GAS REGULATOR ADJUSTMENT

Dougwe · Chief one feather

GAS REGULATOR ADJUSTMENT

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

Adjusting the gas pressure without a method of measuring it accurately and getting it exactly correct is a very dangerous game.
It is almost certain that you will upset the gas-air mixture and cause incomplete combustion which in turn will cause the production of carbon monoxide which is a poisonous by-product.
Cheers,
Peter

woolman · Guru

I believe you need a regulator with a larger supply, not changing the pressure

Neil

Possum3 · Guru

Doug, I believe you have a dirty/faulty thermocouple. I went online and found;

It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue with the Truma heater where the gas flame ignites but then cuts out after a few seconds. This can be caused by several factors:

Thermocouple Issues: The thermocouple is a safety device that detects whether the pilot light is lit. If its faulty or not positioned correctly in the flame, it may not sense the flame properly and will cut the gas supply as a precaution1.
Gas Pressure: Low gas pressure can also cause the flame to extinguish shortly after ignition. This could be due to a problem with the gas regulator or the gas bottle itself2.
Blocked Regulator: A blocked regulator can restrict the flow of gas, causing the flame to go out. Lighting all the gas rings on your cooker one at a time and looking for a drop in flame strength can help diagnose this issue3.
Wind Interference: Wind blowing into the flue or air intake can disrupt the flame. Some users have found that installing a high wind roof cowl or adjusting the flue height can help mitigate this problem1.
Service Requirement: If the heater hasn't been serviced recently, it might need a thorough check-up. Dirt and debris can accumulate over time and affect the performance of the heater1.
If you're not comfortable troubleshooting these issues yourself, its best to contact a certified technician to service your Truma heater. Always prioritize safety when dealing with gas appliances.

If all other gas flames on stove and fridge are working - which it seems that you've checked. It will be thermocouple issue.

-- Edited by Possum3 on Thursday 9th of May 2024 09:21:59 AM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thankyou for the replies, all. Everything said makes sense. Possum, I have done all you mentioned and all good, but the fitted Truma gas Heater is doing as it did way back in 2017 when the Truma Agent came to the aluminum tent and adjusted the gas flow at the regulator.

I will do some more research and maybe check up on what Neil has said as well.

Thanks again to you all and Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

PeterInSa · Guru

Hi Doug, I belive that all regulators are not created equal, you may not be getting enough gas to your heater because of the wrong unit being fitted, see below for 2 reg types, came across this years ago when looking into a friends problem. There may be others with higher ratings, your heater may indicate the require mj rating.

280mj
www.ebay.com.au/itm/222385528754

250mj
www.ebay.com.au/itm/224698343058

From Mr Google, mj: Megajoule is a unit of energy typically represented by the symbol MJ. The prefix mega infers one million and megajoule equals 1,000,000 joules, an SI unit of energy with the plural megajoules.

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 10th of May 2024 04:36:15 PM

Radar · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Morning all,
It's been ages since I asked a question of the ones that know but the time has come.
I had to get a new gas regulator on the aluminium tent around November 2023 but I think I need a different one.
Due to being summer my fitted Truma gas heater hasn't been needed but the weather has now changed and I fired it up the other morning. It started within seconds but after about 60 seconds cut off. Tried a few times and same thing. This happened a few years back and a Truma service man came to van and adjusted a screw in the regulator to allow more gas flow. the Truma Heater worked every time without fail.
That reg had a screw that came off and the adjustment screw inside was behind it. Easy.
The new reg has no removable screw to get to adjustment screw, if there is one.

All other gas appliances work fine.
My question is. Is this new reg a sealed unit? Or is there someway I can't see to adjust gas flow?

Come up to Brisbane old chief, I will introduce you to my Gas Person, she will fix your problems quick.

By the way, it will cost but her eyelids work manic.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

PeterInSa wrote:
Hi Doug, I belive that all regulators are not created equal, you may not be getting enough gas to your heater because of the wrong unit being fitted, see below for 2 reg types, came across this years ago when looking into a friends problem. There may be others with higher ratings, your heater may indicate the require mj rating.

280mj
www.ebay.com.au/itm/222385528754

250mj
www.ebay.com.au/itm/224698343058

From Mr Google, mj: Megajoule is a unit of energy typically represented by the symbol MJ. The prefix mega infers one million and megajoule equals 1,000,000 joules, an SI unit of energy with the plural megajoules.

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 10th of May 2024 04:36:15 PM

thanks Peter, that could be the problem. It is definitely a gas flow problem. I will see if the one I have has a measurement on it.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Radar wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
Morning all,
It's been ages since I asked a question of the ones that know but the time has come.
I had to get a new gas regulator on the aluminium tent around November 2023 but I think I need a different one.
Due to being summer my fitted Truma gas heater hasn't been needed but the weather has now changed and I fired it up the other morning. It started within seconds but after about 60 seconds cut off. Tried a few times and same thing. This happened a few years back and a Truma service man came to van and adjusted a screw in the regulator to allow more gas flow. the Truma Heater worked every time without fail.
That reg had a screw that came off and the adjustment screw inside was behind it. Easy.
The new reg has no removable screw to get to adjustment screw, if there is one.

All other gas appliances work fine.
My question is. Is this new reg a sealed unit? Or is there someway I can't see to adjust gas flow?

Come up to Brisbane old chief, I will introduce you to my Gas Person, she will fix your problems quick.
By the way, it will cost but her eyelids work manic.

G'day Ralph, long time no see.

Mate, There is a Kavoodle here at the house sit and if I could bottle her backfires the pressure would be plenty. Then again, they are that bad it would blow up the aluminium tent if not a 5km radius.

DMaxer · Guru

Hi Doug. Funnily enough I used my three way fridge on gas for the first time in months a few weeks ago and it would start and then cut out. This went on for several hours, it would go for a few minutes, maybe up to half and hour and then stop. I tried changing the settings, the lot, then went to bed thinking I would ring someone the next day.

Next day, fridge still going and hasn't stopped since, touch wood. What this means, who knows, maybe just needs a bit of a blow out after being idle.

I know a fridge and heater are different but when I was having this problem I tried the gas stove and water heater (which works on mains and gas) and they all worked ok.

Hope you are well.

-- Edited by DMaxer on Saturday 11th of May 2024 07:22:26 PM

jegog · Senior Member

The pilot flame is probably going out and the jet needs cleaning.
Apart from gas servicemen oxygen welders would be the only people with the sets of cleaning wires.

jegog · Senior Member

Quick question. Have you had the heater serviced?
Cleaning the pilot flame jet is a normal part in servicing gas heaters.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

PeterInSa wrote:
Hi Doug, I belive that all regulators are not created equal, you may not be getting enough gas to your heater because of the wrong unit being fitted, see below for 2 reg types, came across this years ago when looking into a friends problem. There may be others with higher ratings, your heater may indicate the require mj rating.

280mj
www.ebay.com.au/itm/222385528754

250mj
www.ebay.com.au/itm/224698343058

From Mr Google, mj: Megajoule is a unit of energy typically represented by the symbol MJ. The prefix mega infers one million and megajoule equals 1,000,000 joules, an SI unit of energy with the plural megajoules.

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 10th of May 2024 04:36:15 PM

G'day Peter,

Thankyou for the attached links and info. After a few checks and tests I ordered the 280mj Regulator in the top link. The service and quality was second to none. I fitted it yesterday and a quick test worked. The best thing is, I just fired it up on this -1c morning and the aluminium tent is warm within 15 mins so even turned it down. During the quick tests yesterday after fitting I noticed a better flame on my gas stove and the Suburban water heater took 10 mins less to finish heating. The gas side of the 3 way fridge fired up first click, it usually takes 3 or 4 clicks.

I was unaware of the different mj's but now know. I hope others reading this post have learnt as well.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Dick0 · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
PeterInSa wrote:
Hi Doug, I belive that all regulators are not created equal, you may not be getting enough gas to your heater because of the wrong unit being fitted, see below for 2 reg types, came across this years ago when looking into a friends problem. There may be others with higher ratings, your heater may indicate the require mj rating.

280mj
www.ebay.com.au/itm/222385528754

250mj
www.ebay.com.au/itm/224698343058

From Mr Google, mj: Megajoule is a unit of energy typically represented by the symbol MJ. The prefix mega infers one million and megajoule equals 1,000,000 joules, an SI unit of energy with the plural megajoules.

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 10th of May 2024 04:36:15 PM

G'day Peter,
Thankyou for the attached links and info. After a few checks and tests I ordered the 280mj Regulator in the top link. The service and quality was second to none. I fitted it yesterday and a quick test worked. The best thing is, I just fired it up on this -1c morning and the aluminium tent is warm within 15 mins so even turned it down. During the quick tests yesterday after fitting I noticed a better flame on my gas stove and the Suburban water heater took 10 mins less to finish heating. The gas side of the 3 way fridge fired up first click, it usually takes 3 or 4 clicks.

I was unaware of the different mj's but now know. I hope others reading this post have learnt as well.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Glad you got the top link 2.75kpa item, which is also an adjustable type, as opposed to the one you had previously which was a sealed type.

FYI, the standard LPG regulator in Australia for bbq's and caravans etc. is 2.75kpa.

If you fit safety valves to the hoses it is best to increase the flow until stove burners are pure blue flame with no yellow tips.

Then all the gas appliances should operate at their peak.

Safe travels.