Regulators

[Rozeboom]

Hello I have a 2015 3021rl.
What is purpose of second regulator on right propane tank not the switch over side . Mine leaks and need replacing

[Daryles]

I believe each tank has its own regulator which is a good thing for redundancy. Many stories of failed regulators and switching full propane to the other side to the good regulator to get the furnace or water heater running again.

[twindman]

The off side regulator reduces high pressure to 30 psi or so. Then the driver side dual regulator that switches to the other side when first side goes empty, reduces the pressure even more - 7 psi. My numbers may be way off, but that is the idea.

The reason for the off side to drop pressure is so the crossover pipe doesn't have a very high pressure in it - I think incase of an accident. More knowledgeable people should correct me or clarify, but in general I think this is how it all works.

[AZ Traveler]

Tom's description is correct.

[Rozeboom]

I know each tank does not have it's own regulator as both tanks use regulator next to crossover switch

[jcurtis934]

The auto changeover device performs a reduction of tank pressure down to a safe level of 11 inches of water column for both tanks...which is less than 1 psi...0.5 exactly.

[DQDick]

It's a good idea to replace it. In the RV industry and even the folks who regulate it, the thought is "if we can get away without it all the better".

[Rozeboom]

I know it needs replacing but do I need it and what kind

[jimcol]

I know all the arguments both pro and con and am not looking for debate or discussion. I handled the bad regulator opposite side from switch over regulator by removing it. That was about 10 years ago and no adverse effects yet.

[AZ Traveler]

Here is more info. https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=73238

[twindman]

Oh, by the way. When I first saw the title - 'Regulators', I thought it was about the vigilantes from the 1800's!! LOL

[Clays390]

Propane in your cylinders is in equilibrium I.e. Liquid and gas based on temp and pressure. Raise the temp or lower the pressure the liquid boils. Do the opposite and the gas condenses. Without the 30# regulator at low temperatures the gas in the crossover line could condense back to liquid. Regulators are designed to work on gas, not liquid. That is why the regulator is required.

[jcurryii]

Check this out at Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F38XMN4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Replaced mine last January

[BB_TX]

From an older post.


"The subject of the red regulator valve failure has come up often in the past. Some have replaced them. Some have eliminated them. Many have questioned the purpose. Well, I found out. Someone on another forum posted a requirement by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) relating to the subject. And since I was once a member on two different NFPA committees I am still able to access all their standards and able to verify it. But here is what the NFPA 1192 Standard on Recreational Vehicles says:

"5.3.11.2 Propane system pressure shall be regulated to a pressure of 30 psi (207 kpa) or less within 60 in. (1.5m) of the container outlet."

So it appears that if the distance from the street side tank to the dual stage change over regulator on the opposite side is greater than 60 inches, that red regulator is required. Since all the trailers are much wider than 60", I would assume it would apply to all that have the two tanks installed on opposite sides of the trailer with the dual stage change over valve on one side. Note that propane tank pressure can be over 200 psi, so that could be over 200 psi across the piping from one side to the other without the red regulator."

[mhs4771]

Question about that standard: Was it created before the new version of tanks came on the market?? With the new tanks you can open the valve and the flow will shut off due to the internal design of the new tanks, thus the issue of opening the valve to quickly into a line without Propane already in the line. The sudden rush shuts it down.

[BB_TX]

Although the standard does not state a reason for that regulator, the following is the reason often put forth.

Under tank pressure propane is a liquid. Without the regulator the crossover pipe pressure would be the same as tank pressure. And that could cause propane in the crossover pipe to condense back to a liquid when there was no flow. And that leads to the possibility of liquid propane being admitted to the auto switch over regulator.

True? Seems a very valid argument. But I haven’t found anything to prove or disprove that statement.

[mhs4771]

I haven't read anything recently, but if you go back a few years there was a similar discussion about the Red Regulator and it's high failure rate, and many just eliminated it entirely.
Mine sprung a leak while up in Thompson, Manitoba with no replacement to be found. Checked the local hardware stores and found a fitting that would replace the regulator and been working fine since. Plus those new rubber Pig Tails off the tanks have restrictors built into them to reduce the flow, just ask anyone who has had to replace one because their stove burners would work, but wouldn't allow sufficient flow to run the furnace.

[DebNJim B]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

From an older post.


"The subject of the red regulator valve failure has come up often in the past. Some have replaced them. Some have eliminated them. Many have questioned the purpose. Well, I found out. Someone on another forum posted a requirement by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) relating to the subject. And since I was once a member on two different NFPA committees I am still able to access all their standards and able to verify it. But here is what the NFPA 1192 Standard on Recreational Vehicles says:

"5.3.11.2 Propane system pressure shall be regulated to a pressure of 30 psi (207 kpa) or less within 60 in. (1.5m) of the container outlet."

So it appears that if the distance from the street side tank to the dual stage change over regulator on the opposite side is greater than 60 inches, that red regulator is required. Since all the trailers are much wider than 60", I would assume it would apply to all that have the two tanks installed on opposite sides of the trailer with the dual stage change over valve on one side. Note that propane tank pressure can be over 200 psi, so that could be over 200 psi across the piping from one side to the other without the red regulator."

This is exactly what my understanding of it is from what I have read up on it. Any propane that has to travel more than 60" must be regulated down to no more than 30psi to assure it remains in a gaseous state and does not condense to liquid.