to 🙂

[wilber1]

DmaxWW wrote:
I have found that both the tank and the hose have the excess flow valve and can cause the same thing. There was a group of hoses that had issues with the flow, don't remember how you can tell what these are but had to replace both of mine.

This is true. If you open the valve on a bottle with no hose attached, it will shut off.

[Rvpapa]

TXiceman is technically correct. The excess flow preventer is not in the hose, it is part of the QCC Acme connector. Black is 100,000 BtuH Green is 250k and Red is 450k. Another fact is that they will allow a minimal flow when tripped. This will allow the pressures to equalize on both sides of the check and it will reset. This is provided that ALL downstream appliances are off.
Art.

[Fire5er]

Anyone know where to find a RV propane system schismatic that shows the valves and the regulators? I have also learned from this thread, and continue to learn from this and other RV forums. Thanks for posting and asking the questions...as they say, the only stupid question is the question not asked.

[TXiceman]

Allworth wrote:
I guess you also argue with Stop Signs!

Sort of uncalled for. I am just curious as to when this change came into being? I bought replacement bottle to regulator hoses about 2 years ago and this was not an issue then.

And no, I do not argue with stop signs or red lights.

Ken

[Imaroadrunnr]

I had a tank that I thought was empty until I pulled it out of the cabinet and felt how heavy it was. The propane man (2 of them) said each tank has some sort of valve and mine was stuck and no amount of dropping it would break it free. Both tanks were 13 years old so I ordered 2 New ones from Amazon and I'm basically happy except there's a Mobile Suite parked next to me that I'm lusting after:-)
Stan
Life is good here at Panguitch

[Allworth]

I guess you also argue with Stop Signs!

[TXiceman]

When did they mandate the useless hoses?

[GASMAN6674]

Blame the CPSC. After a bunch of grill fires it was mandated. There is also a thermal fuse in both the valve and pigtail. The only "open" pigtails are the copper units used on residential applications or units made in the field.

[TXiceman]

When did they start putting flow checks in the hose between the bottle and the regulator? I have replaced many of the hoses and never found them to be anything other than a hose.

Ken

[GASMAN6674]

jetcare wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
The excess flow valve is not in the hose. It is in the valve mounted on the tank. If you open the valve slowly, and you can hear and feel a click if it is flowing it a hose with no pressure. If it clicks, shut the valve and wait unit it clicks again. Now open the valve very slowly to keep it from clicking and seating the excess flow.

I would expect some one with the screen name of gasman would know how these excess flow valve work. Replacing the hose will not fix the excess flow valve.

Ken

Ken,

I think you need to review what you said. Gasman is 100% correct. The excess flow valve is in the hose. When you get some spare time not surfing these forums, take a old hose and cut it apart. You will be able to see the spring and check valve in the fitting where the green know connects to the bottle. I was always curious what the truth was so I did some investigating. The fill valve on the LP cylinder contains the Overfill Protection Device.

The OPD valve also has an excess flow. I didn't mention it because it very rarely an issue. The excess flow in the pigtail has a lower flow setting and will always close first by design. And yes 40 years in the LP gas business. But I bow to your wisdom.

[oh_boy]

I had the same issue. Replaced the regulator and still had the same problem. Only one side would work. Changed the bad hose for a new one and viola it all works now. I now have a spare regulator..Some propane is very oily.

[edatlanta]

I had to change my auto switchover regulator a few weeks back. It would flow from one side only. I switched the full tank to the other side and it would flow, but not from the "bad side". New regulator fixed the problem. And I changed pigtails from one side to the other also. It was definitely the regulator.

[Vette_Racer]

I have found that both the tank and the hose have the excess flow valve and can cause the same thing. There was a group of hoses that had issues with the flow, don't remember how you can tell what these are but had to replace both of mine.