LP System Questions
I’d noticed the fridge performance on LP had dropped off lately, so I started doing all the usual checks and maintenance. Cleaned the burner, LP orifice and flue, checked the flame and it looked ok, but I noted that I couldn’t “hear” the flame noise like I remembered. Normally if it’s quiet enough, I can hear the flame without even opening the lower access panel.
I decided to order a Digital Manometer to check the LP pressure. When it came in I tried to remove the test port plug from the fridge solenoid valve body and found that it was stuck permanently. I cranked on it as hard as I dared but it wouldn’t budge. I checked the price of a new valve to help me decide if I wanted to break it trying to get the plug out. $150 for a new one, so........ nope. That plug is staying there.
After looking around a while, I found another test port on the LP generator I could use. I just have to hold the Prime button down to get the LP to flow to the port location. After removing the plug, before I attached the manometer I pushed the Prime button on the generator just to make sure the LP would flow, and I heard a faint gurgling sound coming from the test port. I knew what that meant: there was most likely that black stinky liquid in the LP line low points impeding the flow of LP. I went ahead and checked the pressure with the fridge running in LP mode, and sure enough it was low. About 7.5”h2o
The first low point on my TC is at the bottom of the regulator. I removed the hose, and sure enough, a good amount came out. The regulator also showed signs of the liquid seeping out of its seams and weep holes. I cleaned the regulator up as best I could, but I was having trouble adjusting the pressure up to 11”h2o, so I’ve also ordered a new one. I got the pressure up there, but the adjuster is screwed all the way in. I can now hear the flame on the fridge again and it’s cooling better. :B
When the regulator is in it’s normal orientation, any liquid in the LP line should collect in the low point below the regulator and not get beyond it. Unfortunately, when you have to remove one of the cylinders for filling, you have to swing the regulator up out of the way to get it out, and that effectively turns it upside down.Then, any liquid in the low point can flow down the LP hose. The actual lowest low point of the LP system is directly below the LP compartment at the generators solenoid valve. I pulled that hose off and more black liquid came out. I had to remove the solenoid valve to clean all of it out.
So now my questions:
1- When I adjust the LP pressure, should I have any of the other LP appliances on besides the fridge? Should I have them all running?
2- The regulator on the camper now is a Marshall 250 auto-switch. I couldn’t find that exact regulator. Due to the limited amount of space available, the replacement regulator needs to be the same size physically, and it needs to mount the same way. I ordered a Marshall Excelsior MEGR-253H. Is there any reason this one won’t work?
:):)
I decided to order a Digital Manometer to check the LP pressure. When it came in I tried to remove the test port plug from the fridge solenoid valve body and found that it was stuck permanently. I cranked on it as hard as I dared but it wouldn’t budge. I checked the price of a new valve to help me decide if I wanted to break it trying to get the plug out. $150 for a new one, so........ nope. That plug is staying there.
After looking around a while, I found another test port on the LP generator I could use. I just have to hold the Prime button down to get the LP to flow to the port location. After removing the plug, before I attached the manometer I pushed the Prime button on the generator just to make sure the LP would flow, and I heard a faint gurgling sound coming from the test port. I knew what that meant: there was most likely that black stinky liquid in the LP line low points impeding the flow of LP. I went ahead and checked the pressure with the fridge running in LP mode, and sure enough it was low. About 7.5”h2o
The first low point on my TC is at the bottom of the regulator. I removed the hose, and sure enough, a good amount came out. The regulator also showed signs of the liquid seeping out of its seams and weep holes. I cleaned the regulator up as best I could, but I was having trouble adjusting the pressure up to 11”h2o, so I’ve also ordered a new one. I got the pressure up there, but the adjuster is screwed all the way in. I can now hear the flame on the fridge again and it’s cooling better. :B
When the regulator is in it’s normal orientation, any liquid in the LP line should collect in the low point below the regulator and not get beyond it. Unfortunately, when you have to remove one of the cylinders for filling, you have to swing the regulator up out of the way to get it out, and that effectively turns it upside down.Then, any liquid in the low point can flow down the LP hose. The actual lowest low point of the LP system is directly below the LP compartment at the generators solenoid valve. I pulled that hose off and more black liquid came out. I had to remove the solenoid valve to clean all of it out.
So now my questions:
1- When I adjust the LP pressure, should I have any of the other LP appliances on besides the fridge? Should I have them all running?
2- The regulator on the camper now is a Marshall 250 auto-switch. I couldn’t find that exact regulator. Due to the limited amount of space available, the replacement regulator needs to be the same size physically, and it needs to mount the same way. I ordered a Marshall Excelsior MEGR-253H. Is there any reason this one won’t work?
:):)
