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LP gas tank regulatorLP Gas Tank or Gas Cylinder Regulator FAQs
Q&A on LP gas regulator pressure & flow

This article explains LP Gas Pressure Regulators used on LP Gas or Propane tanks.

How to Inspect & Test LP Gas Valves Regulators, or Gas Controls and we provide descriptions and photographs of unsafe LP gas piping, LP gas regulators, or LP gas valves & controls on appliances or heating equipment.

We describe indications of unsafe or improperly operating gas appliances, gas meters, and other gas installation defects.

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Q&A on LP Gas Tank / Cylinder Regulators

LP gas regulator vent These questions and answers about the regulator used on LP tanks or gas cylinders were posted originally at x - be sure to review the gudiance given there.

On 2019-01-02 by (mod) - shut off gas and replace leaky LP tank regulator

Watch out: Mike in that case the regulator needs replacement (or possibly repair of a torn diaphraghm) - turn the gas OFF IMMEDIATELY as you risk a fire or explosion.

On 2019-01-02 by Mike

Smell and sound coming from screen on regulator.

I have a leak coming from my lp regulator for a generator. All connections are tight.

On 2018-12-29 by (mod) - gas burner flames are too low

If the gas flames on your burners are noticeably lower is possible that you have a low pressure condition and that could be an adjustment at the primary regulator. Your gas company can easily check for the pressures are correct and you should ask them to do that

On 2018-12-29 by Alan

Can a regulator not adjusted right cause a boiler not to work properly.. Also our oven and stovetop seems to be not as hot.. Its LP and we noticed itaftr we switched propane company

On 2018-03-30 by walt

what size reg. is needed for coleman direct vent sealed combustion system--forced air down draft 55;000 input 44;000 output mobil furnace model #7655-856

On 2018-01-18 by (mod) -

Anon

For space and to permit illustrations your question and our reply are now found in the article GAS REGULATORS for LP TANKS. Take a look and let me know if questions remain.

On 2018-01-18 by Anonymous

How do I check the gas coming out of my regulator for LP ? It is for a commercial deep fryer on a Mobil truck.

On 2017-05-04 by Anonymous

How do you turn psi up on regulator

On 2017-05-04 by Anonymous

Will a regulator off a camper work for a house stove

On 2017-04-12 by (mod) -

Mike: the answer depends on the appliance gas demand, piping lengths, diameters, and regular pressure settings. To support more than a few gas appliances some gas systems run at a higher pressure and require a secondary gas pressure regulator.

Usually all the appliances in the home are at about the same pressure (5" WC). The pressure drop in the piping depends on piping length and diameter as well as the number of appliances that want to operate simultaneously. These are given in tables in Appendix A to the National Fuel Gas Code.

You can find a copy of that table in this article https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Gas_Pipe_Specifications.php

On 2017-04-10 by Mike

How many Gas Appliances can you run off of one regulator

On 2017-03-06 by (mod) -

Tita

Without knowing what exactly is hissing we don't know if the noise you hear is normal or if the regulator is unsafe. For example if there is a gas leak the unit is unsafe and the gas should be turned off immediately.

Please see more about regulator noises at

https://inspectapedia.com/Appliances/Gas_Regulator_Humming.php

On 2017-03-06 by tita

My petron gasul lpg and its regulator emits a hissing sound, how to adjust it?

On 2017-01-19 by Cindy whitten

I have a new 20 lb tank. It ran out of propane in 3 days. I only run stove to boil water. RV..help

On 2016-10-09 by (mod) -

Possibly, depending on added features such as piping diameter and location of the primary regulator. But this condition also sounds unsafe. I'd prefer to turn off the gas supply until it's inspected by a licensed plumber familiar with gas piping, codes, appliacnes.

On 2016-10-02 by rick eastham

I moved my propane 500 gal tank 40 feet further from my house.now the pilot light is ok but the burners wont light .

is it possible I might have too low of inlet pressure at the fire place to light the burners...........thanks

On 2016-04-13 by (mod) -

John

TURN OFF THE GAS SUPPLY IMMEDIATELY

as there could be a risk of fire or explosion.

Some regulators can be repaired by replacing a diaphraghm, but frankly given the life-safety issues I would not myself attempt a cylinder regulator repair; I'd replace the device, or if repair rather than replacement were necessary I'd have the repair done by a qualified, trained expert.

On 2016-04-13 by John gayhart

My cylinder regulator is venting his do I test it see it can be repaired

Question: can I add fixtures to our propane gas piping system?

(Aug 29, 2011) Jeff said:

I have a propane tank that feeds my standby generator. I am interested in adding a propane range to my house (about 200' away).

I have buried black plastic piping between the two locations. Can I run a high pressure line to the house, install a regulator there, then low pressure to the range?

Does the regulator need to be outdoors? The black plastic comes into my basement, but I could run the HP line through the sill back outside for the regulator if required.

Reply:

Jeff, yes; you'll need to comply with local codes and the National Fuel Gas code to be safe.

Be sure that the buried line and all other sections of piping are of approved material and are protected from damage; and yes you will want a second LP gas regulator at the house as well as the regulator at the appliance. Otherwise you may find that there is too much of a pressure drop.

Question: Gas explosion flame at apartment LPG system in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

(Sept 9, 2012) Ken Wayne said:

The new Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam apartment building I moved into supplies SUNHOME two burner LPG from a tank underneath the counter.

My first try at boiling noodles, the burner (set to medium low, soon explodes with flame powerful enough to blow the pot across the room and then dresses me down with flame all the way down to the floor. I was wearing shorts. Sans leg hair and some arm hair I incur 1st degree burns from front of thigh down.

SHELL tank, SHELL model #2010 (KABSONS India company made) flow regulator with "Excess Flow Safety". (EN:12864 NOM. OUTLET Pr. 30 mbar Max INLET. Pr. 16 BAR) Capacity 1.5kg/h So, get it tested before I pursue my options of compensation?

Reply:

Certainly you want an expert inspection of the current installation for safety and you should expect the inspection to specify the actual repairs needed.

It sounds as if your system may have had an LP gas leak or uses the wrong orifice (natural gas for example) or the wrong pressure settings. As your note cites, all of these are very dangerous conditions.

Question: use existing LPG supply lines and regulator for a standby power generator?

(Mar 8, 2013) Anonymous said:

is it wise to install a standby generator and us the existing supply line regulator?

Reply:

Anon,

Plumbing codes permit multiple appliances to be served from a single gas line provided piping and shutoffs are installed to code.

If you are asking about natural gas, if in your area that supply is often lost during storms ot other disasters that sounds sensible too.

Keep in mind that in flood zones if your LP tank floats up ie was not anchored, the piping will be disturbed and unsafe.

Also there maybe additional clerance distance specifications beween the LPG tank and the generator.

Question: Explosion during installation of new propane tank, left with jury-rigged system

NikkiTaylor said:

While our local propane company was installing a new tank, the valve failed and the entire contents of recently filled 100 lb tank were spewed into the air at high speed, causing an explosion (but not a fire) which resulted in a temporary loss of hearing for my 69 year old husband and the propane delivery man.

Rather than replace the valve, they "rigged" the system and said it could be fixed after we empty the tank.

I am concerned about the long term effects on my husbands health, our lawn and landscaping, the nearby hardiboard siding and our roof (not to mention our neighbors and the environment).

I am also concerned about our safety due to the temporary fix. I can't find any info this type of incident over the internet.

My husband thinks it is no big deal and refuses to contact anyone or notify our insurance carrier. Over the cell phone, I heard my husband's conversation with the propane expert who came out to inspect things, so I know my husband was not exaggerating. Should I be concerned about this incident, or am I just a nagging wife?

flag like

Reply:

Nikki

I can't offer very specific advice as we're just relying on information in an e-text but it sounds scary to me as well - as if amateurs may have jury-rigged an important safety control on your LP gas system. But then I'm not clear just what failed - the tank fill valve or the gas regulator valve.

In my OPINION, an LP tank installer who is putting in a new tank ought to know what they're doing. If they don't I'd first call the company's service manager and ask for an experienced qualified installer to do the work.

Meanwhile what to do now? I'd give your local plumbing inspector and fire department a call to

- check for safe and proper installation of all of the LP system components

- check that there are no gas leaks.

If you can provide details of what your "propane expert" saw and said we might be able to research and comment further.

I'm having trouble reconciling the events you escribed with an inspection by an expert whose comments and findings are not in your note. Also you can use our CONTACT link at page top or bottom to send us photos of what's installed at the present - allowing further comment.


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