SECTION 8
LP GAS SYSTEM
8-6
Regulator freeze-ups are caused by the pres-
ence of moisture in fuel. This moisture will pass
through the cylinder valve and into the regulator
where it can freeze. Fuel producers, tank and
bottle manufacturers and LP gas dealers take
every precaution to reduce moisture, but some-
times only a fraction of an ounce entering the
tank can cause problems. To help avoid the
possibility of freeze-up, always keep tank control
valve closed when not in use, even when tank is
empty, to prevent moisture from collecting on the
inside.
If regulator freeze-up should occur, you may
attempt to thaw the regulator using a light bulb.
DO NOT USE AN OPEN FLAME OR HEAT
LAMP.
If moisture begins to cause problems, have
your LP gas dealer inject a small amount of dry
methyl alcohol in your tank (approximately one
ounce to 20 pounds or one pint to 100 gallons) to
help guard against regulator freeze-ups.
In very cold weather when a large volume of
gas is being used for heating, it is possible to ex-
perience a loss of gas pressure. At first, this prob-
lem may appear to be caused by a regulator
freeze-up, but is actually caused by failure of the
liquid gas to vaporize as fast as it is needed. As
the temperature becomes colder, it is increasingly
harder for the liquid LP gas to vaporize. At the
same time, the demand for LP to produce heat in-
creases to the point where the system cannot
maintain production.
The only solution to this problem is to reduce
the consumption of gas where possible. Adjust-
ing the temperature on the gas/electric refrigera-
tor may be a first step. Using less hot water will
help as well.
