Propane Tank Covers

[Ronsay]

I'm having propane problems, just got back from a trip to Red and had to pull out early because of either regulator or line freeze up.

The furnace wouldn't start unless I had the gas light on so that the propane was flowing in the line at all times.

I have not covered the regulators while traveling, and think the problem may be there. The house also has a 1/4" ID main line coming into the tee from the tanks, I will change that to 3/8" ID on a nice day.

Does anybody use a tank cover to protect the tanks and regulators while traveling, and if so, what kind? I saw an ad somewhere on a plastic cover that will work on dual tanks up to 40#, has anyone used these, and how do they work?

Any help would be appreciated,

Ron

[Bob/Mn]

I talked with a gas dealer and he recommended covering the vents to keep salt mist and water out of the vents. Duct tape would work fine to cover the vents or a box covering the tanks.

We also discusted the low temp. problem and propane tanks freezing up. Pouring hot water on the tanks will provide a temporary fix, but has to be done at a regular interival.

The best solution may be the insulated box with a vented bottom. A short section of 2 inch PVC connected to the top of the box and through the wall of the house. On the inside wall mount a small 12 volt DC Fan to blow warm inside air through the PVC into the tank box. A flapper should be installed on the PVC to keep cold air out when the fan is not in use. I'll do some checking around on some 12 volt DC fans.

3/8 inch lines will help some but nothing seems to work well at -30 below. :-(

They do make covers for tanks and are available at RV part suppliers/dealers.

[iffwalleyes]

Sound to me like more of a bad thermocouple problem. Otherwise if you have a regulator freeze up you probably wouldn't get enough to do what you mentioned. One thing you can do but be careful is to turn the gas valve off and disconnect the regulator and hose and then take a handy dandy torch and apply some heat to the regulator and see if that does the trick. Becareful not to put to much heat and don't concentrate it in one area. Also don't hit the hose with the flame. I made that mistake one day it will melt the hose really quick.

[Ronsay]

I think I figured it out, I have single stage regulators on the tanks and they are not built for what I am running in the house, especially in sub zero weather.

I ordered an automatic switch 2 stage regulator, a hard cover to go over the tanks and 3/8" ID hose to go from the regulator to the inside furnace tee in the house.

I have an ice castle house and they run the 1/4" hose on the outside of the house which I will change to run the new hose through the front of the house so it starts to heat right after leaving the regulator. Will also put some insulation on the inside bottom of the tank rack where the hard cover will sit.

It looks like nice weather this week, so should be able to get it switched out as soon as I get everything.

Ron