Orange Flame on stove and fridge pilot

[DAVIDERIN7]

The other day I noticed that the flames on both our stove burners, as well as the fridge pilot, had turned orange. I don't think LP tank #1 was low, but switched over to full tank #2 anyway. The flames burned orange for a bit, then turned blue. Later in the day they had both turned orange again.

Is this a symptom of a failing pressure regulator?

[Bob Miller]

I don't know how your tanks are set up, but the pressure regulator is usually common to both tanks.


Oil contamination can cause the flame to change color. And excessive oil can come from an LP filling station that isn't staying on top of maintaining their storage tanks. I'd suggest taking that tank to an LP dealership and have it purged of any contaminants.

[floyd]

Weigh each tank... 18 pounds is empty, 38 pounds is full.
Snoop the lines for leaks(not likely)
Check the screen on your regulator to be sure it is clear of obstructions. like ice in cold weather, or dirt, spider webbing, or wasp nest.
If it is plugged it will gradually reduce pressure to zero(yellow is part way there!)This is most likely.

If it is clogged with corrosion the result is the same, except that you will need a new regulator.

BTW, I'm assuming that you do not have one of those useless in line fuel gauges, If so remove it.

[stevebaz]

I just replace my 3 year old regulator due to internal corrosion. Since installed it has never been with out the 2 bottles attached and propane in it. I have changed the bottles before they have run out of propane. I do not know why they corroded but the corrosion blocked the over flow check ball system in the regulator. Remove the fill hoses and look inside the regulator.

If you don't feel comfortable doing this take the trailer to a professional who have the tools and skill to properly diagnose and repair the system.
orange flames are never good.

[DAVIDERIN7]

Thank you.

I'll disassemble and see if anything looks funny. I'm running the original pressure regulator (now 6 years old). We have no in-line gauges, and its a manual lever to switch from one tank to the other.

My inclination towards a failing regulator was because sometimes it runs blue and looks great, then migrates towards orange, back to blue....

Is there a point where it is advisable to replace a regulator due to age?

[stevebaz]

I don't know the life cycle of the regulator. when I bought my trailer 3 years ago I figure the old regulator had done its time. I also felt that the fridge could be doing better than it was. So to avoid problems I replaced the regulator figuring I could get a long time without problems. my fridge worked great after the change but I wasn't expecting to replace it again in 3 years. Who knew Chinese pot metal was allergic to american propane.

[DAVIDERIN7]

Originally Posted by stevebaz

I don't know the life cycle of the regulator. when I bought my trailer 3 years ago I figure the old regulator had done its time. I also felt that the fridge could be doing better than it was. So to avoid problems I replaced the regulator figuring I could get a long time without problems. my fridge worked great after the change but I wasn't expecting to replace it again in 3 years. Who knew Chinese pot metal was allergic to american propane.

Well, maybe I'll just change it out anyway.

I was looking at "upgrading" to an auto-changeover (Excela Flow 253P). Did you change out the lines too, as a matter of habit?

[Bob Miller]

The disadvantage to and auto change-over is that you may not be aware of the change over and, Ooops both are empty.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

The disadvantage to and auto change-over is that you may not be aware of the change over and, Ooops both are empty.

I've done that, once in seven years.
Checking propane is on a par with making sure the fresh water tank isn't empty. You just move the auto change-over lever from one tank to the other and it will indicate if that tank is empty or not.

[stevebaz]

Originally Posted by DAVIDERIN7

Well, maybe I'll just change it out anyway.

I was looking at "upgrading" to an auto-changeover (Excela Flow 253P). Did you change out the lines too, as a matter of habit?

I changed out the bottle lines with the first regulator change. I had to to get the new type bottle connectors so I could swap out my old style bottles.

[Joe Romas]

Regulators are adjustable but a "manometer" is required to properly set it.

But since the OP's pressure seems to raise and lower it's time to change the regulator.

Worthington Industries makes tanks with a built in guage that shows the actual level of propane in the tank.
Sam's and I believe Costco sell them for $29.99

Joe

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Joe Romas

...
Worthington Industries makes tanks with a built in guage that shows the actual level of propane in the tank.
Sam's and I believe Costco sell them for $29.99

Joe

Drat.. I've been resisting but might finally have to join Costo or Sams... Amazon wants almost $59 for the same tank.

[Joe Romas]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Drat.. I've been resisting but might finally have to join Costo or Sams... Amazon wants almost $59 for the same tank.

You can get a Sam's Club "One Day Pass" with a 10% surcharge.
https://help.samsclub.com/ci/fattach...e+Day+Pass.pdf

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Joe Romas

You can get a Sam's Club "One Day Pass" with a 10% surcharge.
https://help.samsclub.com/ci/fattach...e+Day+Pass.pdf

Or perhaps a sibling who is a member at Sams already will pick it up for me as a Christmas gift.. (hint hint, here is the link!)
Refillable Propane Gas Cylinder with Gauge - 20 lb. capacity - Sam's Club

[Joe Romas]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Or perhaps a sibling who is a member at Sams already will pick it up for me as a Christmas gift.. (hint hint, here is the link!)
Refillable Propane Gas Cylinder with Gauge - 20 lb. capacity - Sam's Club

They come "pre purged-ed" (under a vacuum, sticker on the knob) if filled within 6 months from the date of manufacturer that's stamped on the collar

U-Haul didn't check the dates on mine but some fillers might and charge for it.

[trainjunkie]

If you have an AMEX card, Sam's/AMEX now have a $25 off deal on membership.

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...0HzQ&gclsrc=ds

[Gerry Kiernan]

I am under the impression that a propane flame burning orange indicated that there wasn't enough air mixed into the gas. But, it seems odd that both flames are orange.

[herons]

Floyd, what is useless about the in-line fuel gauges? Scamp offers a propane gauge option for $50. I thought it might be useful to order it on my 2016 trailer.


Peg

[Bob Miller]

The "Pressure" type gauge is only an approximation and can vary based on outside temp etc. Most that use them don't like them except as "Almost Empty" indicators.


I you look back a few posts you can find a mechanical float gauge equipped tank for even less than the option. Tell Scamp to delete their tank and take a new one with a mechanical gauge with you when you pick-up.

[Joe Romas]

Originally Posted by herons

Floyd, what is useless about the in-line fuel gauges? Scamp offers a propane gauge option for $50. I thought it might be useful to order it on my 2016 trailer.


Peg

In line gauges give you a pressure reading. Basically they tell you when they are empty but you most likely already know that

For $60 total , $29.99 each, you can get two cylinders from Sam's Club with level gauges!
That's most likely what Scamp is offering.
Refillable Propane Gas Cylinder with Gauge - 20 lb. capacity - Sam's Club

Joe