lp regulator failed already

etothepii · 10-16-2011, 04:20 PM

I've not had this happen before on any other camper. But the regulator seems to have failed. We went for our final camp of the season, and as I set up, I couldn't get the pilot to light on the water heater. Burner and furnace wouldn't light either. I took the tank to the camp store and filled her up, still no go on all three fronts. Has to be the regulator, right?

Is this a warranty issue? If so, is it worth towing an hour and a half just to get it fixed? I'm sure I can do it myself. Plumer's putty or teflon tape is all I need, right?

I have a brand new single stage regulator from a grill which I set up to run on my home's natural gas. Could that work, or is a dual stage required?

Thanks for any input you all can provide.

BTW, we cooked a lot on pie irons this weekend

**Crabman** · 10-16-2011, 04:49 PM

This is a warranty issue if the regulator has failed. Perhaps the dealer or Jayco would send you one if that is the problem. Even if they do not, the standard regulator (not an autochangeover) on my trailer is only about 20 bucks if you have to buy one and install it yourself. Driving an hour and a half each way would cost way more then that considering gas and time spent IMO. I don`t think I would mess with the one from your grill at home. Was the tank empty when you had it filled or still some gas left? If empty you may have to wait for the air to purge from the lines but you probably have that covered. Also check for any possible leaks in the system.

McMonk · 10-16-2011, 06:25 PM

Give Jayco a call ... they may agree that the cheaper option for them is to simply send you a new regulator, OR, ask to have it looked at by an independent RV repair shop... in the end, it'd be cheaper for everyone!

clutch · 10-16-2011, 06:47 PM

We had a similar problem and the dealer put a new hose on the regulator to the side that quit working. That took care of the problem. They said that they have had several do that this summer.

**Crabman** · 10-16-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutch

We had a similar problem and the dealer put a new hose on the regulator to the side that quit working. That took care of the problem. They said that they have had several do that this summer.

Clutch, did they explain how or why the hose failed? Just curious as to what could fail on a LP hose short of a leak or bad connection

etothepii · 10-16-2011, 07:40 PM

With the LP hardware left over from the grill, I can at least try replacing a hose to see if it makes a difference. If not, I'll probably buy a new regulator myself on Amazon. Maybe upgrade in case I ever want to go with a dual tank set-up.

Seann45 · 10-17-2011, 06:50 AM

YELLOW teflon tape not the white stuff...

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-17-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

YELLOW teflon tape not the white stuff...

...and no plumber's putty anywhere. That's stuff's for mounting fixtures such as faucets and sink drain baskets, not sealing pipe threads. Do not use any kind of sealant on flared fittings and POL fittings (looks like a rounded cone and may have an o-ring on it).

Be sure to check all your connections for leaks with soapy water.

etothepii · 10-29-2011, 09:00 AM

All of a sudden, it works fine.

Can there be somehting like vapor lock in an lp system?

etothepii · 10-29-2011, 09:28 AM

...and a half hour later, it doesn't work again!

clutch · 10-29-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabman

Clutch, did they explain how or why the hose failed? Just curious as to what could fail on a LP hose short of a leak or bad connection

The tech said something about a restriction and they had several that did that. It works fine now.

Topflight · 10-29-2011, 03:52 PM

I had a hose plug up a couple years ago. The guy that replaced it, at the campground, said it's pretty common. It must be, I noticed later that many campground stores have the hoses in stock. Something about a one-way valve that gets stuck and becomes a "no-way" valve.

RedHorse1 · 10-29-2011, 08:06 PM

I'd bet it is the flow restrictor in the hose from the tank to the regulator (pig tail). If you turn the gas on quickly the restricter can close and you've got no gas. I just went through this. Sometimes you can tap the tank-end and free up the valve. Unscrew the pig tail from the reg, hook it to the tank and slowly open the tank valve. Should be a little flow, open it more and the flow limiter will kick in. The RV shop will have one for around $20, I got lucky and had one made at a propane shop for $7 !!! IMHO this is a prob not worthy of a warranty claim. If the pig-tail will flow but you've still got no gas then then probably it's the reg. That is a $20 part as well. Again not worthy of a dragging your TT in for service. IMHO for a $100 or less, I'll do it myself if I can figure it out. Mostly it ain't rocket science.

etothepii · 10-30-2011, 08:44 AM

I have a spare pig tail hose. I'll swap it out and see if there is a difference. Thanks!!

SmokerBill · 10-30-2011, 02:24 PM

Propane tanks have an excess flow shutoff. Sometimes if you open the valve too fast, it senses that there's a leak and the flow shuts off. Try closing the valve, bleeding off some pressure (stove top burner would work), and then opening the tank valve very slowly. That might be your problem.

Bill

**Crabman** · 10-30-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

Propane tanks have an excess flow shutoff. Sometimes if you open the valve too fast, it senses that there's a leak and the flow shuts off. Try closing the valve, bleeding off some pressure (stove top burner would work), and then opening the tank valve very slowly. That might be your problem.

Bill

Been there and done that one, Smoker!

mcfarmall · 10-30-2011, 06:15 PM

Had the regulator take a dump on me this weekend on the 5lb tank I use on my 39,000 BTU burner. Would only let a whisper of gas through. Time to watch the roadsides on garbage day!!

RedHorse1 · 10-30-2011, 08:26 PM

Went to a "winterization" presentation today. Presenter seemed pretty knowledgeable. Said 5 years is about what to expect from a reg. They're cheap so a spare might be in order.

BigWonderfulWyoming · 01-27-2012, 06:40 PM

I had that problem when I turned on the bottle, hardly any flow, so for the hect of it I tapped the regulator and immediatly got flow...be sure to run your stove for a minute to let air out of the system............

jal0710 · 01-30-2012, 04:27 PM

I had one regulator fail in 18 years with our first fifth-wheel. It was quite easy to put on a new one. I never ever had a problem with how I turned on the gas, but that technology might not have been around with we bought our trailer, 1993. Hope our new one lasts longer than 4-5 years, however will have to wait until we pick it up, and go camping, after April 15th.

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