Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

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Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

July 30, 2017, 04:24:09 pm

My water heater quit two days ago. I tried restarting it but no go. I turned on the four burner propane stove and it fired right off.
I filled up 44 gallons this spring and haven't used hardly any of it. Gauge on the dash and the tank still read 3/4+
I "cracked" open the propane line before the carb on the water heater...no gas came out.
So this leads me to believe I have a bad regulator by the propane tank.
NOW!! There are two (2) regulators after the tank shutoff. First one on the main line is a large one that goes? Second one on the main line is much smaller and one I replaced about 3 or 4 years ago. So, anyone have an idea which regulator supplies the water heater?
There is no way I can shut off the regulators individually so I could tell which does what.
HELP!! 1989 GV ORED 36'

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #1 – July 30, 2017, 05:57:25 pm

Wouldn't the stove run off the house regulator so wouldn't that rule out the regulator.

Roland

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #2 – July 30, 2017, 07:06:45 pm

Yes, there is only one "house" regulator on any coach I have ever worked on and it supplies all the propane house systems: water heater, stove, furnaces.

The other regulator is for the propane generator.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #3 – July 30, 2017, 07:17:21 pm

If the stove runs then the water heater would also have propane going to it. The only safe way to test for propane to the water heater would be by using a manometer and that should show 11 inches of water column.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #4 – July 30, 2017, 07:27:01 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 30, 2017, 07:06:45 pm

Yes, there is only one "house" regulator on any coach I have ever worked on and it supplies all the propane house systems: water heater, stove, furnaces.

Ditto X2, Our small regulator runs all of the above first comment. We have no regulator in the fuel/propane bay for the gen set, it was modified to "high pressure vapor" and runs well.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #5 – July 30, 2017, 08:17:27 pm

It is/was the "house" regulator that wasn't letting propane thru. I took the pipes off the house regulator and then turned on the propane for a few seconds. Nothing came out. NOTHING!
So then I hooked up my air hose so it was barely pushing air and then I disconnected the tubing right before the "carb" on the water heater. I could hear the air coming thru.
So, small house regulator is bad. The propane generator regulator is 28 years old. Replace it also, as long as I have it off?

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #6 – July 30, 2017, 08:29:38 pm

If that regulator is bad why did the stove work with it?

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #7 – July 30, 2017, 08:49:29 pm

When replacing the house regulator be sure to get the correct one-- the vent (small screened area) MUST point down. So, if the regulator is installed vertically, the vent is on the long axis of the regulator. If installed horizontal, the vent is perpendicular to the long axis of the regulator.

Price is the same and part numbers very similar, but they are NOT interchangeable! Many RV parts guys have NO IDEA and are just as likely to sell you the wrong one.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #8 – July 30, 2017, 09:12:36 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – July 30, 2017, 04:24:09 pm

My water heater quit two days ago. I tried restarting it but no go. I turned on the four burner propane stove and it fired right off.

X2 with craneman and Roland.....how could the four burner propane stove work if the problem is the regulator?

Ralph
96 U270

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #9 – July 30, 2017, 09:20:43 pm

Just for info ---- I replaced both regulators in our 91 GV and it was the smaller of the two that supplies the gen set, and that is the only thing that it does supply. The house runs from the larger of the two. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #10 – July 31, 2017, 09:05:46 am

There should only be 1 regulator the other should be the gas shutoff solonoid that is connected to the inside propane sniffer with the blinking light on it. Post a picture if what exactally you have.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #11 – July 31, 2017, 09:47:43 am

Sorry Stump.
I have two regulators, one large and one small one. In line. Vents down. Mounted vertically. Worked for four years until now.
No solenoid shutoff. I removed it and put in 6" pipe nipple when I replaced the 27 year old "sniffer" after I found out new "sniffers" do not have connection for solenoid shutoff. As I understood it the law was changed and "sniffer" control of a shutoff was removed. The propane sensors now have builtin "timing out" feature. After five(?) years they signal they are quitting.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #12 – August 01, 2017, 03:10:42 am

I have the same setup and need to replace the regulator that goes to my stove. Getting uneven yellow flames. Should I replace large, small, or both?

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #13 – August 01, 2017, 06:37:34 am

You should see a copper line that heads in the direction of your bedroom furnace. At least there is one on my coach. It goes up toward the coach floor at the end of the propane compartment--towards the rear of the coach. Follow that piping back to the regulator. That regulator should be the one that controls the gas to all house propane user equipment except the generator.
I intend to replace both regulators. After all, one or both are 28+ years old and do have a rubber component (so I've been told) that deteriorates.

Also, do NOT use yellow gas tape on the connections. Use the gas applier "stick" that others here have mentioned.
Four years ago the smaller regulator cost me $30.90 plus tax at my RV dealer. (King's Campers)

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #14 – August 01, 2017, 06:46:33 am

I was just picturing my propane compartment setup and now I am wondering. On the right/forward end of the compartment are two hoses that could be interchanged on the hard steel piping. I wonder if they have been inadvertently swapped at some time awhile back (and no names please!! Dumbass will suffice)
Nothing is marked and both hoses go up together and disappear into the interior wall of the compartment.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #15 – August 01, 2017, 06:57:06 pm

If they both come off the same supply manifold point it wouldnt matter

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #16 – August 01, 2017, 07:01:50 pm

Quote from: stump – August 01, 2017, 06:57:06 pm

If they both come off the same supply manifold point it wouldnt matter

YES, it could matter. The regulators for house systems and LP generator are different.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #17 – August 01, 2017, 07:39:32 pm

Ill rephrase it, If they both are on the 11wc side of the regulator it wouldnt matter..

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #18 – August 02, 2017, 10:44:38 am

Yes, some confusion here. In Nitehawk's coach there are TWO regulators, one for all house systems, one for the LP generator.

Certainly, any lines on the "out" side of a regulator will have the same pressure (unless there is a restriction or other problem).

But, the generator regulator can have entirely different pressure than the house regulator. It really depends on how Onan and Foretravel set up the conversion from high pressure vapor (or liquid on many Onan LP generators) to the carburetor.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #19 – August 02, 2017, 03:13:20 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 02, 2017, 10:44:38 am

Yes, some confusion here. In Nitehawk's coach there are TWO regulators, one for all house systems, one for the LP generator.

Certainly, any lines on the "out" side of a regulator will have the same pressure (unless there is a restriction or other problem).

But, the generator regulator can have entirely different pressure than the house regulator. It really depends on how Onan and Foretravel set up the conversion from high pressure vapor (or liquid on many Onan LP generators) to the carburetor.

Now I am confused. Do you mean "inlet" to the regulators as the tank would have the same pressure at any ports. Can't see how two different kinds of regulators feeding a generator and house would be the same.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #20 – August 02, 2017, 03:21:30 pm

Difference between propane liquid and propane vapour | Bell-Gaz

Some tanks have 2 regulators, one for liquid from bottom of tank and vapor from top.
Generally liquid for generator and vapor for everything else.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #21 – August 02, 2017, 05:55:00 pm

BOTH of my regulators are on the same line and only inches apart. The larger regulator (in size) is first and then the smaller regulator.
From what I can trace/surmise, the smaller regulator goes both front & rear with pipes while the large regulator only goes forward then up & thru the tank back wall.

Re: Which propane regulator supplies the water heater?

Reply #22 – August 02, 2017, 08:47:39 pm

My large reg appears to feed the genset only. The small reg on mine is to the appliances with the solenoid valve from the propane control panel.

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