Replies

1. 
   bigfootnampa | Dec 02, 2004 10:30am | #1

   Your regulator may be freezing up.  Remember that as the propane decompresses going through the regulator it acts as a refrigerant.  Try heating the regulator during the problem phase and see if that is the problem.  Also think about moisture in the lines as another possibility.

1. 
   Sphere | Dec 04, 2004 03:44am | #6

   Moisture in the line is freezing ,crystalizing..disconnect it and blow it out. Esp. a a low spot bend. 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

    

    

2. 
   DaveRicheson | Dec 02, 2004 01:55pm | #2

   I addition to the moisture, look at the vents on the regulator(s).  You may find that some insect has built a home there over the summer. Causes enough restriction to be a problem durring cold weather/high floe periods. The vent, I think, provides the ambient pressure side of the regulator operation. It has to be open completely, or the the regulator doesn't see real ambient pressure durring high flow periods. It reduces the flow to match the pressure and drops below the low limit pressure setting and the gas shuts off.

    

   Dave

3. 
   semisavant | Dec 03, 2004 10:53pm | #3

   Thanks for responses! I checked the regulator screen and it appears unobstructed. How does one heat a regulator?

   Steve

1. 
   joeh | Dec 03, 2004 11:18pm | #4

   A hair drier to see if it solves the problem, a drop light with a small wattage bulb to keep it warm at night.

   Joe H

4. 
   MrBill | Dec 04, 2004 03:00am | #5

   Steve,

    I suggest that you call your gas supplier and have them come out and look at your tank. We had propane at the last building my business was in and we never had the problem you describe. The temperature dropped to those ranges regularly in the winter. Gas is not all that dangerous if you respect it, but I would not even dream of running a hair dryer or a light bulb near it without knowing what the problem is. The gas supplier will more than likely check it for no charge. They do not want or need dangerous setups.

   Be safe,

   Bill Koustenis

   Advanced Automotive Machine

   Waldorf Md

5. 
   DanH | Dec 04, 2004 04:32am | #7

   Yeah, you got moisture in there or something. When we first moved in here 28 years ago we couldn't get NG hookup, so had propane for a year. That year temps dipped to 30 below, but we never had a problem with the furnace.

6. 
   semisavant | Dec 09, 2004 10:12am | #8

   Thanks for all your input. I ended up shedding some incandesent light on the regulator and got resolution. No problems for a week....
   Steve

1. 
   IMERC | Dec 09, 2004 05:23pm | #9

   are you using only just one regulator at the tank with a direct hook up to the house or dual regulators??? One at/on the tank that's feeding to a regulator mounted in/at the line at the POE on the house....

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!!   What a Ride!

1. 
   semisavant | Dec 09, 2004 07:01pm | #10

   One regulator next to the tank.Steve

1. 
   IMERC | Dec 09, 2004 07:37pm | #11

   switch to a 2 regulator system...

   high pressure at the tank...

   low pressure control at the house...

   good to go at minus 40 below....

   and then some....

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!!   What a Ride!

1. 
   semisavant | Jan 16, 2005 03:03am | #12

   For what it's worth....
   Started having problems with the propane again. I d/c the lines and blew compressed air throughout and everything seems to be (finally) resolved!
   Steve

   Edited 1/15/2005 7:03 pm ET by semi-savant