Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: jor on April 23, 2014, 06:05:41 pm

Title: Propane Regulator
Post by: jor on April 23, 2014, 06:05:41 pm
Thought I'd replace the original propane regulator. It's a Marshall 290. I see a Camco replacement and a Marshall with a similar number (MARSHAL MEGR-291 290). Anyone replace it? What did you buy? Thanks.
jor
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: wolfe10 on April 23, 2014, 06:17:36 pm
John,

Whatever brand you go with, make sure the vent is along the long axis of the regulator/regulator meant for vertical not horizontal installation.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on April 23, 2014, 06:55:02 pm
Ours was a single stage Marshall that had a bit of a smell and bubbles when I soaped the vent. I replaced it with a two stage Marshall for less than $20. Had to change the angle a little on the tank fitting and I made a support for it as it was about an inch and a half longer than the OEM.

Looks like you already have a support bracket.

Pierce
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: nitehawk on April 23, 2014, 07:16:08 pm
When we replaced our regulator the propane dealer told me to turn on the tank slowly so I didn't "shock" the regulator innards. He said the sudden high pressure could cause the regulator to fail. Right or wrong I now turn on the tank slowly.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: John S on April 23, 2014, 09:44:08 pm
I filled my propane tank and then the guy turned it on fast and the regulator blew out.  SO I think the guy might be right.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Barry & Cindy on April 23, 2014, 10:22:05 pm
Propane regulator vent always should point down. So horizontal & vertical mounted regulators need to be different types to be sure their vent points down.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Barry & Cindy on April 24, 2014, 09:22:53 am
Also only buy a two stage propane regulator. Cost little more and works much better.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: wolfe10 on April 24, 2014, 09:31:25 am
Barry is correct on both counts:  Two stage and vent (screen) MUST point down.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Dave Cobb on April 24, 2014, 10:17:01 am
When we replaced our regulator the propane dealer told me to turn on the tank slowly so I didn't "shock" the regulator innards. He said the sudden high pressure could cause the regulator to fail. Right or wrong I now turn on the tank slowly.

Have experienced the same thing on the small BBQ bottles.  I found a friend watching the slow low flame on the patio warming his chicken.  He said his old bottle was "low", and had changed bottles, but the new one was "low" or bad as well.  We turned off the bottle, flame died out, and we slowly opened the bottle, and got a full flame as one would expect.  The next day a new Foretravel owner called, with poor stove flames, had him do the same, and he was good again.  In his case the tank had just been filled and the service guy spun open the supply valve fast.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: jor on April 24, 2014, 10:53:36 am
Thanks to all. I learned something on the too-fast-turn-on.
jor
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: J. D. Stevens on April 24, 2014, 03:30:57 pm
I've had success using the "slow turn on" with a gasoline pump a few times.

The issue with a propane tank may be related to safety valves in the tank as well as regulator issues. I've had a similar experience with a DOT bottle attached to a weed burner (flame thrower for killing vegetation or starting fires) with no regulator.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Tim Fiedler on April 24, 2014, 04:04:32 pm
Weber Q series grills notorious for having this problem if you turn on gas too fast, especially if using a standard 20lb tank