What is making my propane regulators leak?

[Mike_and_Kathy_]

I have a new 2013 Thor Challenger 37DT that I bought in mid-August. The dealer had it on it's sales lot for about 8 months. I have had the propane regulator replaced twice in that time for leaks in regulator. Now I smell propane again at the regulator and the regulator is all frosted over. Temp outside is in the lower 60's.

What could be making the new propane regulators leak and why is the third one frosted over? Three regulators leaking in 2 months has got to be more than a coincidence. Could there be a problem with the propane in the tank that is making the regulators leak? It has a two stage regulator.

[Mike_and_Kathy_]

Well, the real cause of the problem was finally found. The propane tank was defective, allowing liquid propane to get to the regulator. The propane tank was replaced under warranty. Dougrainer (above) was right.

[westend]

ghaindle wrote:
Over the weekend a friend of mine tested her cook top for an upcoming trip. The burner erupted and in a matter of seconds the trailer was burned to the ground. Could this have been the cause?

Liquid propane or rather liquid and gaseous propane combination in the supply line will flare quite a bit when ignited. Having no regulation will cause an eruption. From 1500 mi. away, it's hard to say what caused the fire, could have been one of the above or could be many other causes.

[doxiemom11]

We also had a brand new regulator that leaked. Changed to a different brand - no problem. It was a factory defect in that brand.

[doxiemom11]

We also had a brand new regulator that leaked. Changed to a different brand - no problem. It was a factory defect in that brand.

[Mike_and_Kathy_]

Dealer determined that problem is a defective propane tank. Frosting of regulator occurs when using tank that came with the rv, but does not occur when supplying propane to same regulator from a portable tank. Dealer replacing the propane tank.

[RvBill3]

On forestriverforums.com many people are reporting leaking regulators (new) on 2012-2013 models. I am one of them. Replaced with a different brand and have not had any problems since (about a year) .

[wa8yxm]

Likely the cause in the case of the fire was operator error.. Howevever there are several other possible causes as well..

I'm going to keep watching this thread to find out what the answer is. I do agree the connections for liquid and gas are different..> Save for one spot. And it should be impossible to confuse them.. Less it was a factory error.

[ghaindle]

Chris Bryant wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
The usual cause of a leaking LP regulator is just one thing----Liquid LP gets into the regulator.
1. Overfilling the LP tank even tho it has a Auto cut off and running down the road with the tank completely full with the valve open will allow the Liquid LP to slosh into the pick up tube.
2. Depending on the tank, the pick up tube may be welded on in the wrong place and will allow Liquid LP to get to the regulator. There some Manchester ASME tanks that have this problem. Tiffin had a few and the tanks had to be replaced. After 3 regulators, the odds are you have a defective LP tank. Doug

What he said. Frosting of the regulator in 80 degree weather means liquid is in it, period.

Over the weekend a friend of mine tested her cook top for an upcoming trip. The burner erupted and in a matter of seconds the trailer was burned to the ground. Could this have been the cause?

[dougrainer]

wa8yxm wrote:
I thought I answered in this thread.. Might have been an identical thread in another forum

I know of two things (other than a defect) that can cause a regulator to leak

ONE is back pressure.. ("Foreign regulator) If your regulator is properly set at say 11" of water pressure. and you have a 2nd tank hooked via it's own regulator to the output side and it's set to 11.01" the lower pressure regulator will attempt to vent propane from the low pressure side to bring it down.

This, I assume is not your problem however.

The other is this.. Many motor home tanks have two outlets. Liquid and Gas.. The Liquid outlet is for a propane generator

The gas one is for the regulator

Hooked to the wrong outlet.

THIS will cause the regulator to frost like you would not belive. The "Vapor temp" of liquid (The boiling point or where it turns to vapor) Somewhat rounded is forty degrees below zero, Your choice of C or F.

The Liquid and Vapor are totally different connections on the tank. So, it would be very difficult to connect them wrong. Doug

[wa8yxm]

I thought I answered in this thread.. Might have been an identical thread in another forum

I know of two things (other than a defect) that can cause a regulator to leak

ONE is back pressure.. ("Foreign regulator) If your regulator is properly set at say 11" of water pressure. and you have a 2nd tank hooked via it's own regulator to the output side and it's set to 11.01" the lower pressure regulator will attempt to vent propane from the low pressure side to bring it down.

This, I assume is not your problem however.

The other is this.. Many motor home tanks have two outlets. Liquid and Gas.. The Liquid outlet is for a propane generator

The gas one is for the regulator

Hooked to the wrong outlet.

THIS will cause the regulator to frost like you would not belive. The "Vapor temp" of liquid (The boiling point or where it turns to vapor) Somewhat rounded is forty degrees below zero, Your choice of C or F.

[doxiemom11]

We got a defective regulator that leaked in a joint that had nothing to do with being tightened. Took it back - same thing on replacement. Went to a different store, got a different brand and no problem. The defect was in a factory joint.

[Chris_Bryant]

dougrainer wrote:
The usual cause of a leaking LP regulator is just one thing----Liquid LP gets into the regulator.
1. Overfilling the LP tank even tho it has a Auto cut off and running down the road with the tank completely full with the valve open will allow the Liquid LP to slosh into the pick up tube.
2. Depending on the tank, the pick up tube may be welded on in the wrong place and will allow Liquid LP to get to the regulator. There some Manchester ASME tanks that have this problem. Tiffin had a few and the tanks had to be replaced. After 3 regulators, the odds are you have a defective LP tank. Doug

What he said. Frosting of the regulator in 80 degree weather means liquid is in it, period.

[time2roll]

Try a different brand?

Never mind. Chris and Doug have it.

[dougrainer]

The usual cause of a leaking LP regulator is just one thing----Liquid LP gets into the regulator.
1. Overfilling the LP tank even tho it has a Auto cut off and running down the road with the tank completely full with the valve open will allow the Liquid LP to slosh into the pick up tube.
2. Depending on the tank, the pick up tube may be welded on in the wrong place and will allow Liquid LP to get to the regulator. There some Manchester ASME tanks that have this problem. Tiffin had a few and the tanks had to be replaced. After 3 regulators, the odds are you have a defective LP tank. Doug