Gas regulator problem

[HTF]

Yesterday I went to do some work ar the place where I park my van. Took a break and opened the gas valve to make a coffee. To my surprise, the stove didn't light up and I thought that the 6kg gas cylinder was empty. It's been in use for quite a while now and I didn't strange it's end. It's only used for the stove and oven as the fridge is compressor type. Changed to the new cylinder and still no go. Checked out the gas filter and found that it was pressurised and ok. Disconnected the output copper pipe fitting and no flow. My regulator is a GOK 30mbar 1,2 kg/h that I installed now and it hasn't even emptied the used 6kg butane cylinder that came from the other campervan.

Has anyone had this issue? I've ordered a new one but this one is only little over 3 years old.

 

[St3v3]

Is it a bulkhead one? If so, make sure it's mounted above the bottle outlet.

 

[HTF]

Is it a bulkhead one? If so, make sure it's mounted above the bottle outlet.

It is. The top of the cylinder is at the green line.

 

[edina]

You have probably checked it, but has it got a fast flow cutout button that needs resetting?

 

[HTF]

You have probably checked it, but has it got a fast flow cutout button that needs resetting?

No button although the "Internet helpers" mention that the little yellow dimple in the photo as the resetting button, it's not. It's a over pressure discharge port.

 

[nabsim]

Stupid question, have you checked the pigtail from the bottle to the ((filter?) regulator? Many moons ago I had a rubber pipe breaking down inside that acted as a non return valve cutting off flow

 

[HTF]

Stupid question, have you checked the pigtail from the bottle to the ((filter?) regulator? Many moons ago I had a rubber pipe breaking down inside that acted as a non return valve cutting off flow

The black device under the regulator is a filter and and as safety measure, you have to push a little tab on the side and press the cap to turn and open the filter. When the gas is closed, it's easy to do but when open, you need to press hard and twist. The gas trapped inside will then rush out. That's why I know that everything is okay up to the regulator input. I've disconnected the output and there is no flow

 

[HTF]

Just received a new one. Hope this one lasts longer

 

[Geek]

Gunge* in the gas condenses in the high pressure section of pipe. If the pipe runs downhill into the regulator, it eventually clogs it up.

If the pipe runs uphill into the regulator, the gunge trickles back into the tank and no harm is done.

This wasn't a problem when regulators were screwed on top of the bottle, but now they're bulkhead mounted, many gas lockers are too low to have the regulator higher than the bottle.

Many installers don't understand the issue, so they don't even try to route the high pressure hose the right way.

You may be able to reposition your regulator up to above the bottles. If not, a new regulator will only be a temporary fix.

*I understand that the gunge is from an additive put in the gas to give it a smell.

 

[HTF]

Gunge* in the gas condenses in the high pressure section of pipe. If the pipe runs downhill into the regulator, it eventually clogs it up.

If the pipe runs uphill into the regulator, the gunge trickles back into the tank and no harm is done.

This wasn't a problem when regulators were screwed on top of the bottle, but now they're bulkhead mounted, many gas lockers are too low to have the regulator higher than the bottle.

Many installers don't understand the issue, so they don't even try to route the high pressure hose the right way.

You may be able to reposition your regulator up to above the bottles. If not, a new regulator will only be a temporary fix.

*I understand that the gunge is from an additive put in the gas to give it a smell.

If you you look at the picture in post#3 you will see that I followed the rules. The regulator is pointing up, well above the top of the bottle (>10 cm) and has a filter to protect from solids. The hose is meant for gas and has crimped terminals, the bottle is made of fiberglass with a capacity of 6 kg of butane and was moved (+/- 3 years ago) from the other camper I sold with some 5 kg of gas.When the stove refused to light, my initial thought was that it was finally ended and moved to the new one. When that one didn't work, that's when I did all the checks and there's no flow on the output. I've used several hundred kg of butane and propane on other regulators and never had a problem. This one has seen less than 6 kg I'll install the new regulator later on today as we intend to say "goodbye" to the summer with a nice 3 day 30ºC weekend at the Carvalhal beach

 

[Geek]

Funny that: I looked at the oicture and saw the opposite.

Yes, the regulator has its input pipe going up, but it is lower than the output of the bottles so gunge can trickle out of the bottles and fill the hose.
If less attention had been taken on making it look really neat and more attention applied to making the regulator as high as possible, it might have been possible to have the hose rise continuously, so any condensation could trickle back.
The filters are a waste of money. Yes, they protect the regulator fron gunge, but they block with gunge instead. So that gas still stops.
Fit the regulator in the right place and the problem goes away forever. A new filter or new regulator will just make the problem go away for a while, until the gunge builds up again.

 

[HTF]

Funny that: I looked at the oicture and saw the opposite.

Yes, the regulator has its input pipe going up, but it is lower than the output of the bottles so gunge can trickle out of the bottles and fill the hose.
If less attention had been taken on making it look really neat and more attention applied to making the regulator as high as possible, it might have been possible to have the hose rise continuously, so any condensation could trickle back.
The filters are a waste of money. Yes, they protect the regulator fron gunge, but they block with gunge instead. So that gas still stops.
Fit the regulator in the right place and the problem goes away forever. A new filter or new regulator will just make the problem go away for a while, until the gunge builds up again.

what would be the right place? There is no gunk anywhere, there is pressure at the input of the regulator and there is no pressure at the output. When I fit the new one later on today, I will see if the problem is solved.

 

[Geek]

The right place would be fitted to the top of the gas locker, with the hoses having a constant rise from the bottles. No dips.
If the regulator is gummed up with the gunk, you get pressure in the input and none on the output. Replace it with a regulator that isn't gummed with gunk and it will work until the gunk builds up again. Whether that's weeks or years later depends on several factors. But it will happen in time unless the hose is a constant rise.

 

[nabsim]

If the new regulator solves it I would say the previous one was faulty. I don't have a filter and I probably have less raise to my regulator from the bottle if the bit I can see is the shield. My regulator is still the 2007 item although I have probably jinxed it now lol

 

[HTF]

Just replaced the regulator and it's working fine. The faulty one has a very fine mesh at the input that was clean

 

[Okta]

Perhaps it doesn’t like being upside down.

 

[HTF]

Perhaps it doesn’t like being upside down.

It's not upside down. Gas goes in the under side and comes out the top.