Low Pressure Regulator

[jmacchi]

i have an 83 scamp with the only propane hookup/use being the burners. how can i tell if my regulator is low pressure? ive seen the gauges but is there any other way to make sure? im using it for a wave 3

thanks

[Harry Young]

If I understand your question you want to check for pressure out put from the LP tank to the system inside the trailer? The easy way is most propane companies will do this in my area for free. An RV shop will do it for cheap...myself I do it no charge but if you want to do it yourself you need a water manometer, or a dial indicator...the manometer is much cheaper. You set up the water column indicator "manometer" and tap into the line in the trailer. (I use a tee) and read the pressure in inches of water column. (10-11 inches of water column is what I shoot for with LP) I also check leaks by watching if pressure falls when everything is off and the tank is closed.

Harry

Helpful links and a do it yourself accurate meter.

http://www.rvmobile.com/tech/Trouble/mono.htm is for dial indicators.

http://www.rverscorner.com/manometer.html is for a do it yourself meter you can build.

http://www.warehouseappliance.com/manometer.htm is another you can build.

http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/New-Gas-Manometer-P...emZ220339902143 you can buy

http://www.uniweld.com/catalog/gauges_ther...s/manometer.htm this is the one I own...14.00

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Good question jmacchi!
Harry Young, thanks for some good links.

I'd like to emphasize, when cleaning gas appliance orifices, not to use a tool larger or harder than a bristle from a soft paint brush or a human hair. Enlarging an orifice will destroy it. The orifice is a precise metering device so the amount of gas fuel vapor matches the amount of air for correct combustion. Obtaining a replacement orifice, should yours be destroyed, is often difficult. While there are some which are somewhat standard designs, there a many peculiar styles also. Friends have attempted to use air or water pressure for cleaning, and actually blown the orifice away from between their fingers. It would be a pity to have to replace a furnace because the orifice was ruined or missing.

That said, careful maintenance is not rocket science. Proper tools, a sense of adventure, some common sense, and caution will keep your appliances in working order.

Enjoy the process and the fruits of your labor,
Kurt & Ann K.

[jmacchi]

thanks for the help , ill make one of the manometers, not a bad tool to have

jason

[Casita Greg]

jmacchi,

To answer the question you actually asked above, the factory installed propane regulators used by just about all of the small trailer manufacturers (including Scamp) for trailer propane distribution are low pressure regulators, which are also called two-stage regulators. Certain appliances, particularly many, (but not all,) of the portable camp stoves and heaters, that use either the screw-on type disposable cannisters, or the presto-lok fittings generally, (but not always,) require single-stage, or high pressure, regulators.

The one thing no one else has mentioned, but worth bringing up here, is a few words of caution...You didn't say where you would be using it, but please be advised that they are not designed for use inside your trailer. The factory product paperwork also states that they are not designed for, nor intended to be used, inside trailers or other enclosed spaces. Using it in such an enclosure could kill you!

All fuel-burning heating and cooking appliances emit CO and CO2 as a byproduct of combustion. Catalytic heaters are no exception to this. Human body tissue will absorb Carbon Monoxide (CO) almost 200 times more readily than Oxygen (O2). When your body absorbs CO it won't accept O2, and hence, will cause asphixiation at the cellular level. If you suspect Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning, (a good way to check yourself assuming you haven't passed out yet) will be to look for a very noticeable bright red color to your lips and fingernail beds, as well as severe headache and shortness of breath, and overall sense of irritability or edginess. If you ever experience any of these symptoms, get out immediately, turn off the gas, and ventilate the space.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/...regulator/24029 Single stage regulator.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/...regulator/26059 Two stage regulator.

Greg

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Good info Greg, thanks for getting the thread back on topic!
Kurt & Ann K.