Got a weird propane issue ... I think.

[Diggin It]

Got a couple of neighbors to help me move my propane tank.. Long story, see previous threads.


Everything went fine. No issues during the move. Started hooking things back up, had to remake some of the flare connections. Leak tested everything. All good after some re-tightening.

Stove top works, all four burners light. Oven and furnace will not fire. They try to cycle normally. Glow coils come on, but not the main burner jets. I'm suspecting a pressure issue, but why? Everything along that line is re-using what was already there. Regulators on the tank and the house wall are the same ones that have been there for years.

The only thing different is that the system is now using the 3/4" poly line I buried a few months back. It's 1/2 copper from the tank to that end of the buried line, 3/4 poly, then back to 1/2 off a tee connection that splits out to the generator (not yet in service). The total run from the tank to the regulator on the side of the house is about 95' or so. That is considerably less than the distance from where the tank was at the old location.

I need the 3/4" line to feed the generator, but could that be enough difference that the pressure needs to be adjusted at the tank end?

Tank >> regulator >> 1/2" copper >> 3/4" poly >> Tee >> 1/2" copper >> regulator >> house.

The only other difference is that the tank is now sitting about 20' higher out in front of the house instead of down a slope behind the house.

 

[3Ts]

The only thing different is that the system is now using the 3/4" poly line I buried a few months back.

My first suspicion is that there is either water or dirt that was in the line that has now worked it's way to your appliances.

I'd get a pressure gauge (manometer?) that reads the gas pressure and check at each regulator. BTW, what pressure is in your line from the tank to the house? It is not clear as to whether the generator was added at the time of the tank move. If so, the pressure is likely the problem.

My system is: Tank > regulator > 3/4" line @ 2psi in line to next set of regulators to step down to 11" WC > Tee > Regulator > 1-1/4" black pipe to generator. Note: the 1-1/4" pipe acts as an accumulator to help with the start up of the generator.

 

[Walt44]

Could the poly line be kinked due to being buried? I would run a piece of copper above grade to see if the problem continues.

 

[Diggin It]

I don't know what the pressure is. Or was. I'll have the driver check that when they deliver next. I'll be calling for that tomorrow.

The poly line is a straight run, not kinked and has been sealed and closed off since install. No chance for debris to enter over time. I've tested that line twice and both time it held 15 pounds for over 48 hours.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Did you bleed the lines? Gas might not have made it to the appliances that are not working. I would just crack open the fitting at the appliance and let the air out until I smelled the LP. Make sure EVERYTHING is turned off before doing so.... if you get the smell right away... well then it would seem to be a pressure issue. Stoves don't require much pressure at all, furnaces do...

 

[Diggin It]

Can't be an air/purge issue. All four burners on top of the stove work, but the oven in the same stove does not. And for the same reason, I don't see it as a debris or contamination problem.

I have to believe it's pressure, either too much or too little causing whatever limit/pressure sensing switches not to allow the gas valve(s) to open. But that's just a completely uneducated guess. I don't have a meter or the know how to check pressure, but I'm thinking about trying to adjust the regulator a 1/4 turn or so either way just to see what happens. Gas truck probably won't be here until middle of next week sometime for the driver to check it.

 

[Diggin It]

In some reading, I see that the manufacturer recommends replacing regulators every 20 years. Necessary, or encouraging sales?

Anyways, I know these have all (One First Stage and three Second Stages) been here at least 30 years. Figured I'd stop by while in town and pick one up. Nope. NOBODY carries them in stock. At least not at sensible prices. One place I used to buy from has stopped selling to the public ... wholesale/commercial only. But they quoted a ball park of over $100. LP supplier had one with two 1/2" ports, but they wanted $80 or so. I wanted two 3/4" ports.

Got home empty handed and hit the web. Found Emerson - Fishers in both configurations, 1/2" ports and 3/4" ports as well as a few in combinations. All priced in the $50 range. Decided to go ahead and replace the old one, ordered what I needed as well as a digital Manometer for $40

Stuff should be here by Wednesday and I'll switch out the 1/2" one I think I'm having trouble with and install the 3/4" one for the generator.

 

[3Ts]

I hope you ordered the right pressure range. There is an inlet and outlet pressure they are rated for. I have a pressure regulator on my tank for "high" pressure that feeds the house regulator that drops it down to the 11" water column.

FWIW - the $80 isn't that far off. I paid $60 each 3 years ago for 3 regulators. There is a 6 year warranty on the regulators the LP company sold me. One has already failed and been replaced, but I expect them to last a long time.

 

[Diggin It]

Yeah, I got the Second Stage with settings in PSI for inlet and WC for outlet. Supposed to be factory set at 10-11

 

[gasman1075]

I am a long time gasman ( over 42 years ) if you need help and are not getting it locally you can call me in the office 1-518-733-9159 I am in upstate NY.