2012 Phaeton Owner's Manual - Tiffin Motorhomes

LP Gas RegulatorHEATING & AIR CONDITIONINGAs noted earlier, the LP gas regulator (Figure 3-5) is the “heart” of the LP gas distribution system. Thisregulator reduces and controls the pressure of the gas on the outlet end to provide a constant supply ofgas at a constant pressure to the gas-operated appliances. The regulator has a vent to relieve excesspressure on the inlet side of the regulator, should excesspressure develop in the gas tank and connecting gas line tothat regulator inlet. The vent would normally release theexcess LP gas to the atmosphere until the over-pressurizationcondition is eliminated.This vent should be regularly checked to assure that it is notclogged or obstructed. If that vent is blocked from normaloperation, component or system failures may result. IfFigure 3-5. LP Gas Regulator periodic visual inspection indicates any sign of corrosion ordegradation, contact a qualified service technician to repairthe regulator as soon as possible; DO NOT operate the LP gas system with any faulty component inplace.Occasionally, the inherent moisture in the LP gas can cause a freeze-up of the regulator when the gaspasses through the regulator. The regulator reduces the high pressure of the gas on its inlet side to areduced pressure on its outlet side by permitting a controlled expansion of the gas through theregulator—this gas expansion necessarily cools the gas (by means of the Joule-Thompson effect) and, ifcooled enough, may cause any moisture content to freeze.ImportantWhen a LP gas regulator is installed or re-installed, the regulator must always beinstalled with the gas diaphragm vent facing downwards. For more information,consult the manufacturer’s literature in your Owner’s Information Package that camewith the motor home.To minimize or negate this possibility, always keep the main valve to the LP gas tank closed when thesystem is not in use. When the LP tank is empty, keep the main valve closed until re-filling is to beperformed—this process will keep any moisture-laden air from back-flowing into the gas system andtrapping unwanted moisture in the LP gas tank. If an empty LP gas tank has been exposed to theatmosphere for an extended time, let a qualified service technician purge the tank before its next fillingoperation.3-6