Propane Regulator

[Barko1]

The last couple trips I have discovered that when I started cooking coffee in the morning my propane (Wave) heater would go out. Both the stove and heater work fine by themselves so my hypothesis is that they just isn't enough gas flowing to feed both at the same time. I presume that means a regulator issue, I think it is 12+ years old, should I just pitch it for a new one?

 

[ski3pin]

Mr. Barko, given that these are fairly inexpensive trying a new regulator would probably be the first thing I would do. If that didn't do it I'd next try a different propane source. From my limited experience, your reasoning sounds good to me.

 

[simimike]

After 12 years I would remove the regulator and check for debris. There may be a screen on the inlet side that can be addressed with a wire brush. If possible, and you're comfortable with, dismantle the regulator and inspect and clean it. Don't use solvents or WD40 as these may react with the propane or components in a negative way. Soapy water and an old tooth brush work best. Rinse and dry thoroughly. After reassembly check for leaks. If this doesn't solve the problem then a new regulator is in your future. From a safety stand point: When in doubt, throw it out and get a new one.

Mike

 

[Barko1]

I did take it off when I got home and the vent seemed good. It had a cap over the spring and it seemed adjustable in that spring tension could be changed by how far down you screwed the spring cover. I left it about where it was, don't want to create any fireballs, may have given it a slight turn. Reassembled and tested and it seems I can now run the heater and two burners on high so it seems good to go. I'll give it another test but it may be fixed. Thanks.

 

[MarkBC]

Since this seems resolved...I thought I'd ask a related but slightly off-topic question:

Does anyone ever hear periodic "bubble" sounds coming from the propane tank and slight pulsations in the flame of the stove burner with each "bubble"? The period -- the time between bubbles/pulsations -- is a few seconds. (imagine, "blub" 1, 2, 3, "blub", 1, 2, 3, "blub" -- like that)
I'm sure it has something to do with the vaporization of the liquid propane, but I don't know what the plumbing looks like inside the propane tank, so I can't quite figure out the mechanism of this. The bubble/pulsations are more rapid/frequent when the propane is flowing more -- e.g., when the Wave and the stove is on the pulsations are more-frequent.

I don't think this happens all the time -- I don't notice it all the time. I don't remember if it happens when the tank is more full or when it's more empty, but it's probably one or the other.

I don't know that this is a problem...but the fact that the stove flame pulses a little seems less than ideal.
Just wondering...Thanks for input.

 

[Barko1]

Mine does seem resolved, passed the test again this morning. The bubble sounds like a fuel flow interruption, a guess would be air? Tank purged? Or would it be some fluctuation caused by the regulator sticking? I never heard any sounds but I'm 1/2 deaf so it may have been. Perhaps mine also had a bubble and that is when the Wave would go out but nice and even flowing now.

 

[MarkBC]

The bubble sounds like a fuel flow interruption, a guess would be air? Tank purged?

Yeah -- now that you mention it, seems like I recall somebody recommending purging, to break a vapor lock...or something like that. Something about loosening the fitting (a bit) where the hose connects to the tank and cracking the valve on the tank a bit.
Anybody remember that?

 

[MarkBC]

The bubble sounds like a fuel flow interruption, a guess would be air? Tank purged?

Yeah -- now that you mention it, seems like I recall somebody recommending purging, to break a vapor lock...or something like that. Something about loosening the fitting (a bit) where the hose connects to the tank and let out "the bad air".
Anybody remember that?