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Old 04-21-2021, 07:29 PM   #1
BookPaul74
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The “alarm” on the LP Regulator

Question. It’s new to me but at different times and it seems to do it when I’m on the bottom closest to the regulator. It’s this low sound that somewhat sounds like the dive alarm on submarines. I don’t notice it when it’s on the other tank. It stops when there’s nothing using propane. So if the refrigerator or water heater is on its making the sound. Or when the stove top or oven is on.

The first time I had to stick my head into the compartment to figure out where it was coming from.
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Old 04-21-2021, 07:45 PM   #2
sourdough
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It would be helpful if you put your trailer year, model etc. in your signature along with your TV. Makes trying to answer questions MUCH easier.

Looks like you have a 5th wheel. Probably has the "Fairview" cheap regulators. I figure that's what you're hearing. Just replace them with quality units; I use Marshall Excelsior. You should have a two stage (the big one with indicator) and a high pressure unit (on the off side). I've replaced them on my last 2 trailers - no more droning.
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Old 04-21-2021, 08:40 PM   #3
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I've experienced that whistle from the regulators on our rig, even on a BBQ grill, and it seems to have eventually gone away after a time and doesn't seem to cause any problems. If you can isolate the noise to one of the regulators and want to, just replace the regulator that makes the noise.
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Old 04-22-2021, 04:02 AM   #4
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There are no "alarms" on those regulators. What you are hearing is a vibration caused by the regulator internal spring and diaphragm that modulates the gas pressure. It won't hurt anything but if it's annoying then replace the regulator, they are jot serviceable.
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Old 04-22-2021, 04:50 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough View Post
It would be helpful if you put your trailer year, model etc. in your signature along with your TV. Makes trying to answer questions MUCH easier.

Looks like you have a 5th wheel. Probably has the "Fairview" cheap regulators. I figure that's what you're hearing. Just replace them with quality units; I use Marshall Excelsior. You should have a two stage (the big one with indicator) and a high pressure unit (on the off side). I've replaced them on my last 2 trailers - no more droning.
I have my signature on but for some reason when I post on my iPhone it doesn’t show.

That’s what I was thinking. I had a fifth wheel that built up so much of the oily buildup that it stopped flowing.

Thank something to do when I get home.
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Old 04-22-2021, 05:56 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BookPaul74 View Post
I have my signature on but for some reason when I post on my iPhone it doesn’t show.
When you log in, go to the bottom of the page left side, and tap on “view full web site” ( or something like that) I had the same problem
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Old 04-22-2021, 07:00 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BookPaul74 View Post
I have my signature on but for some reason when I post on my iPhone it doesn’t show.

That’s what I was thinking. I had a fifth wheel that built up so much of the oily buildup that it stopped flowing.

Thank something to do when I get home.

Yep, they do collect that nasty oil. Pulled the high pressure off this one while in FL and thought I would keep it as a spare (worked OK just made noise). That oil stinks to high heaven and after I cleaned it off as best I could so did I. I let it sit on a table outside the RV for over 2 months letting the stench die down before I put it in my spare box.
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Old 04-22-2021, 07:55 AM   #8
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The "odorant" added is "Mercaptan". It's an oily, foul smelling substance that's used in both natural gas and in propane. Over time, some can settle out of the propane and build up in the bottom of propane tanks. As it flows through the regulators, under the right conditions, it can coat the regulator "internals" and cause them to "vibrate or to even fail".

I don't know of any way an RV owner can "clean the mercaptan residue" out of the regulators or the propane tanks. A "propane company or distributor" should have a repair/service shop that can clean the tanks if there is a problem with them, but when it comes to the regulators, it's probably cheaper to replace them than to pay someone to service them... I suppose regulators have become "one more item on the dispose/don't fix list"....

On a fifth wheel with tanks on opposite sides of the trailer, the "off side tank" will have a 30PSI stepdown regulator and the "primary side tank" will have the primary regulator that further reduces propane pressure to 11"WC which is about 0.37-0.4 PSI.
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Old 04-22-2021, 12:23 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
The "odorant" added is "Mercaptan". It's an oily, foul smelling substance that's used in both natural gas and in propane. Over time, some can settle out of the propane and build up in the bottom of propane tanks. As it flows through the regulators, under the right conditions, it can coat the regulator "internals" and cause them to "vibrate or to even fail".

I don't know of any way an RV owner can "clean the mercaptan residue" out of the regulators or the propane tanks. A "propane company or distributor" should have a repair/service shop that can clean the tanks if there is a problem with them, but when it comes to the regulators, it's probably cheaper to replace them than to pay someone to service them... I suppose regulators have become "one more item on the dispose/don't fix list"....

On a fifth wheel with tanks on opposite sides of the trailer, the "off side tank" will have a 30PSI stepdown regulator and the "primary side tank" will have the primary regulator that further reduces propane pressure to 11"WC which is about 0.37-0.4 PSI.
Thanks for the information on the step down regulator, was wondering what that was. After the problem on my Alfa I replaced it to finish out the trip and before the next trip bought a second one for backup. I lived in it at an RV park when I wasn’t traveling.

I will do wiring hot but propane scares my so I’ll just replace and not try to clean it.
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Old 04-22-2021, 12:29 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
When you log in, go to the bottom of the page left side, and tap on “view full web site” ( or something like that) I had the same problem
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Old 04-22-2021, 12:29 PM   #11
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That worked but the display is small.
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Old 04-22-2021, 01:09 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by BookPaul74 View Post
That worked but the display is small.
It looks like the same size type as mine.
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Old 04-22-2021, 01:13 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BookPaul74 View Post
Thanks for the information on the step down regulator, was wondering what that was. After the problem on my Alfa I replaced it to finish out the trip and before the next trip bought a second one for backup. I lived in it at an RV park when I wasn’t traveling.

I will do wiring hot but propane scares my so I’ll just replace and not try to clean it.

Here's a link to the Marshall Excelsior line of regulators. Some good info there on the products.

https://www.marshallexcelsior.com/si...log_2020_0.pdf


The off side high pressure regulator reduces the LP tank pressure to 30psi (limit for the cross pipe) and then goes to the dual stage auto changeover regulator for further pressure reduction. I've had several Fairview failures, none with the Marshall Excelsior.
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Old 04-22-2021, 02:34 PM   #14
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I should have said the page. Instead of just the column it shows the whole web page.

Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
It looks like the same size type as mine.
I should have said column, it shows the whole web page
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Old 04-22-2021, 02:47 PM   #15
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I just move the screen around so my signature shows up without editing. I’m using an 12Pro Max so the screen is decent sized.
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Old 04-22-2021, 03:45 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
I just move the screen around so my signature shows up without editing. I’m using an 12Pro Max so the screen is decent sized.
iPhone 7 Max 256G. It’s still working so maybe some day. 😁
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