On Fire watch

[Gary Cole]

A couple of weeks ago I replaced my cooktop with a shiny new one with auto ignition. When I inspected the appliance regulator I found that it was defective. Doing nothing, no restriction in either direction. As I understand it the secondary regulator is a backup in case the main tank regulator fails and possibly fills the interior space with propane at upwards of 200 psi. I'm wondering what are the odds of a regulator failing open as I stand there holding one in my hand. A very serious hazard would be a failure at an appliance which started automatically such as the water heater or refrigerator. 

The new one cost $8.00. Turned the propane off till I can replace all the regulators including the one at the main tank. I don't see any point in taking a chance. Just because an older regulator is working one day doesn't mean its not going to fail the next.

A few days after that I had a 12V 4D house battery battery go bad and reach a temperature of 176 degrees on charge before I spotted it during a walk around. I had thought that the inverter might be able to detect such an event. Apparent not. I checked the inverter temp sense lead and it was hooked up. To the battery next to the one which failed.

 

 

Edited August 12, 2021 by Gary Cole
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[FishAR]

I thought there were 2 regulators at the propane tank. Maybe I'm thinking about some other unit I've had before.

[vito.a]

Good thing you found the bad regulator.  

I've stopped using 4D and 8D batteries.  They just do not last.  

For the house I'm using 6V GC2 golf cart batteries.  Four in series parallel.  They last much longer and withstand the discharge/charge cycle better.  

For the engine start chassis battery I use two high output Group 31 batteries in parallel.  

[willbo777]

Gary, the main regulator on the tank reduces the pressure of the LP into the coach, if it fails it is designed to stop all flow of propane from the tank.  If you add a secondary regulator to a line that is already regulated it won't work.  Example, I use a fire pit that uses gas from the LP tank on the coach after the regulator, I had to remove the fire pit's regulator to get it to work, same for my Weber grill, had to remove its regulator as well.  And just in my personal experience my 4D batteries have been good for 6 1/2 years.

[Mel S - '96 Safari]

18 hours ago, FishAR said:

I thought there were 2 regulators at the propane tank. Maybe I'm thinking about some other unit I've had before.

FishAR

Most use a single 2 stage regulator: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rvupgradestore.com%2F2-Stage-Propane-Regulator-Horizontal-p%2F06-0381.htm&psig=AOvVaw1JH_WbfaxEsKNszP-8ShZN&ust=1628960703237000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCNjojNS9rvICFQAAAAAdAAAAABAFs