Hi there, we have a Sterling Eccles 2006 with the new style regulator on. It is now being replaced for the 2nd time. Has anyone else had bad experiences with these new regulators and what information have you been given for the reason why they are failing. Thanks in advance, Helen.
New style regulator
- Thread starter Helen_5040524
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Hi Helen, there seems to be a contamination peoblem with the supply of gas and the industry is working to resolve the issue. Bazz.
Damian
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- Mar 14, 2005
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Helen, this subject has been talked about, or rather written about, for ages now.
It appears to be some kind of problem with either the siting of the regs, or the gas, or a combination of the two.
It has only become apparent on vans of 2004 onwards, and as of yet has not been cured.
There are various opinions as to why they are failing, but nothing absolutely certain.
It appears to be some kind of problem with either the siting of the regs, or the gas, or a combination of the two.
It has only become apparent on vans of 2004 onwards, and as of yet has not been cured.
There are various opinions as to why they are failing, but nothing absolutely certain.
I have just returned from a trip in my 2006 Conqueror which was cut short by the infamous 30mbar regulator on Propane fault. Until this trip I was completely unaware of this problem only found out about it when it was explained to me when I called the dealer for help!
Anyway, whilst the guy was explaining that they don't know who is responsible for the problem blah, blah, blah, he happened to mention oil being in the regulator. Now I don't know anything about gas regulators or systems and why oil should be there in the first place but I do know that oil thickens when cold and as the outside temperatures for the two nights had been around 5oC. and this problem happened first thing in the morning after working perfectly all day, it got me thinking, what if the regulator was warmed up a bit?
I decided to try something, I wrapped a tea towel around the regulator and poured boiling water from a kettle into the towel until it had soaked up all the water and then kept pouring it gradually until the kettle was empty, I left it for half an hour to warm through and tried the appliances again... HEY PRESTO! They all worked again.
In case this was a co-incidence we ran the gas appliances as usual all throughout the day and then at bed time went over to electric only heating. The next morning, would you believe? No gas again!! I didn't have time to try the hot water treatment again as we were leaving site to take the van straight to the dealers to have the regulator sorted.
This article is submitted only as an account of my experience as it happened and should not be taken as advice on what to do. Gas systems can be very dangerous and should be treated very carefully, if you are in any doubt call your dealer, they are the ones qualified to advise you one this subject.
Anyway, whilst the guy was explaining that they don't know who is responsible for the problem blah, blah, blah, he happened to mention oil being in the regulator. Now I don't know anything about gas regulators or systems and why oil should be there in the first place but I do know that oil thickens when cold and as the outside temperatures for the two nights had been around 5oC. and this problem happened first thing in the morning after working perfectly all day, it got me thinking, what if the regulator was warmed up a bit?
I decided to try something, I wrapped a tea towel around the regulator and poured boiling water from a kettle into the towel until it had soaked up all the water and then kept pouring it gradually until the kettle was empty, I left it for half an hour to warm through and tried the appliances again... HEY PRESTO! They all worked again.
In case this was a co-incidence we ran the gas appliances as usual all throughout the day and then at bed time went over to electric only heating. The next morning, would you believe? No gas again!! I didn't have time to try the hot water treatment again as we were leaving site to take the van straight to the dealers to have the regulator sorted.
This article is submitted only as an account of my experience as it happened and should not be taken as advice on what to do. Gas systems can be very dangerous and should be treated very carefully, if you are in any doubt call your dealer, they are the ones qualified to advise you one this subject.
Dave,
Interesting observation - but be careful if you ever repeat your kettle trick.
I should explain that my background is a petroleum chemist / chemical engineer, and people use Propane gas in the winter because of it's low boiling point (-40C) - that's fine and dandy - but what most people won't know is that the critical point for Propane is 95C and boiling water is 100C
Just take care, and don't try to apply too much heat.
The regulator problem seems to be associated with Propane more than Butane, the oil seems to be a material leached from some types of high pressure rubber pig-tail, and regulator blocking is most likely to happen if the top of the gas bottle is higher than the fixed regulator (and the pig-tail also has an overall downwards slope - re-routing the hose may help)
Robert
Interesting observation - but be careful if you ever repeat your kettle trick.
I should explain that my background is a petroleum chemist / chemical engineer, and people use Propane gas in the winter because of it's low boiling point (-40C) - that's fine and dandy - but what most people won't know is that the critical point for Propane is 95C and boiling water is 100C
Just take care, and don't try to apply too much heat.
The regulator problem seems to be associated with Propane more than Butane, the oil seems to be a material leached from some types of high pressure rubber pig-tail, and regulator blocking is most likely to happen if the top of the gas bottle is higher than the fixed regulator (and the pig-tail also has an overall downwards slope - re-routing the hose may help)
Robert
AS a newbe to caravaning i didn't know about this problem and of course the dealer never pointed this out to me along with the fridge problem
Right I will get to the point
The new stainless steel gas pipes seem to be the answer costly but if that would fix it
If its an inherent design problem we can reclaim the cost from the dealer
well its a nice thought
AS a newbe to caravaning i didn't know about this problem and of course the dealer never pointed this out to me along with the fridge problem
Right I will get to the point
The new stainless steel gas pipes seem to be the answer costly but if that would fix it
If its an inherent design problem we can reclaim the cost from the dealer
well its a nice thought
Right I will get to the point
The new stainless steel gas pipes seem to be the answer costly but if that would fix it
If its an inherent design problem we can reclaim the cost from the dealer
well its a nice thought
- Mar 14, 2005
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Whilst I am glad that you were able to continue your holiday, I am concerned that the action you took may other cause problems.
A typical caravan is designed to maintain the gas outlet pressure 28,30,37mB above the atmospheric air pressure (dependant on the model). It senses the air pressure via a small hole usually on top of the regulator.
If you allow water to cover the hole, as the regulator operates it will suck some inside the bell housing. Whilst it remains in its liquid state no problem but if enough has entered, when it freezes it restrains the diaphragm from working properly and will not maintain a constant outlet pressure. This can cause over gassing or under gassing, depending on diaphragms position.
The problem is exacerbated, because as the high pressure gas from the bottle enters the regulator it experiences a pressure drop. As the gas expands it actively cools the regulator so any water may freeze even though the ambient temperature is above freezing
That is why the Gas safety regulations require that the regulator is protected from rain or immersion in water.
taking on board John L's comments about the risk of water getting into the regulator, what if some gentle heat could be directed into the locker from the blown air system? Wouldn't this have a similar effect to the hot water on towel approach
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