How to take propane regulator off to test for leaks

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Topic: How to take propane regulator off to test for leaks (Read 175 times) previous topic - next topic

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How to take propane regulator off to test for leaks

December 26, 2018, 11:17:40 pm

Like others have run into, we are getting a faint but definitely there propane smell when we open the bin our removable propane tank is in.
I painted it with leak detection liquid this afternoon and nothing obvious showed.
I read posts where people took the cover off the propane regulator to paint more liquid on that.

How do you take the covers off? I didn't pull out the tank to get a good look at the regulator, but there was nothing obvious to me. I didn't see anything in the forums, just that it could be done. The attached pictures are from an angle as the regulator is kind of behind the tank.

Thanks for guidance. I plan to go out and paint the heck out of things with the liquid leak detector fluid tomorrow, taking the tank out but leaving it attached for the leak test.

Jane

PS the darker color is the wet from the liquid as I tried to get leak detection fluid on the regulator.

Re: How to take propane regulator off to test for leaks

Reply #1 – December 27, 2018, 03:14:16 am

Hi Jane, and or Scott; The most likely leak in the regulator is a crack in the diaphragm. There is a spring that can be adjusted in the center, and out one edge is a vent. The vent is to let air in, that allows the diaphragm to move. So a leaking diaphragm will let some gas out the side where the vent is. It is hard to get bubbles, because the location of the actual leak is inside on the surface of the diaphragm where you can't see it. Unless it is lined up just right you can't fill up the insides with leak detector fluid.
Another place that can leak is on the shaft of the tank valve. The nut under the handle can be tightened to compress the packing gland, it forces the o-ring tighter up against the shaft. You can't disassemble the valve with propane in the tank, but you can put some leak detecting fluid on the shaft, to see if there is a leak there. It should only leak when the valve is partway open. It will seal closed, or seal open. So when opening the valve, open it all the way.
The only way to measure the amount of liquid in the tank is to have a float in the liquid, or weigh the tank and deduct the weight of the tank to reveal it's contents. A sight glass wouldn't be safe, and an ultrasonic detector would be expensive. Another way is to have a temperature tape on the side of the tank. When splashed with hot water, the color changing tape will indicate where the gas meets the liquid. I can't see how that gauge you asked about before could work. The reviews were terrible. It has to just be a pressure gauge, and I would expect it to read good, the same level, until it was suddenly empty. The pressure wouldn't drop until there wasn't any liquid to vaporize. RonB

Re: How to take propane regulator off to test for leaks

Reply #2 – December 27, 2018, 03:27:58 am

Ron, thanks for the info on places to look on the regulator and tank. I am betting the regulator was replaced last when the new tank was put in and the regulator is hitting that normal end of lifespan. I looked up the markings I could see but I am hoping to see more markings tomorrow with the tank out of the way. A manometer test will help us test for leaks also.

The tank is fine I think since there is no smell when it is turned off, but I am including It's valve area in my liquid leak testing.

I figured that gauge was too good to be true but I figured it would be easy to try and take back if it didn't work.

Jane

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

Re: How to take propane regulator off to test for leaks

Reply #3 – December 27, 2018, 12:20:08 pm

Hi Jane; RKcook 1 said he liked that gauge, so it is worth a try. Weight measurement should be more reliable. Since you have a removable tank, if there is enough room, I would try this one: GasWatch Plastic Propane Tank Level Indicator - Ace Hardware
This scale is aimed at 5 gallon tanks and I don't know if this would also work on yours. If I remember yours is a 7.5 gallon taller tank? RonB

Re: How to take propane regulator off to test for leaks

Reply #4 – December 27, 2018, 06:49:50 pm

"I can't see how that gauge you asked about before could work."

Very poorly--I've tried that type before. You're exactly right about the reasons why.

"an ultrasonic detector would be expensive."

Only $38 for the AP Products/Mopeka Tank√ that I've been using, and it is super-accurate. See my post here.

Re: How to take propane regulator off to test for leaks

Reply #5 – December 28, 2018, 02:05:17 am

Ron, we have a regular household scale and have empty and full lbs for our tank. But it is a pain to take the tank out each time.

Just a FYI, we have used this device Amazon.com: Dometic LPGC10 LP Gas Checker: Automotive

It works sort of ok. We need to take a handful of readings before deciding the level, you can't just go up and take one or two and know what is in the tank. For anyone who has used the sensors for electricity (finding wires in walls, finding the breaker that goes with a specific outlet/light), it works about the same. Each individual reading is only about 50% accurate (not very good), but take several and if you get mostly greens likely there is liquid at that level.

Jane

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