Gas System. Strange Behaviour.

[DJE]

Normal Calor butane with a regulator on the bottle and a mixture of copper and flexible pipe to the cooker. I normally keep the valve on the bottle closed at all times when the gas is not in use. The shut off valve near the cooker is left open. So I turn on the bottle valve then go below to light the stove. It lights easily and there is obviously lots of pressure then the flow reduces and the burner goes out. Keeping the burner valve open on the cooker and the spark igniter running the flow returns and the burner re-lights with a weak flow at first building up to normal strength. Recently the delay has been getting longer and longer and it took a couple of minutes to re-light at the weekend. A change to a full bottle made no difference to the behaviour.

My guess is that the initial lighting is gas stored at pressure in the pipe and that the liquid in the bottle is taking some time to vaporize but I can't explain why that should be so. The other possibility is that there is some sort of fault with the regulator or a partially blocked pipe. Any ideas?

 

[lustyd]

Sounds like your regulator needs replacing. They are consumables and should be done every few years so not unexpected.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Another thing to eliminate is partially blocked jets on the burners. I've had specks of dirt that can get blown up into the jet by the gas flow.

 

[Boathook]

I agree a regulator issue. Sometimes they just carry on working and other times pack up just after fitting.

 

[dom]

Is it a marine regulator or a regular one? If latter, they tend to corrode over time. In which case replace and retest — ideally with marine kit — and it will almost certainly be fine.

BTW, marine regulators are truly much better when operating heeled.

Also, if relevant, EN 12864 ANNEX M approved regulators are now mandatory and may compromise insurance if not fitted.

 

[C08]

Having had a gas regulator send unregulated pressurised gas straight to the cooker where I could have had a fatal accident if not a bit cautious (hissing noise pressurising the pipework but not leaking) I would say play safe & replace gas regulators regularly and at the first hint of any change in their behaviour.

 

[wingcommander]

Butane boiling point is around 1° Celsius , Propane is around - 42° Celsius , hence in cold weather Propane is the first choice in winter. Anything less than around 5° Celsius and your Butane preasure is reduced. Though I would still replace the governor as they are not serviceable and inexpensive.

 

[DJE]

Thanks for all the advice. I have fitted one of these and everything seems to be fine now.

 

[PetiteFleur]

My experience was the same - but it was a Marine Regulator that failed at 2 yrs old...
Replaced with the old standard Regulator and it worked perfectly. I have bought a new Marine Regulator but not fitted yet due to the old one failing...