Propane Regulator Installation - Scamp Style

[floyd]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Interesting.. does yous sit outside 24/7 exposed to rain? Mine does. (Dont like that fact but its not so easy for me to rectify ) It had quite a bit of water in it.

Some weeks, especially when traveling! Even then only if it rains
It has a plastic cover which I removed to take the picture, the vent is horizontal toward the rear of the trailer. The cover is open at the back and behind. much more decorative than protective.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by floyd

...
It has a plastic cover which I removed to take the picture, the vent is horizontal toward the rear of the trailer. The cover is open at the back and behind. much more decorative than protective.

Ahh there ya go. The reg says to point the vent down OR use a cover. While I plan to do both, it looks like a cover such as the one I bought and show above, would be sufficient even for the way it was mounted.. if only Evelands included that $4 item.

[Jon in AZ]

Hmmm... Mine has the cover. Pretty sure it was OEM in 2008. Curious whether they are leaving it off now or yours was an oversight.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

..Curious whether they are leaving it off now or yours was an oversight.

Well now so am I... Anyone who bought or does buy a new Scamp, please let us know if your propane regulator has a cover. Photos would be great!

[stevebaz]

I perfer to mount the regulator solid and run a whip hose to the tank. The regulator hanging out in the air like a bbq tank is ok for the bbq but hanging out like that bouncing down the road is allot of leverage on that 1/4" brass pipe nipple thats between the tank adapter and the regulator. With even more weight and leverage added with a rubber hose on the end.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Ahh there ya go. The reg says to point the vent down OR use a cover. While I plan to do both, it looks like a cover such as the one I bought and show above, would be sufficient even for the way it was mounted.. if only Evelands included that $4 item.

The vent must be kept clear to allow air to the diaphragm, my cover does practically nothing to keep the opening dry. Of course facing horizontal or downward prevents accumulation in the rain, but even facing downward won't prevent frost or ice blockage on the screen, rare as it is.
The vent is another place to watch for insect nesting plugging it or dirt accumulation.
If you drove home from the factory across I-94 that cover could have bounced off on the way home.

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by floyd

If you drove home from the factory across I-94 that cover could have bounced off on the way home.

I think you might have the answer Floyd. I am amazed at all the items I see on the side of the road that came off RVs. Wish I had a buck for every vent cover . Bet none of them knew it until they got to their destination either. This may be your answer to the missing cover Gordon.

[Triker]

I don't think there was a cover over the regulator on my 13' Scamp, p/u Feb. 2016. If there was, it fell off within 10 miles of leaving the factory!

[k0wtz]

There is how I rigged mine up got rid of the double tank and its weight!!!

[k0wtz]

Mine has never had one on it still going at 22 years anyone wants it write me!! free!!!


bob

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Triker

I don't think there was a cover over the regulator on my 13' Scamp, p/u Feb. 2016. If there was, it fell off within 10 miles of leaving the factory!

You photo shows that you have a side vent regulator whereas my original one has the vent inline with the output hose. If they had mounted your reg the same as mine, lengthwise along the frame, then the vent would be pointed down. They seem to be hell-bent on doing it wrong. If I were you, I would try to remount is with the large vent facing down. Bit I see that might be hard to do because everything is on the "wrong" side. My rig has the reg and hose into the camper on the port side. At least get a cover.

I cannot swear that I never had a cover, but I think if there was one when I picked up the camper I would have noted it. I look things over pretty well when I spend $16,000. But it is also true that at that time I did not know a cover was recommended when the reg is mounted as it was.

[Jon in AZ]

Interesting, Ann. Yours is on the opposite side of the A-frame from mine. Mine is mounted street-side and attached to the inboard side of a bracket so the body of the regulator is protected by the frame. Yours is mounted curb-side and outboard. Must be because you have the front bath model, but that still doesn't explain why it doesn't have a cover.

Gordon, I'll take a picture of my set-up later. It looks like it might work for you, since yours is also mounted street-side with a single tank set-up. Mine is raised up higher than your second photo on a bracket so the hose is protected. Looks to me like Scamp eliminated the bracket and the cover as a time/cost saving measure. Time for another letter?

[k0wtz]

jon did they always put covers on their regulators this is the first instance I have ever seen of these covers!

bob

[k0wtz]

So I see in the post if the manufacture screws up with his mounting job lets cover up the problem with a cover!

How about this why didn't they remount the thing correctly? Sometimes I wonder!

bob

[Jon in AZ]

The promised picture. This was the OEM regulator and attachment in 2008 on a front bunk Scamp 13 with a single LP tank.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by gordon2

You photo shows that you have a side vent regulator whereas my original one has the vent inline with the output hose. If they had mounted your reg the same as mine, lengthwise along the frame, then the vent would be pointed down. They seem to be hell-bent on doing it wrong. If I were you, I would try to remount is with the large vent facing down. Bit I see that might be hard to do because everything is on the "wrong" side. My rig has the reg and hose into the camper on the port side. At least get a cover.

I cannot swear that I never had a cover, but I think if there was one when I picked up the camper I would have noted it. I look things over pretty well when I spend $16,000. But it is also true that at that time I did not know a cover was recommended when the reg is mounted as it was.

What do you think the purpose of the cover is and in what way does it protect the regulator?
Camco makes one for $4.41 Mine is cracked with a piece missing so I will likely order a new one, for cosmetic purposes only (I think it is pretty).
Here is what Amazon says about it...
Camco's Covers for LP gas regulators is designed to protect the regulator’s vent opening from sleet, snow, freezing rain, ice, mud, and wheel spray. If any of these items are able to cover the vent or enter the vent the regulator could become inoperable.
Oddly, no cover is supplied with the purchase of a Camco regulator.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...SABEgLMnfD_BwE

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by floyd

What do you think the purpose of the cover is and in what way does it protect the regulator?
Camco makes one for $4.41 Mine is cracked with a piece missing so I will likely order a new one, for cosmetic purposes only (I think it is pretty).
Here is what Amazon says about it...
Camco's Covers for LP gas regulators is designed to protect the regulator’s vent opening from sleet, snow, freezing rain, ice, mud, and wheel spray. If any of these items are able to cover the vent or enter the vent the regulator could become inoperable.
Oddly, no cover is supplied with the purchase of a Camco regulator.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...SABEgLMnfD_BwE

All I know about reg covers I have leaned in the last week, yet I actually feel like I can speak with some authority on the subject!

If you mount a regulator with the vent facing up, then it will work OK at first but then the reg will fill with rain water and rust, and then fail in short order. So we don't mount them that way!

If you mount the regulator with the vent facing down (or within about 45 degrees of down), water will generally not get in it, and any that does will drain out if it and it will last many years longer. No cover needed (but neither will it hurt to use one).

If you mount the regulator with the vent less than 45 degrees down or so, or with the vent vertical as in my original install, then water will get into it and it will rust and fail. A cover that extends a few inches from the vent will prevent almost all rain and road spray from getting into the vent, and almost all damage from rusting.

I think it is actually that simple, and the cover serves no other purpose really. Your local climate, storage and usage of the camper will also either contribute to a longer life for the reg, or a shorter one. Of course ventilation is still required in case there is a leak, as well as any other manufacture's instructions such as using outdoors only.

I based these statements on what I read, and the fact that there was a good amount of water in my reg, and lots of rust. Looking at any particular camper, the way the regulator is mounted and the orientation of the larger vent, you should be able to tell if it is likely to get water in it or not. If yes, get a cover. If not, maybe it will be fine with no cover.

[gordon2]

OK! The new regulator is installed and has passed the soapy water bubble test.
I will put the covers on after it passes the flow rate and pressure drop tests.

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by gordon2

OK! The new regulator is installed and has passed the soapy water bubble test.
I will put the covers on after it passes the flow rate and pressure drop tests.

Just a question Gordon. Any particular reason the reg is installed with part of it below the frame rail instead of even or above it for a little protection from road debris?

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Borrego Dave

Just a question Gordon. Any particular reason the reg is installed with part of it below the frame rail instead of even or above it for a little protection from road debris?

Its off kilter a little to take the stress off the hose to the tank. With the reg on the side instead of the top of the frame the hose is just barley long enough. No other reason and in fact it was mounted level at first and I did not like the stress on the hose, even after turning the tank in that direction. If I have to replace the hose at some point I will get one that is 2 or 3 inches longer but for now I am trying to reuse what I can since its only two years old.

Maybe I will get a bracket where it can be mounted higher instead. The mount I used was free since I had the parts (and no more holes in the frame rail were needed). Next time I am at the RV store I will look for one.