Humming gas regulator

[Tomas]

My concern probably has been discussed many times, but I can't find it doing a search. I have an older Scamp that the gas regulator hums intermittently does this mean that it needs replacing?

[CharlesinGA]

You could invest in music lessons for it........................

Making noise while gas is flowing thru it is not unusual. Making noise while gas is not being used by any appliance, that is not good. If the regulator is over 10 years or so old, it probably should be replaced. Seals and diaphragms do go bad, even in the best of components.

Charles

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Tomas

My concern probably has been discussed many times, but I can't find it doing a search. I have an older Scamp that the gas regulator hums intermittently does this mean that it needs replacing?

It probably just doesn't know the words!

[Jon MB]

The 'hum' is a result of the gas pressure regulation process by which the valve is being rapidly opened and closed to make up for the consumed gas, while limiting the pressure available on that appliance side of the valve.
A diaphragm opens a valve to permit the higher pressure on the tank side to flow into the lower pressure appliance side, but just until the appliance side reaches its lower, less-than-tank-pressure limit. That lesser pressure on the low, or appliance, side then closes the supply from the high pressure tank.
As the appliance consumes that gas on the low pressure side, the pressure on that side drops and re-opens the valve to permit more high pressure gas to be supplied.
The pressure on the appliance side rises and the valve closes again.

Turn up the appliance burn rate and the valve needs to stay open for a longer percent of the time. The valve cycles slower and the 'hum' frequency changes.
Turn down the appliance burn rate and the valve stays open for a shorter percent. The 'hum' frequency changes.

[Lloyd (aka Santa) Coltman]

The phenomenon that results in the 'Hum' is also applied in the operation of 'Air Horns' on heavy trucks, trains, and ships, but amplified by tuned 'trumpets'.
We had a 'humming' regulator (with an extended vent) on our home natural gas supply. When we pinned down the source of the noise reverberating through the entire house, we called the supply company. The service tech removed the vent extension (required because of proximity to basement window) and the 'resonance' changed, eliminating the noise. 'Aha!' he said, and proceeded to replace the regulator and vent extension. Three plus years and no buzz.