Date:         Fri, 11 May 2007 12:05:42 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: propane explosion sleep with one nostral open
In-Reply-To:  <341778.54454.qm@web38903.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

The regulator  regulates pressure. When a
regulator fails it leaks from the regulator
housing,to the outside, not to the interior of
the vehicle. It is the diagphram that fails,
allowing gas to escape to the outside atmosphere.

 The single stage still provides pressure
regulation. Just that single stage pressures are
not consistant as they rise or fall with the
outside air temperature.


Dual stage regulators provide consistent pressure
.

When  regulator fails it's usually obvious.
Besides the odor of leaking gas , there can a
hissing sound and the regulator body itself will
frost up.

Stock regulators are hidden by the plastic cover.
with the cover removed, you can see a failed reg
easier if it's frosting up.

Robert

1982 Westfalia




--- gary hradek <hradek@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Robert,
>       I assumed that when the regulator fails
> in a
> single stage that the unregulated gas pressure
> can
> overcome the two devices inside the westy?
> All
> camper vans are required to have dual stage
> regulaters
> so that the second stage acts as a backup.
> When the
> first stage fails a small leak external to the
> vehicle
> alerts the user that there is a problem.   VW
> did not
> allow enough space for the new dual stage
> regulators
> so it is a temptation to install a smaller
> single
> stage regulator that does not require bending
> the
> pipes.   This should not be done.   Gary
> --- Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> >   So sleep very well in your
> > > westy
> > > unless you foolishly used a single stage
> > > regulator
> >
> > This claim is not true, and would place the
> leak
> > outside the vehicle,  when the report places
> the
> > leak (and explosion)inside .
> >
> > If the leak was from outside, the vehicle
> would
> > have to be in a depression where the
> sorrounding
> > ground was higher.
> > Then the gas could get into the van through a
> > window, or other opening.
> >
> >
> >  Not likely of there was a wind,or a slope -
> > propane is heavier than air and will seek
> lower
> > ground before dissapating.
> >
> > A motor vehicle driving through a cloud of
> gas
> > can set it off.
> >
> > The regulator itself whether one or two stage
> > wasn't  the cause . The second stage prevents
> > pressure fluctuations in apppliances only.
> > It maintains en even pressure and helsp
> offset
> > pressure variations due to ambient
> temperature.
> >
> > Whether a one or two stage,  this does not
> mean
> > it is  any safer with regard to it leaking
> > outside the vehicle.
> >
> >  When a regulator leaks, the diagphram has
> failed
> > and both  one and two stage regulators have
> them.
> > 2 stage has two diagphrams.
> >
> > The regulator is on the tank outside the
> camper.
> >
> > The explosiong was inside the camper. It blew
> the
> > front windshield out.
> > How will gas igniting outside the vehicle do
> > this?
> >
> > Robert
> >
> > 1982 Westfalia
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> >
> > > I think the actual event that started this
> > > thread is
> > > very rare and is likely to have been easily
> > > prevented.
> > > The stove and the fridge may be the usual
> > > suspects but
> > > not the unusual suspect here.  It is easy
> to
> > > leave the
> > > burner on but that is not what happened,
> unless
> > > your
> > > too high to notice it.   I can think of two
> > > causes.
> > > One is it was intenstional and the other is
> > > that a
> > > single stage regulator was used instead of
> a
> > > dual
> > > stage regulator.   So sleep very well in
> your
> > > westy
> > > unless you foolishly used a single stage
> > > regulator
> > > because it fit better or was cheaper and if
> you
> > > are
> > > not sure, would not hurt to check what the
> > > previous
> > > owner did for you.   Gary
> > >
> > > I was told this is likely a regulator that
> is
> > > slowly
> > > failing. They tend
> > > to vent some gas to the air
> > > when the tank pressure gets very low, or at
> > > least that
> > > is how it was
> > > explained to me. I had
> > > mine tested at a shop when the tank was
> full
> > > and no
> > > leaks were found,
> > > so this was his theory.
> > > It seems to be true, as I only smell it
> when
> > > the tank
> > > is nearly empty.
> > > I bought a new regulator
> > > from GoWesty but still haven't installed
> it.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
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> >
> >
> >
>
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