Propane regulator

Jun 15, 2012
715
BAVARIA C57 Greenport, NY
Hi All,

Propane stove inoperative due to no gas at stove. Have turned on all 3 burners with solenoid on, no smell of propane at stove. Loud metallic click heard each time solenoid operated. Pressure gauge shows 100+ on either tank. Disassembled solenoid valve, removed piston and reassembled without piston. Still no propane at stove. Checked propane hose to stove, no issues found. Have ordered new regulator, will install this weekend. Anyone have a similar issue?

Thanks!
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
Pressure is not an indicator that there is gas in the tank. An empty tank will show some pressure, and I believe a full tank is 300 psi. You may just be out of gas. Barring that, and assuming the tank valve is open, it could be the regulator has failed or the line is plugged or pinched.
Get the tank filled and try again. If still no flow, disconnect the hose or line from the solenoid to the stove, and momentarily activate the solenoid. You should hear and smell gas escaping. If no flow there, it would have to be the regulator. If you have flow at the solenoid but not at the stove, then it must be the hose or pipe between them.
Also, the newer tanks with the OPV valves (triangular handle) have an internal safety valve that shuts off the flow if the flow rate is too high, like from a broken line. You sometimes have to disconnect the regulator from the tank with the tank valve off to reset that. Once you get flow, be sure to ventilate the bilge well to avoid an explosion.
 
Jun 15, 2012
715
BAVARIA C57 Greenport, NY
Capt jgw

I did try disconnecting the gas line to the stove at the solenoid with the piston removed. Opened the triangular valve, saw 100+ pressure, still no flow at the solenoid outlet. Did not know about the internal safety valve. New regulator on the way, hope it solves the problem.
 
Jun 11, 2011
1,243
Hunter 41 Lewes
Capt jgw I did try disconnecting the gas line to the stove at the solenoid with the piston removed. Opened the triangular valve, saw 100+ pressure, still no flow at the solenoid outlet. Did not know about the internal safety valve. New regulator on the way, hope it solves the problem.
Had a similar problem on the last boat and a new regulator solved it. Around 100 psi sounds right, I actually thought just under 100 when filled.
 
May 24, 2004
7,164
CC 30 South Florida
The dials on the pressure gauge are not very accurate but a reading around 100 psi should be adequate. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the regulator to reset the system pressure. Wait 15 seconds before reconnecting The solenoid is designed to default to Off in case of failure but if it is clicking and the plunger was removed then it is not likely restricting gas flow. Unlikely that you may have a stuck OPV valve in two separate tanks so everything points to the regulator; it may have sensed a false leak or may have failed. Make sure the stove valves and the solenoid are off before installing the tank and then open the tank valve slowly. Proceed to turn on the solenoid and the burners. The stove should have thermal switches so make sure you depress the knobs and hold until the burner is lit.
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,158
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Pressure gauge shows 100+ on either tank.
If you're showing approx. 100 PSI on you're gauge, you ARE supplying gas to the pressure reducer (regulator). If there's no sign of any gas on the outlet of the regulator, it's the regulator that's shot.

BTW the temperature of the propane tank is the ONLY thing which controls the pressure in the tank providing there is at least one drop of liquid propane in it.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Likes: JamesG161
Jun 15, 2012
715
BAVARIA C57 Greenport, NY
Problem solved! Replaced regulator over the weekend with unit purchased from Amazon for only 13 bucks.
 
Sep 26, 2010
2
Hunter 340 head of st margarets bay
I know this is an,older post but hoping I can get some advice. The propane tank onboard my H340 is full. Propane will run for a bit then shut off. Only thing that works is trying it again the next day and it will light. When on at the stove you hear the propane. When it has these stop working issues, there is no propane running thru, you hear nothing . As some have suggested get a new regulator. Is the regulator come as a kit in the attached pictures. Sorry for the questions but I know nothing about a regulator but when it is working I can whip,up some mighty fine food
 

Attachments

Jan 4, 2006
7,158
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
If you know nothing about regulators but are completely comfortable with hoses and pipe fittings, I suggest the following in order to replace your reg.:

1. Tightly shut off the valve on the top of your propane tank.

2. Remove your propane regulator from the connecting hoses.

3. Take the regulator to a propane supplier who handles parts and they will provide a replacement. Also get a roll of gas tape at the supplier. Do not use ordinary white teflon tape.

If you are not completely comfortable with hoses and pipe fittings, DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER. You will be risking a fire at best or a gas explosion at worst. Call a gas fitter, hand over the regulator, and let him install it. Having the reg in hand, you'll have saved him some running around = money.

4. Install all fittings on the regulator.

5. Open the gas valve on the tank.

5. Test all of your fittings with a weak solution of dish washing soap to ensure you're leak free.
 
  • Like
Likes: Bumpers Mom

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,745
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
BTW the temperature of the propane tank is the ONLY thing which controls the pressure in the tank providing there is at least one drop of liquid propane in it.
A propane tank is empty when there is no LIQUID propane in the tank. Ralph is point on target!

Tip: Never let your propane tank have Zero Liquid. The way the re-fillers do it is on a weight scale, never pressure. Who cares if you refill a 50% full tank? BTW re-filler have to leave a propane gas space in any propane tank (≈85% liquid full is FULL).

Using Ralph's chart you can see the expected "standby" pressure if you know the outside temperature. As you consume propane, the temperature of the tank's contents drops as you use "outside temperature" to boil the liquid propane to make propane GAS.
Jim...

PS: I know, I know, more info than you needed. Zero pressure allows possible air and moisture in your tank.
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
My gauge was 140/150 this past weekend. If you get the "gas" tape, it will probably be yellow. I believe I got mine at West, along with a small bottle of leak-testing liguid.
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,158
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
My gauge was 140/150 this past weekend.
Warm day. 30 - 35 deg. C (86 - 95 deg.F).

Say, maybe if one doesn't have a thermometer on board, just look at your propane pressure gauge.

I know :confused:. Just got to get back on the water.
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
Propanidex? Ralph, we're coming over to remove some dock lines. You better be on the boat. :)
 
Jun 2, 2011
347
Hunter H33 Port Credit Harbour, ON.
Bumpers Mom, it could be an issue with the solenoid valve shutting off when it gets warm. (electrically that is) Turn the gas on at the switch in the boat and check that the stove works. Turn off the stove and leave the electrical switch in the boat on for about the same amount of time that the gas would normally flow or maybe a little longer. Then try and relight the stove. If there is no flow of gas to the stove then it is possible that the solenoid valve is shutting off.

Good luck.