Is my propane regulator hooped?

[kip22]

Trying to do a quick winter trip. I hooked up the propane first time since September and turned on the stove. Turned on OK for a second then went to super low flame. If I turn the second burner on its so low its almost out. My furnace won't light at all.


I've tried two different tanks both full. Made sure everything was off inside first each time before connecting propane. I checked for leaks its all good that way.


Could it be cold or maybe damp in the reg and need to dry out?


The reg is only a year old camco.


Thanks!

[kip22]

Okay so I read somewhere it could be damp/humidity. I live in the pacific northwest. Its been raining for weeks then freezing at night. I hit the regulator with my heat gun on low (hair dryer temp or lower) with the tank removed (I'm not crazy).


That made improvement. Both burners looked okay but the furnace wouldn't light. I shut off the burners and lit the furnace and it lit. So better but low volume still just not as low. I hit it with the heat gun again. Gonna wait a bit and see if that makes a difference.


I guess my question now is does that matter or is the reg hooped and should be replaced?

[John in Santa Cruz]

Camco == cheap junk. Get a Marshall-Excelsior regulator... The MEGR-253(p). (p model is packaged), plus a pair of same brand pigtails. Don't need the high volume version, the standard regulator and pigtails is plenty for everything in an Escape on high at once.

[Tony O]

If your propane hoses hang in a "U" shape from the regulator downward and then back up to the tank shutoff connection disconnect the hoses at the regulator. Once off, let them dangle downward with the open end in a clean pan, shallow dish or something similar. Leave it that way for a while and see if any oil dribbles into the pan. If oil is present in the pan then you've found the problem. (All propane has some oil in it to help prevent the inside of tanks from rusting.)

I had occasions when my propane bottles were overfilled which can cause excess oil to settle into the bottom of the "U". When you start your stove (or other appliance) the sudden rush of propane gas pushes past the oil settled into the bottom of your hose and appears to operate normally. As soon as the initial rush of gas subsides into a state of normal, trickle level use, the excess oil resettles to the bottom (lowest area of the hose) and blocks normal gas flow from getting to where you need it. That's why the initial flame gets smaller or simply shuts off.



The lesson cost me install time and a new regulator but that's OK, now I have two functioning regulators. One is now a spare.

[Martin A]

Your issue could be turning on the tank too fast. There is an excess flow valve that is supposed to stop excess flow. Try turning off tank unscrew pigtail from tank for a second to release pressure, reattach the pigtail, then open the valve very slowly see if that helps. Good luck!

[kip22]

Thanks for the tips all. I tried everything no go. The regulator is toast. I ordered two new ones so I can carry a spare.

[Meadowlark]

Ditto on what John in Santa Cruz said regarding Camco. Considering that your regulator is only a year old and already buggered up? Pfft. The Marshall Excelsior is probably more expensive but like my father used to say, 'the best costs less in the long run."

[Cotton]

I'm just excited to find out what hooped means.....

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Cotton

I'm just excited to find out what hooped means.....

I've always heard it means broken. The slang dictionary says "beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; screwed."

[Iowa Dave]

Hmmm how many ways is there to say it’s not functional any longer!
Went south, crapped out, shot, DOA, FUBAR, and a few hundred others.
Iowa Dave