Manometer to test propane pressure, esp. for Propex heater...

[jimf909]

My Propex 2211 seemed to be underperforming compared to what I’d heard from others. Overall, it didn’t seem to get the van as warm as others would say and the temp at the outlet was about 150* F, less than Karl Mullendore’s (WestyVentures) suggested 190 - 200* F.

Karl often recommends checking the propane regulator for 11” water column. So I checked the Marshall two-stage regulator that the PO installed about a decade ago.

Manometer setup: 8’ of 5/16” id x 7/16” od clear hose attached to a board with horizontal lines at 1/2”. (Choose any diameter hose, physics doesn’t care.)

The 7/16” hose fits nicely into a stove valve body with the stem removed (my Marshall two-stage regulator does not have ports where a manometer can be connected)...

Coffee tinted water (no food coloring in the house...I haven’t colored easter eggs in decades) at 0” with the main propane closed...

8” initial water column has the Propex delivering about 150* F at the outlet and sometimes cycling off...

Adjusting the Marshall two-stage regulator to a 12” water column has the Propex delivering 180* F at the outlet...

179.8 -185* F measured on three different thermometers...

I’ll still measure output temp at the furnace (I tested t briefly and saw 190* F) and add some insulation around the ducts to see if I can deliver more heat to the inside of the van.

Moral of the story, if your propane appliances aren’t working as expected, measure the regulator. Then track down the bugs and dust in the jets. (Moral #2, listen to Karl )

Now I just need to wait for some cold weather to give it a good test!
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- Jim

[spitsnrovers]

Neat set up. I found a similar mal-adjustment of my regulator by this method also.
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500

[Sodo]

Now that's some Samba action.

My stove flames out when turning hard-right to the "low-stop" position.
Does that suggest low propane pressure too?

Removing the Stove Face Plate: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8117329#8117329
(excellent pictorial bummered by photobucket nonsense)
Would be great if member davideric could put these pics into TheSamba gallery!!

Regarding removal of the stove face plate. Are you testing for 11" water column with appliances burning (all of them)?
Or static pressure?
If static, can't you choose the "easiest location" to measure the 11"WC pressure?
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[dgbeatty]

The stoves have a second pressure regulator installed. I have found that even with the proper pressure at the valve the orifices in the stove valve is too small and benefits by increasing it 1 number size which I forget. Simmers perfectly afterwards. Be sure to use high temperature graphite gease.
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Schau in das Buch

[jimf909]

[jimf909]