Options for propane regulators

[wopachop]

I have the mixing valve that automatically switches over. Its leaking and also has a bad hose. Trailer is only 5 years old. My friends tell me the regulators are junk and fail often.

Is there a higher quality brand lots of people install?
Buy cheap and replace every couple years?

Was considering ditching the mixing valve all together. Does a regulator designed for propane BBQ work at the same pressure as an RV?

[RobWNY]

I don't want to hijack this thread but can someone tell me if the Cavagna brand regulator goes from Green to Red only when completely empty all at once or does it change slowly showing the propane level?

[time2roll]

That Marshall is what I had and disliked the whole time. Indicator would sort of creep up and was hard to tell if the cylinder was truly empty. Almost ran out a few times second guessing after pulling a cylinder and it was still 30%. The window became very fogged over time making the read even worse.

[bob213]

The Cavagna gets good reviews and would be high on my list, but I think you will find that many will still recommend the Marshall MEGR-253 or the Rego which I can't find to buy(or afford). I guess I'd go with the Cavagna.

[time2roll]

Grill is usually high pressure, RV is low pressure.

I recommend Cavagna brand regulator and pigtails. Regulator is easy to read and snaps into place when the primary cylinder is empty. The pigtails seem to have a superior crimp to hold the hose. Just seems like higher quality.

And yes my previous regulator was leaking for some time before I replaced mine.

[RoyF]

A small amount of WD-40 squirted into the hose will help keep it working - it does have moving parts.

[wopachop]

Thank you!! Been seeing that mentioned. Will have to look up what exactly its doing and make sure to avoid a single stage.

[beemerphile1]

Same pressure? - yes.

Grills typically use a single stage regulator, you should have a dual stage regulator on an RV.

[Lwiddis]

I prefer a non-automatic propane switch valve. When one bottle runs out I switch and refill the empty one. If an “automatic” mode allows you to monitor and adjust, fine. If “automatic” means “no thinking needed,” I say nope.