<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n7. Automatic Changeover Malfunctions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n This applies to dual propane tanks with automatic changeover regulators which are often found on RVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the changeover doesn’t occur automatically and you are forced to make the change manually, the regulator could be glitching. Eventually, more hitches will begin to show up as it deteriorates further including the weak flames and gas leaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a sign of a faulty propane regulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This problem usually arises when propane regulators have clocked roughly ten years or longer. Automated changeover is a precise system and natural deterioration will easily cause it to malfunction indicating that the gas grill regulator needs to be retired. Replace it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Regulator is Frozen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Frozen propane regulators are a rare occurrence and often happen in humid areas. Propane is a gas but in the tank, it is a liquid under high pressure. In warm areas, propane vapors can evaporate too fast and lodge in the regulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without movement or flow, they condense causing the regulator to freeze up such that you cannot turn on the tanks. An LP gas regulator is built to avoid this but as I said, on rare occasions, it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This problem usually corrects itself given time but you can encourage this by ensuring that your propane tanks are sitting on an even surface. This ensures the vapors are not flowing unevenly in the regulator and settling in the crevices encouraging condensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, if your propane tanks have just been refilled, they may be full to the brim which gives the vapors no room to form. Liquid propane flows very quickly into the regulator but in this state, it can’t flow out into the line. When this happens, the propane regulator fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Release some of the gas in an open area. A short release is sufficient and once you have replaced the propane tanks, let them sit for an hour and test the regulator again. If the regulator remains frozen, it may be permanently damaged and you will need a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Can I Test My Propane Regulator?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n I mentioned checking for gas leaks by applying soapy water to the connection points and observing whether bubbles form. This confirms that there is a leak in the gas supply. You can also conduct the following RV propane regulator troubleshooting options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simply Blowing Air<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Turn off the regulator and disconnect it from the propane gas tank. Disconnect the hose from the gas grill as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light a candle and place it away from any wind flow to create a stable flame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ensure the regulator knob is in the OFF position and place it against the candle. Blow air through the hose and into the regulator. If you affect the flame or blow it off, the regulator is faulty. If the flame is not affected in any way, your regulator is fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turn the regulator knob to the ON position and blow air into the regulator through the hose and towards the candle. If you only affect the flame slightly, you may have a clogged propane regulator. If you can blow out the flame then the regulator is working. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This test is effective but it cannot detect low gas pressure accurately. For that, you will need a pressure gauge.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nFlow-Pressure Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Turn off the gas grill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attach the gauge to the test tap of your gas grill shut-off valve and set the burner controls to the highest setting. Compare the pressure of the flowing gas to the indicated pressure requirement on the tag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A discrepancy in these figures indicates a malfunctioning regulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lock Up Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n This test reads the static gas pressure which should not exceed the flowing gas pressure you have measured above by more than 30%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turn off all your propane appliances. Close every gas appliance’s shutoff valve. Turn on the propane tank and let the gas flow into the gas delivery system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leave the container service valve open. With the appliance shut-off valves turned off, the pressure in the gas lines will rise and then stabilize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Observe the pressure readings for a minute. The reading should not fluctuate. If it moves up or down the regulator is bad and should be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Do not attempt a regulator lock-up test or a flow-pressure test without training or the help of a professional. When propane gas regulators are faulty, these tests expose you to the hazard of an explosion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The most reliable sign that your propane regulator is faulty is the presence of weak flames. Sometimes, your automatic RV propane regulator can be defective due to a manufacturing defect but these are uncommon. My RV propane regulator works like a dream but that’s only because I learned how to fix some of the simple […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10922,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10916"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10916"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11115,"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10916\/revisions\/11115"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10916"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=10916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}