LP gas problem advise....

Sorry, I`m not talking about a tractor...Even though, I remember Grandpa having a WD45 that ran off propane. Got to drive it some when I was a young lad, hand clutch on the right ta boot.
Anyway, we`re having a "hic-cup" with our house lp gas. I "think" that I did "diagnose" our problem being the regulator. It`s a Fisher Governor brand, so I`m guessing its pretty old. We had another gas line put in & it just says Fisher...being about 10 years old.
The line in question has our water heater, a little space heater & the stove. The past 2 nights its been high teens, low 20`s. Last night at midnight I went to use the stove and the pressure was low. The pilot light on the water heater also went out. Woke the wife up worrying that we may have a gas leak, uncovered vents and put the nose to them, did not smell any gas. So next step in my mind, was find something to tap on the regulator and my wife watched the flame while I tapped. She said there was changes in flame height, therefore I really think it is the regulator. Every thing has been fine so far today, with the temp being high 30's. I don't want this happening again.
Wondering if you good folks think that my diagnoses is correct and that the regulator had just stuck. My wife pointed out where we have another regulator that I can swope out with. If you do think I should do this, when I took the one to swope with off the old line it had putty on the threads. Will thread tape work as well, because that is what I have on hand. Thank you for any and all input once again.

Gilbert in Il

At the low teens how much fuel do you have in the tank? If you are in the 10 to 15% range you are just running out of pressure. And yes you can use thread tape.

I've had regulators freeze many times at temps around 20F or colder with propane. All it takes is a little moisture in your propane to cause it. Next time it happens pour some warm water over your reg. If in then starts working, that is your problem and you need some propane "antifreeze" added. Any good propane dealer can inject some ethanol into your tank to fix the problem if it IS from freezing moisture. By the way, if you've got a single regulator system - it is much more prone to freezing. That's because of the larger pressure-drop then with a two regulator hi-low system.

Thank You both for your reply! The tanks got about 8%, sooo, its about time for "that phone call". It`s Never gave us fits before, colder temps, acting like it was out of gas before. Just wanted to get you all`s advice Before money man(gas co.) said ya need this & that!!! Apreciate your advice!!!!!....Gilbert

I bought a brand new 500 gallon tank about five years ago. It was fine for the first three, and then started freezing up every time temps got below 20F. I had to pour water on my reg many times. After dosing the tank several times with ethanol, the problem finally went away. I suspect my problem was caused by a delivery with moisture in it - but who knows? The guy I buy my propane from injected the ethanol for free, so I can't complain.

Mine did this when there was moisture freezing in the regulator . Warmed it up dried it out. covered it up. Problem went away.

Well...last year we had a new guage/meter installed...it was leaking at the top of the tank. Maybe humidity( I doubt that...,but i don`t know). The gas co. has been on time & all. We own the tank!, so....I`ll have questions....& a few answers too! Thank you`all for input! Gilbert

I would not use tape on propane, it is absolutely
forbidden on natural gas. if a small piece of tape
gets in the line it could travel half way through a
valve and prevent closure, leave a small leak and
blow your house up. Do not use tape!

Things expand when they get hot and contract when they get cold, except water. I think you tank is almost empty, it got cold and the pressure dropped to wher you couldn't get enough volume at the pressure you had. Tell you gas supplier, fill the tank and get them to do the anti-freeze thing you should be okay

where did you come up with your basis for not using tape? every thing I see in the manufacturers specs of the various tapes approved for use on lp state they are okay. bill m.e

Yep,

Fill your tank.

Allan

yellow tape is for gas

Some nat. gas suppliers inspect the piping and will not turn on the gas if there is any sign of tape.

(quoted from post at 23:30:57 12/11/11) where did you come up with your basis for not using tape? every thing I see in the manufacturers specs of the various tapes approved for use on lp state they are okay. bill m.e

Click to expand...

I think he explained it pretty well: A piece of tape can break off and get in the system and cause problems. The passages through valves and regulators are tiny and a piece of tape can get wedged pretty easily.

IMHO, use the tape if you absolutely cannot go to town and get some dope, but keep the tape back about one thread from the end of the nipple/fitting. That way it can't possibly get in the system.

On Liquefied gases I have had the best luck with RectorSeal #21 for Natural Gas I prefer RectorSeal # 5 but RectorSeal #21 is ok also.

In our area several of the Liquefied gas suppliers will not allow the use of Tape but the Natural gas supplier will allow tape if it is the yellow type.

As it has already been stated any time that you use tape start to wrap back at least 1 to 1 ½ thread from the end (that is a good idea when using pipe dope also, no dope on tne end thread).


Another problem with tape is that it reduces friction so it is easier to over tighten while using normal wrench force, when screwing a pipe or nipple into a casting such as a valve, it is possible to crack the casting by over tighten.

(quoted from post at 19:42:36 12/11/11) I've had regulators freeze many times at temps around 20F or colder with propane. All it takes is a little moisture in your propane to cause it. Next time it happens pour some warm water over your reg. If in then starts working, that is your problem and you need some propane "antifreeze" added. Any good propane dealer can inject some ethanol into your tank to fix the problem if it IS from freezing moisture. By the way, if you've got a single regulator system - it is much more prone to freezing. That's because of the larger pressure-drop then with a two regulator hi-low system.

Click to expand...

Had much the same problem. Thought surely I must be out of gas. Gas supplyer said pour warm water over the regulator. Tried it and heard a click from the reg. and all was OK. Won't hurt to give it a try.

Make sure the vent on the regulator ISN'T iced over. That can lead to a dangerous situation. Also set such that water, snow, rain cannot get into it.
No spider or other insect obstruction.

Some of the newer two stage ones have covers available for them. Cheap protection.