Hello everyone - a bit of advice please on blocked gas regula...

[Trevor_374293488]

I'm sure this subject has been aired before but I'm new to this forum and would be grateful for some definitive knowledge.

I purcheased a new Abbey GTS215 Vogue in 2004 and, last week, fitted a third Truma gas regulator due to liquid/waxy deposit blockages.

I know there has been quite a drama between Calor and Truma but was wondering if it has been finally resolved.

 

[Mel]

Get your hands on the April 2007 edition of MMM, and look at page 209, the article on Gas Starvation which looks at your problem in detail. The issue is all to do with regulator positioning. The article goes on to say that an NCC meeting convened in November it was agreed:

1. Truma has rescinded its earlier decision to cease replacing contaminated regulators...

2. Caravan and motorhome anufactures will respond by preparing a kit of fitttings that permits a regulator to be remounted as high as posssible in existing gas lockers.

3. Dealers must carry out manufacurers' modification instructions and will be entitled to claim around 30minutes labour time...

I have no technical knowledge myself but even I could understand the article, it is really worth a read.

 

[Trevor_374293488]

Thanks Mel,

My caravan is due for a service so, following your advice I have asked them to undertake this modification under warrenty. I have to say that there was a little reluctance on their part and unless I had made it clear that I knew this work should be done FOC they would not have offered to do it. Just shows the importance of being in the know.

 

[AnnM1]

I was recently talking to the service manager at our local 'van dealership on this particular topic. He said that the deposits were caused due to the actual gas canisters not being cleaned out properly before being refilled. I have no reason not to accept this explanation. In fact, he saved me

 

[Mel]

As I said above I am not a technical person, but MMM was very clear that the problem was due to the regulator being positioned too low, and the use of coupling hoses made of rubber and plastic and therefore containing plasticers which, when the gas condenses, form the oily liquid which blocks the gas supply. The article says, "It has been concluded that the positioning of a regulator is especially important. If a regulator is mounted lower than the top of a supply cylinder and if there is a downturn in the coupling hose, condensation can run down into its mechanism." The stainless steel pipes don't contain the plasticers and hence prevent the problem. As I said in my reply to Trevor, dealers are supposed to carry out the modifications to reposition the regulator FOC. If your van has this problem, go back to your dealer brandishing a copy of MMM and get them to think again. Alternatively have a look at the NCC website, where MMM says there is more info.

 

[TJdiver1961]

I have read extensively on this topic and have found there are, and probably always will be, many conflicting views coming from individuals who have an opinion but very little supporting evidence. The important issue is what steps we can take as caravan owners to reduce the likelihood of being affected by the problem.

If you visit Gaslow's website, www.gaslow.co.uk, there is a copy of a January 2007 report from the National Caravan Council on this very matter. Yes, Gaslow are marketing their products and No, I dont represent or work for them but the report is very informative. It would seem this regulator problem is due to perhaps a combinaton of factors and not just any one of them. Composition of gas, cleanliness of cylinders, position and orientation of regulator and pigtail hose material all seem to have a part to play.

So what can we do about it?

Composition of gas---NOTHING!

Cleanliness of cylinders---NOTHING!

Position and orientation of regulator---PERHAPS. Take a look at where your regulator is mounted relative to the tops of your cylinders and have a "competent person" relocate it if necessary so that the pigtail hoses run uphill to the regulator.

Pigtail hose material---ABSOLUTELY! Stainless hoses are easily available and contain no plasticisers. I dont consider