What if you are on a road trip with your friends or family and you came to know that your RV propane regulator is not working properly? What would you do then? At that moment, you were stuck badly. To avoid this mistake, you should check the propane regulator and tank once a month or before traveling. Leaving it unchecked can cause a disaster.
The most important is the propane tank in your RV. Propane tanks in your RV can serve as stoves, ovens, refrigerators, and other appliances.
Do you know what you should consider while checking your propane regulator? If not, Don’t worry.
Then we are here to guide you about How to Tell If Propane Regulator Is Bad. So don’t go anywhere. Please read the post with great attention; it’s a matter of your safety.
10 Signs That Your Propane Regulator Needs Replacing
There are numerous signs to diagnose that the RV propane regulator needs to be changed. A few of them are as follow:
1. Yellow Flames
Check the flame color to indicate it’s working fine or not. All appliances that are fueled with propane should have a strong blue flame. So, if the flame color is yellow or orange, you need to change the propane regulator before it causes any trouble.
It also signifies the pressure in the propane tank. If the flame color is yellow, it means there’s no pressure in the LP gas system. If there’s a blue flame with noise, the LP gas system pressure is high.
Check the propane system; there may be an adjustment issue, but it needs replacing if there’s any leak.
2. Sooty Residue
Are you facing the dark spots around your pots? The second symptom tells your propane system is not working well. Propane gas is clean; it doesn’t leave any dark soots.
Suppose you notice any dark spots around the water heater or in your RV kitchen by a burner. There is a problem with your propane regulator. Try to fix it by adjusting the flame, but if it stills residing soots, you have a bad propane regulator.
3. Popping Sounds
While using the burner, did you notice any popping sound? If yes, then this is the time you need to change your RV propane regulator. A damaged Burner may be the reason, and you need to examine your burner and check it properly if there’s any damage.
Or If the burner is old, there must be dirt inside it. It would help if you cleaned your burner properly. But if still, you hear any popping noise, then change your propane regulator.
4. No Propane Flow
Have you ever noticed there’s a hidden safety feature in the propane regulator?
Seems unbelievable? Right!!
Whenever the propane regulator detects high pressure, its safety feature automatically turns on. Because of its safety feature, the flow of propane stops.
So if you ever face the situation that the burner does not light up because of flame blockage. Then all you’ve to do is shut off the propane tank and all the appliances connected to it.
After a few minutes, reset the tank, but replacing the regulator would be better if the problem is not solved.
5. Faulty Vents and Leaking:
Another safety feature of the propane regulator is known as the “Vent.” When the propane tank is overfilled, it helps the regulator to breathe properly while being used. Due to this, you can smell propane gas coming out of the tank.
The leakage of the propane regulator can cause damage if there’s a propane smell in the kitchen; that may be because of leakage. To diagnose leakage issue:
Take a small amount of dishwashing soap and mix in water. Now apply this soap mixture over the regulator. If there is leakage, bubbles will start popping out. Replace the propane regulator to save yourself from trouble.
6. Automatic Changeover is Malfunctioning:
Appliances that consume propane gas are usually connected with dual propane tanks. When one tank goes empty, the regulator automatically switches the tank.
Ever your tank shows a red indicator with a yellow flame? If yes, that is the sign of having no gas. It is the time when the regulator switches tank; it doesn’t, then it needs to be replaced.
7. It’s Been Frozen
Have you ever noticed frost around the regulator? Propane regulators may get frozen in the cold season. That’s not a big deal; it is pretty easy to fix.
When the frost melts, the water in lines may cause damage inside the regulator. It would be best if you replaced the regulator before it went wrong.
8. It’s Been Dunked in Water
In case your RV propane regulator is dunked in water. Drying water is not going to fix this. It goes inside and mixes with a chemical which may cause a breakdown. Even you may notice rusting due to this. It will slow down the working of the regulator and reduce the pressure. Changing the propane regulator is the only solution to get out of this.
9. It Smells of Propane
Do you ever feel a propane smell while using a burner or other appliance connected with a propane regulator? It is a sign that the safety feature of your propane regulator fails.
Diaphragms are used in regulators to control the pressure or gas flow. The brokerage of the diaphragm becomes the reason for gas leakage. There’s no way back you have to replace your propane regulator.
10. Your Regulator is over a Decade Old
Are you still using the old regulator? It is time to replace your RV propane regulator. These regulators don’t last forever. Regulators are made up of a life span of 10 years. Say bye to your old propane regulator and get the new one as soon as possible.
See Also: Best RV Propane Heaters 2022 to Keep You Snug and Warm
Conclusion
A bad regulator can disturb the working system of all appliances. It may cause big damage.
Keep all the signs in your mind and notice any mentioned signs. Please don’t wait so long. Change your propane regulator as soon as possible before it goes too wrong.
If you are aware of more signs, tell if the propane regulator is bad. Let us know in the comment section.
