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treeplanter · 04-23-2020, 08:06 PM

Have a " clicking ,whistle," sound coming from or near my regulator at my tanks. Does it from both tanks. Not leaking . Tried cutting different tanks off ,cant hear any noticeable difference. Any thoughts?

carl2591 · 04-23-2020, 08:22 PM

if the regulators are old they can whistle at times.. have not heard a clicking per say, but a slight whistle.. yes.. new ones can do it as well but rare.

Quote:

Originally Posted by treeplanter

Have a " clicking ,whistle," sound coming from or near my regulator at my tanks. Does it from both tanks. Not leaking . Tried cutting different tanks off ,cant hear any noticeable difference. Any thoughts?

Itchytoe · 04-23-2020, 08:55 PM

I notice a similar noise when I'm using a large volume of propane. Like when the water heater is on, I'm cooking, and drying laundry (propane dryer). Do you always hear it, or only when using significant amounts of propane?

treeplanter · 04-24-2020, 07:36 AM

Only hear it when using large volume of propane. Water heater, furnace. Whistling may describe better. It's is intermittent. A rapid pulsating "whistle"

carl2591 · 04-24-2020, 08:53 AM

you have to remember how a regulator works.. it take the higher pressure in tank and meters it though a small opening depending on usage pressure, LP 11.5 WC and the volume of gas needed.

most RV regulator units are rate for 190K BTU more or less and that is MAX flow.. most water heater on RV use some 60K, furnace can be 60-70K... if both are running that is moving a bunch of gas through teh system.. In cold, ie 30 deg and colder, the reg can ice up on large flows due to moisture.

if you put your ear to the reg you will hear the flow for sure.

again it its an older unit 10 plus years or used in hot or extreme climates with lots of storage time between usage and , old tanks etc they can get crap in them.. the oil in tanks can build up causing issues but that is very rare.. (the "oil" is the additive from the "rotten egg smell" called Mercampthin ?..

also make sure the pressure is set correctly with a proper gauge.. generally 13 WC covers most needed unless the line is extra long then you mgiht need to bump up to 15"

treeplanter · 04-25-2020, 07:34 AM

Thanks. Always amazes me the knowledge available here!!!!!!

TXiceman · 04-25-2020, 09:51 AM

Older regulators and high volume usage can cause a whistle. You can tray tapping on the regulator with a wooden mallet and it may stop for a spell. Otherwise, replace the regulator.

Ken

garywilson · 04-27-2020, 01:42 AM

If the unit is several years old I'd go ahead and replace the auto-changeover regulator. If for no other reason the whistle is an irritant.
Also, purchase a spare to keep in your box of stuff. If the regulator freezes in cold weather you will be able to replace it before spring thaw.
If the propane tanks/bottles are less than 100 pounds, I think they changed from 12 years to 10 years expiration/recertify a couple of years ago. If so, re-ert is only for 5 years so maybe new tanks too?

steve52 · 04-28-2020, 07:29 AM

A whistling/hissing/humming regulator may be on its way out. Or not. As long as you do not smell gas you're OK. Here's an article that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about regulators and the sounds they can produce.

https://inspectapedia.com/Appliances...or_Humming.php