Propane regulator??
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Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 9:30pm
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Topic: Propane regulator??
Posted By: Pod People
Subject: Propane regulator??
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2022 at 9:45pm
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We just got back from our latest week long trip in our 2015 179. For the first half of the trip all of the propane appliances worked well. Halfway through the trip, all of the appliances lost effectiveness. The refrigerator would not cool below 45 degrees with the outside temps 45-65. The heater would blow cool air but never really got hot. The stove burners would have blue flames about half as high as normal. The tank had been turned on continuously since we started-no off/on at all. So, I was pretty sure that the problem was not with the tank’s over flow safety device. I first turned everything off, appliances and propane tank. I checked the tank and there was plenty of propane left. I disconnected the propane line from the refrigerator, took the burner out and blew out the propane line , the burner and the orifice with compressed air. Before reinstalling the burner unit, I cleaned the chimney as best I could. I put everything back together , turned on the propane and the flame looked stronger. With no other propane being used, the refrigerator worked better and the inside temp started coming down into the lower 40’s and then high 30’s by dinner time. As soon as we started cooking dinner, the stove flame looked pathetic. Each burner was about the same when used alone and much worse when both burners were on. We struggled to cook and also noticed that the refrigerator seemed to have rising temps. Later that evening, I turned on the heat and again it blew warmish air only. We weren’t cooking, but the refrigerator was still trying to cool. It seems that the appliances were being starved for propane. After getting home, I have tried a new propane tank, disconnected the supply hose from the tank to the regulator and the hose from the regulator to the trailer’s hard piping and blown both hoses out. I did not see any oil or contaminants. I had replaced both of these hoses and the regulator about 3 months ago, and everything has worked fine for 3 different week long trips up to this point. This includes many off/on cycles as well as tank refills. I feel like this problem must be the regulator. I have read about regulators and apparently Camco does not have a very good track record. E Trailer sells a unit made by M B Sturgis ( https://www.etrailer.com/Propane-Fittings/MB-Sturgis/108221.html - https://www.etrailer.com/Propane-Fittings/MB-Sturgis/108221.html ). Does anyone have any experience with this regulator or have recommendations? Does anyone have any other thoughts? Thanks for your help. Travel safe Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2022 at 10:04pm
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I had the same thing happen to me on a trip. I thought the regulator was bad, so I replaced the regulator. It made no difference. I finally figured out it was the pigtail that connects the tank to the regulator. It has a valve in it that is supposed to prevent uncontrolled flow of propane if the hose breaks. That valve had gone bad. I replaced the pigtail and all was back to normal. You might wish to replace that hose first. You may be experiencing a similar problem. I also had something similar happen with one of those gauges that go on the tank valve and then you attack the pigtail to it. It also went bad. Gas would start off okay and then quickly die down. These are a couple of things to check before spending money on a new regulator. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2022 at 10:33am
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I was not aware of an internal valve in the hose that runs from the regulator to the tank. However that original hose was replaced 5 years ago with a basic hose I had made up (at a propane supply business) when I installed a Harbor Freight box and needed a longer hose because of a different routing into the box. That being said, 8 years into owning our 177 I had a similar thing happen although when the hose leaving the regulator was removed a lot of oily goo came out of both regulator and hose. Hose was blown out, regulator was replaced with a Camco two-stage (#17-59323) and problem was solved - that was 3 years ago. Was told by a tech that I shouldn't leave propane on if it isn't being used for a long period of time so I guess it was totally my fault as the lines were basically pressurized 24/7 for 8 years unless I was changing out tanks. Now, if it isn't being used for a period of over 2 weeks, the valve is shut off. Did troubleshot an individual who had a similar problem, took outgoing line out and it was clean. Then removed the regulator, turned it upside down and noted a small amount of the oily goo come out. Replaced the regulator and he was back in business. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2022 at 10:20am
| I have found a good practice is to weigh the tanks when full and write the number on the tank with a sharpie . they hold around 16-20 lbs. An empty tank can be a sneaker. |
Posted By: SC for Huskers
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2022 at 2:31pm
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Jato, You have posted the Goo thing before and I just assumed it was a hose issue. Where does the black Goo come from?  ------------- Happy Traveling, Tom 2017 172pod 2011 F150 STX |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2022 at 4:52pm
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Apparently over time the elements/gas that make up propane break down over time and produce the black, goo, greasy substance. This takes quite a while to happen. As stated above, I kept pressure in the line of our 177 for about 8 years 24/7 except when changing a tank out. Probably the biggest culprit of this happening was during the winter months here in northern Michigan when I would keep the valve open and it would sit there 'hibernating' from November 1 thru May 1 every year. Since replacing the regulator I turn off the propane and bleed the line during the winter months. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2022 at 3:40pm
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I just wanted to follow up this post with the hopefully final chapter. Pretty simple-I took off both the upper and lower rubber hoses that connect to the regulator. Both hoses were clean and not blocked-no sign of contaminates or oil/goo. I replaced the regulator and everything now works perfectly in the driveway. I turned on both stove burners-had good high, noisy flame. I turned on the fridge and it lit immediately and you could hear the flame from outside the wall vent. I turned on the heater and the air was hot. So, all 3 propane appliances were on at the same time and seemed to be working well at this point. I replaced a Camco 59323 regulator that I installed in August,2021 with a M B Sturgis regulator from etrailer. I have read several other accounts of Camco regulators being problematic. Safe travels Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2022 at 8:17pm
TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 5:55am
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I believe it's oil, there is a small amount of oil remaining in the propane after refining, and sometimes you can get a lot depending on what is in the supply tank when you fill. Eventually the oil builds up in the regulator or other constricted orifices in the system.
One theory is to shut off the tank valve and bleed off the propane in the regulator and lines when youre not using the trailer, which would get rid of most of the oil that could otherwise condense in the lines due to thermal cycling and clog the system. Don't know if that works or not. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |