Q&A on gas pressure regulators for heaters & appliances, set #2.
This article series explains LP or Natural Gas Pressure Regulators used on building appliances such as gas fired furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and stoves:
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These questions & answers about LP or natural gas pressure regulators used on appliances like heaters, furnaces, boilers, & water heaters were posted originally
at GAS REGULATORS & APPLIANCE / HEATER CONTROLS - be sure to review the help given there.
On 2018-09-26 by (mod) - sluggish thermocouple. DIY home made replacement?
You might be able to make a homemade bracket that will allow your refrigerator to work.
Watch out: Unfortunately I think you'll find that no one is willing to bet your life and safety and their reputation on a promise that what you want to do is okay since you are modifying original manufacturer's equipment and of course it's possible that what you do could be very dangerous risking fire or carbon monoxide Hazard or worse.
On 2018-09-18 by Mike
I have an older propane fridge with a sluggish thermocouple. The manufacturer says this thermocouple is no longer available.
I see other units the have the same collar / screw base to thread into the temp control unit, but the flame end is a bit different. I could fabricate a new mount at the flame end.
Will this work? Its a Danby DPR 2262 unit. I attached a photo of the original unit. Many thanks in advance.
On 2018-08-01 by (mod) - reasons to replace the flexible gas line connector between the gas supply line and the cooktop
Daisy,
There are a couple of reasons to replace the flexible gas line connector between the gas supply line and the cooktop, including
1. with age the old line may be corroded and at risk of leaking
2. ditto for its having been bent beyond normal
3. newer gas connector lines use a corrosion-resistant coating
Watch out: connecting gas piping needs to be done by someone who is trained in safe proper gas plumbing including leak detection to assure that the new connections are not leaking - else you risk a gas fire or explosion.
On 2018-08-01 by Daisy
Hi. I took my gas cooktop off to redo kitchen. Found the gas regulator pipe from cooktop to reulator bent and am concerned if it is still safe to use like that. since it's the actual pipe that goes from inside the cooktop down to the regulator, does it have to be straight? Who can fix that if it's fixable? Will i need a new cooktop??
On 2018-07-14 by (mod) - you cannot simply adjust the gas pressure to convert from LP gas to Natural Gas
Shawn
Thank you for asking, as it's a very important safety question:
The short answer is NO you cannot simply adjust the gas pressure to convert from LP gas to Natural Gas. Doing so would be unsafe and the gas appliance will not work properly if at all.
At CONVERT the GAS REGULATOR from Natural to Propane Gas
At the Q &A section at the end of that article https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Gas_Regulator_Convert_NG_LPG.php#FAQ
You'll see that I have repeated your question and there I give a detailed explanation of why just changing the gas pressure alone would not work and would be unsafe.
Please take a look and let me know what questions remain.
On 2018-07-14 by Shawn
Is it a big deal when converting from lp to natural gas if you cant adjust the pressure??
On 2018-04-24 by (mod) - listen to water heater manufacturer's technical support
Your technical support representative was correct.
Watch out: just be sure you discussed the right appliance model and specs with the manufacturer. Making a mistake could be unsafe.
On 2018-04-18 by Michael - gas co replaced high pressure valve at meter - are others inside the appliances?
Gas company replaced hp valve of meter and recommended appliance regulators for stove and water heater, stove had one, and talking with tech support of water heater says they have an internal one.
Believe gas company said incoming is around 14 and water heater placard says max supply of 10.5 but tech support says internal reg does that.
Would you still put an external one on flex tubing of water heater? Thanks.
On 2017-11-10 by rgh1492 - noisy Lochinvar watr heater - pulsating droning noise
Perplexed by low pitched pulsatile droning noise coming from 10year old lochinvar gas water heater.
Noise present all the time except when water heater shut down and pilot is out.
Soon as pilot back on we hear it even when thermostat set to 0 .
Noise also present when water and electricity are off. No leaks and tank has been drained of any scale and debris and has had sacrificial anode replaced. Any ideas anybody, please.
On 2017-03-17 by (mod) - don't stand back and try lighting a mis-behaving gas stove with a match
Watch out: No Melissa, don't stand back and try lighting a mis-behaving gas stove with a match
Only if you want to blow yourself to kingdom come.
IF you smell gas you need to
- do nothing that makes a spark or flame - no light switches, no phones
- get people out of the building
- if you can do so safely, turn off the gas supply at the source
- call for emergency services - from a safe location
It's possible that there is a gas regulator failure, unsafe gas pressure, or an over-filled LP tank - none of which is safe.
Sorry but I can't bet your life and others on a match.
On 2017-03-17 by Melissa
Should i stand back and just try and light with a match ?
Please help, went to make dinner and turn on my gas stove, made a gurgling noise and didnt light but smelled a strong smell of gas, i have pg&e if that helps the stove is only 3 yrs old !)
On 2017-02-19 by (mod) - Can I get rid of 2nd pressure regulator?
I don't know, Mike as I don't know what regulators are installed where on your building.
A plumber would not normally install a second stage gas regulator at a building if it were not needed.
Besides, if the regulator in question is dropping high gas pressure down to appliance-range pressures then you certainly need it.
Watch out: DO NOT try just unscrewing a regulator to remove it as - obviously - you could get blown up.
And delivering too-high gas pressure to the regulator for the appliance can also cause a fire or explosion. Search InspectApedia for GAS REGULATOR PRESSURES to read details.
An expert would follow the whole gas piping system from source through the building to find what equipment is installed, what's needed, and to be sure the installation is safe.
On 2017-02-19 by MikeJ
Can I get rid of 2nd pressure regulator? Connecting new oven/range.
Old big pressure regulator sticking out of floor, new oven/range has its own regulator built in, so is the old one (original 1980's, the range I'm replacing is not original).
If I leave it on, new oven has no cavity in back, won't be able to get oven flush to wall.
...
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