Two heaters off 1 tank

[opsirc]

I have running two heaters off a single 20# tank. Have a adapter that hooks to the tank and allow both to be hooked up. Trouble is they will not run together, one keeps going out, or they will run at a very low temp, hardly any heat. Does anyone esle run two off one tank and do you have any problems? Wondering how the double or triple Mr heaters work on the 20# tank.

Thanks

[thedeadsea]

Bad regulator or plugged hose? At our shack we run a 32' trailer house with 6 gas lights and a full range/oven with no dimming at all off a 20# with everything running at once.

Steve

[Phred52]

opsirc, Are you using a regulator that's designed for say a gas grill (a low BTU)? How many BTU's output are the heaters that you're using, combined? You might want to start there. It sounds like your regulator is too little (output) for the application. I'd suggest looking into one for something like a 5th wheel or larger sized travel trailer. See if the dealer will allow you to 'try before you buy'. Phred52

[opsirc]

Actually not using any regulators, and the only valves are on the tank and the two heaters. 1. is a Mr heater cooker, max 14000, and the other is a coleman, max 14000. If I run one by itself, they work fine, only when trying to use both do I have problems. Which tends to make me believe that the tank valve is bad or the connector that I attach to the tank is bad. but the connector is pretty straight forward, looks like a T.

[herefish101]

sounds like one of those heaters draws more propane, so thats why one works and one sputters, if you were regulated to each heater individually, then each heater would get the gas it needs.

[Phred52]

You've got me baffled. I know neither of those heaters call for an external regulator. Only a guess mind you, but when you have both operating, I'm thinking that one heater is set to a higher setting and drawing the lions share of the fuel from the tank thus, not allowing a full flow to the other heater. Possibly even putting a negative flow to the 2nd heater causing it to go out. If you're wondering about the tank valve being defective, take the tank out into an open area and crack it open for a SHORT bit. If there's something impeding the flow, that should clear it out. NO SMOKING!!! I don't believe the 'T' is at fault, the only thing that might help is putting an in line check valve on each line to restrict the flow some. Phred52

[Mainehazmt]

I have heard.....drill out the pol end allowing more gas flow to the hose another thing to think about is opening the tank slowly thus not shutting down the tank as in it thinks it has a broken line and shuts itself off or greatly reduces ouput from the tank one of the added safety features due to the new opd valves

[iafish4fun]

We had this same situtation on a lake one night. We were running 2 Buddy Portables off one tank. It worked fine until the temp dropped. We were able to hook up 1 lb bottles and keep going. We thought that the tank just couldn't keep up with 2 heaters when it started getting below zero. I also know that I have run a heater and a grill off one tank without any problems. Have never used a regulator on the heater or in the hose at all.