Gas not going to appliances

[bassknuckles]

I'm not getting gas to any of the appliances.  I have a 96 Coleman PU.  I believe I have a Marshall Gas Control 254 Changeover Regulator.  I defenetely have gas in the propane cylinders.  I cleaned the vent and turned on the stove for several minutes to get any air out of the lines.  Is there anything else to check before I buy a new regulator?  I worked well all last year.

[flyfisherman]

I'm not getting gas to any of the appliances.  I have a 96 Coleman PU.  I believe I have a Marshall Gas Control 254 Changeover Regulator.  I defenetely have gas in the propane cylinders.  I cleaned the vent and turned on the stove for several minutes to get any air out of the lines.  Is there anything else to check before I buy a new regulator?  I worked well all last year.

Over the years being posted here on PUT, and once with my own experience, the connecting hose from the regulator to the tank, if you should leave the connection un-done when the camper is not in use ... like maybe while parked in your backyard or such, some critters like little spiders or dirt dobbers, are notorious for crawling into the connector's port and sitting-up shop, building a little nest.  You might try seeing if there's an obstruction before you do anything drastic like buying a new (un-needed) regulator! (LOL)
If there's no obstruction, then you might want to consider another step:

My Starcraft owner's manual says for me to have the regulator checked periodically to ensure it's operation is O.K. - it says most L/P gas suppliers have the equipment to check it out and make sure there is eleven (11) inches of water column pressure coming out the back side.  Now, my L/P dealer has done this little deed for me a couple of times (at least) with no charge ... of course, I'm a regular customer. Now, I have to tow the camper down to the dealer's place, with an appointment already made, but he does the checking in about two minutes with his specialty gauge.  You might want to consider these two options before you buy the new regulator.


Fly

[AustinBoston]

I agree with fly; sometimes the problem is a clogged line, and a hose is cheaper than a regulator, but a test is cheaper than either.

Start with the cheapest part (you already did that by making sure you had propane) and work from there.

Austin

[flyfisherman]

Ya know ... I got to thinking about another incident, too.  A few years back the L/P industry went over to a new O.P.D. valve (overflow protection device), which meant that after a date if you did not have the newer valve you have a very difficult time finding anyone who would indeed re-fill your tank. I remember having one of these newer tanks, sporting the new valve, and that bugger would stick closed on me every now and again. What I finally ended up doing was exchanging the tank at Lowe's Bldg Supply and that problem was solved (tank was used for the outside grill).  But a couple of times that it did stick, I took a med sized box end wrench and tapped all around the neck of the tank connector as I was tightning and loosening the connection. Not very orthodox I agree, but it did manage to get the propane flowing. But it was like I had to do this every other time and so I've come to believe (right or wrong), that if there is a sticking valve, it'll do it again.  You might consider swapping out the tank at one of those exchange places.

Just another thought ... coming to you from sunny s.e. North Carolina, where we expect the cold north wind to be upon us this very night!



Fly

[rccs]

Also with the new valves if you open the valve to fast it will shut off the flow of gas. This is probably a dumb question, but you did open the valve didn't you?

[bassknuckles]

Thanks.