Gas flow problems

[Jackie_374243436]

Hi does anyone have any ideas re gas flow problems.Over New Year we had a problem with restricted flow of gas to appliances.We tried it again on arriving home and thought the problem had passed as it appeared ok.Upon taking the caravan out again last weekend it happened again.We could have the fire on but nothing else,or perhaps the hob on it's own, although this was very low, and took an age to boil a kettle.If we tried to use more than one appliance the others went out.The dealer sent an engineer out to us to change the regulator, i know there have been problems associated with these, the van is 2 years old, and it is the type of regulator fitted directly to the van. It worked for a few minutes but then became restricted again.Any ideas on what to try next?My husband has tried to blow out the pipes. We are unable to use the caravan again till the problem has been solved.Help!

 

[Damian]

Jackie, this may sound very silly, but to clarify the situation, what gas are you using? Butane or Propane, and are you sure the bottle has gas in it?

If you have the Blue bottle, itis Butane, and will not work very well in these low temperatures.

Assuming the engineer changed the regulator, didi he also change the pigtail? if not, then it will probably have gummed up the new regulator already. He should have change dit, as it is the pipe reacting withthe gas causing the problem.

 

[Jackie_374243436]

Jackie, this may sound very silly, but to clarify the situation, what gas are you using? Butane or Propane, and are you sure the bottle has gas in it?

If you have the Blue bottle, itis Butane, and will not work very well in these low temperatures.

Assuming the engineer changed the regulator, didi he also change the pigtail? if not, then it will probably have gummed up the new regulator already. He should have change dit, as it is the pipe reacting withthe gas causing the problem.

Thanks Damian,We use Propane gas as we caravan all year round.Although we have caravanned for many years we have never had this problem before now.Do you mean the pipe when you day pigtail? My husband tried a new pipe last night and it seemed to work well although the short pipe we tried it on over the weekend had only been used a couple of times as we usually use a long pipe and a larger bottle.It seems these new type regulators do not work as well as the older type and cause many more problems!!We are going to try it again with the older longer pipe again tonight but i am concerned now after what you say that this may contaminate the new regulator again.

Thanks for your comments Damien.

 

[Damian]

Thanks Damian,We use Propane gas as we caravan all year round.Although we have caravanned for many years we have never had this problem before now.Do you mean the pipe when you day pigtail? My husband tried a new pipe last night and it seemed to work well although the short pipe we tried it on over the weekend had only been used a couple of times as we usually use a long pipe and a larger bottle.It seems these new type regulators do not work as well as the older type and cause many more problems!!We are going to try it again with the older longer pipe again tonight but i am concerned now after what you say that this may contaminate the new regulator again.

Thanks for your comments Damien.

Jackie,

Having read your reply, and thatyou use bigger bottles, which I am guessing are located outside the gas locker, this may well be your problem as the gas level in the bottle will probably be higher than the regulator, allowing condensate to drain into the regulator.

The important point to keep in mind is the pipe from the bottle to regulator MUST run uphill, or you will just have the same problems, maybe even more pronounced as the bottle and pipe are outside the locker and subject to bigger temp differences than those inside th gas locker.

 

[Jackie_374243436]

Jackie,

Having read your reply, and thatyou use bigger bottles, which I am guessing are located outside the gas locker, this may well be your problem as the gas level in the bottle will probably be higher than the regulator, allowing condensate to drain into the regulator.

The important point to keep in mind is the pipe from the bottle to regulator MUST run uphill, or you will just have the same problems, maybe even more pronounced as the bottle and pipe are outside the locker and subject to bigger temp differences than those inside th gas locker.

Thanks again Damian, it seems strange we have not had this problem before and although we use bigger bottles outside the van it is only the 13 k bottles and they will be lower in height than the regulator even when full.Will get a new longer pipe today so as not to contaminate the regulator again.Problem is how do we prevent it happening again??.Your comments and help are much appreciated.

 

[Damian]

Thanks again Damian, it seems strange we have not had this problem before and although we use bigger bottles outside the van it is only the 13 k bottles and they will be lower in height than the regulator even when full.Will get a new longer pipe today so as not to contaminate the regulator again.Problem is how do we prevent it happening again??.Your comments and help are much appreciated.

Hi Jackie,

There are two possible ways to reduce the problem.

One is to fit a 90 degree elbow to the regulator so thatthe pipe comes in horizontally.

The second option is to use a different regulator, still bulkhead mounted but made by a different maker.

Have a look here: http://www.bes.ltd.uk/nav_graf/frames_cat.html

Go to LPG & Oil, then Regulators and click on it.

When the page comes up, go to the 4th page, the part number is 16543.

 

[Jackie_374243436]

Hi Jackie,

There are two possible ways to reduce the problem.

One is to fit a 90 degree elbow to the regulator so thatthe pipe comes in horizontally.

The second option is to use a different regulator, still bulkhead mounted but made by a different maker.

Have a look here: http://www.bes.ltd.uk/nav_graf/frames_cat.html

Go to LPG & Oil, then Regulators and click on it.

When the page comes up, go to the 4th page, the part number is 16543.

Thanks again Damian,you are a mine of information.How come you know so much are you a caravan engineer?I really appreciate your help.Do you think we are best to replace the long hose,will it contaminate the new regulator, i tried today but could not get a new one.Kind regards Jackie

 

[Damian]

Thanks again Damian,you are a mine of information.How come you know so much are you a caravan engineer?I really appreciate your help.Do you think we are best to replace the long hose,will it contaminate the new regulator, i tried today but could not get a new one.Kind regards Jackie

Hi Jackie,

Yes I personally would change the hose, as it appears to be suffering from leeching caused by the gas, which is blocking your regulator.

Once it starts, the hose breaks down very quickly, allowing more contaminants to escape from the lining of the hose.

I would also change the hose to the High Pressure (Orange) hose ,unless you are already using that.

As for the question about being an engineer, yes I have a mobile service business here on the Isle of Wight.

 

[Jackie_374243436]

Hi Jackie,

Yes I personally would change the hose, as it appears to be suffering from leeching caused by the gas, which is blocking your regulator.

Once it starts, the hose breaks down very quickly, allowing more contaminants to escape from the lining of the hose.

I would also change the hose to the High Pressure (Orange) hose ,unless you are already using that.

As for the question about being an engineer, yes I have a mobile service business here on the Isle of Wight.

Thanks again Damian, would part number 16852 on the site you informed me of do the job as it is high pressure hose but black rather than orange.Wish you lived closer as i would definately use you to service our caravan, again thanks for all the info.

 

[Damian]

Thanks again Damian, would part number 16852 on the site you informed me of do the job as it is high pressure hose but black rather than orange.Wish you lived closer as i would definately use you to service our caravan, again thanks for all the info.

Jackie, yes that would be OK, but personally I would go for part No 17000 as it removes the need for a spanner to change bottles....very handy late at night.