Failed Regulator Troubleshooting

In this video I change a regulator that got hung up, and was causing excess pressure to build in the line. This higher than normal pressure was preventing the gas valve from opening properly. Its very important that proper gas pressure is maintained both while the system is operating and while static. I put a follow up clip, showing that the other regulator also failed almost exactly one year later.

[@goaty999]

This video just saved me from having to pay big money to replace a pool heater. Turns out the regulator was letting too much gas into my pool heater and the valve would not open. I backed the screw off a few turns and now everything works! Thank you.

[@beaveittoleaver2327]

It's seems like when a main regulator fails (L.P. or N.G.), it causes problems with the rest of the regulators in the system. I'm a professional plumber, and a manometer doesn't lie. This is a VERY informative video. Thanks bro, well done. - "Shit flows down hill, payday is Friday, and don't chew on your finger nails."

[@Jon-hx7pe]

Dam - When I saw that inlet pressure initially, I thought you must working with propane! Crazy for natural gas.

[@arthurr8670]

Not at all crazy. Natural gas is supplied at very high pressure from the supplier, at least in some places and stepped down when it gets to the customer. Sometimes up to 10 psi, but this is more for commercial applications.

[@mattmoyer9304]

two things wrong with the set up no sediment trap because trash in the line from thread oil or sealant got in regulator and prevented lock up and the Maxitrol had the vent limiter still installed you must cover it or remove and install a outdoor vent cap on it I have run into several jobs where the gas line installer had put indoor vent limiting regs outside and water and bugs get in the vent limiter cap and block it or it gets installed vertically and reg wont function correctly either. I could see right away when you connected you monometer I noticed the pressure kept climbing that's a sign its got something in the seat of the reg. good video.

[@leversforever9748]

You nailed it!! if the reg has seat or orifice damage the reg will not lock up so pressure keeps climbing.

[@boby115]

You two are exactly correct👍. I have been in the natural gas industry for over 35 years and have seen a lot of contractors over look mistakes you guys shined the light. In the industry, we refer to this as a creeping regulator. Y’all stay safe out there & regards from STL. Keep learning and sharing that knowledge 📚

[@TVwatcher-ic3ne]

Great video. I wish we could have seen what failed inside. Should there be drip legs on those lines before the regulators?

[@user-xo1xn7ss9z]

Very very good dear elder brother.

[@wilub1]

I only have the first stage regulator, a MEGR 1122H-AAJ which i used when the tank was about 11 feet from home and everything worked fine! I recently moved the tank 90 feet from my home and that's when I noticed the low gas pressure! I had my gas supplier serviceman check my gas connections as I was smelling gas (I have congestive heart failure from Agent Orange and as the effects worsen I am not as strong as I once was so the joints weren't as tight as need be! I used 1/2 gas flex to 5/8 cooper the last 4 feet to home! Is there a chance I will need a secondary regulator the supposedly gas company serviceman didn't mention! I will admit Iwas a little suspicious of him even though he drove a truck with my gas company logo the reason for suspect he claimed his normal work truck was in the shop SO he needed to use my tools , joint sealant and teflon! I really think I need another gas supplier!

[@davidmckinney6577]

Hello Reuben good buddy 👍👌✌️

[@pepsicolachao4537]

Huge beast!

[@AlexKievskiy]

Thanks

[@marioarnoldo5356]

👍👍

[@Davewutsup]

I think my regulator plunger went bad outside natural gas. It's been in the 20 degrees,,, for the past 3 or 4 days. It's getting plenty of gas pressure to the regulator. But nothing's making it through the plunger. I think the regulator went bad?

[@mist4926]

my gas guy just told me they can stop working if a spider or bug gets in the little hole you see there. he said cclean it out oncce in awhile with a pipecleaner.

[@mashzmash]

getting clogged? maybe system needs a drip leg?

[@wilub1]

remove a 250 gal tank farther from home but after move my gas pressure on stove in other words stove flame is very low same regulator only difference was 100ft new gas line what could be the cause?

[@ReubenSahlstrom]

What size line are you using? My propane tanks are 225 feet from my house, and are fed using 3/8 inch copper. At the tank the first stage regulator drops the pressure to 10 psi, and the second stage regulator drops it to 9" water column. Do you have two regulators?

[@wilub1]

William Brockman jr 1 second ago I only have the first stage regulator, a MEGR 1122H-AAJ which i used when the tank was about 11 feet from home and everything worked fine! I recently moved the tank 90 feet from my home and that's when I noticed the low gas pressure! I had my gas supplier serviceman check my gas connections as I was smelling gas (I have congestive heart failure from Agent Orange and as the effects worsen I am not as strong as I once was so the joints weren't as tight as need be! I used 1/2 gas flex to 5/8 cooper the last 4 feet to home! Is there a chance I will need a secondary regulator the supposedly gas company serviceman didn't mention! I will admit Iwas a little suspicious of him even though he drove a truck with my gas company logo the reason for suspect he claimed his normal work truck was in the shop SO he needed to use my tools , joint sealant and teflon! I really think I need another gas supplier!@@ReubenSahlstrom

[@Infernooo621]

I had a Gas Meter replacement recently and the Regulator and Gas Meter box was changed. The Tech did not check any gas pressures before or after, is that fine? Also what’s the symptoms of too much NG pressure coming into a house or is this not a issue with how much pressure is provided in the service lines? Also what’s the sign of a fault regulator? Thanks for any advice.

[@ReubenSahlstrom]

Too much gas pressure leads to an imbalance in the gas valves usually preventing them from opening. It is generally recommended to check the gas pressure on a system if an appliance has been having issues. The meter itself doesn't usually affect the gas pressure.

[@ritch90]

hi Sir, can a medium sized gas regulator power 5 pcs of Laundry Dryers? ( 15kg load size dryer)

[@ReubenSahlstrom]

You'll have to look up the manufacturer information on the regulator and see how many BTU/hour it can supply, and then check how much your dryers consume, and them make sure your pipe size can also handle that load.

[@ritch90]

@@ReubenSahlstrom ok. Thanks. I tried to check on the specs but the dryer wrote gas consum 1kg /per hr. Thats why im not sure how can i calculate in Psi. My gas seller tried to sell me the largest and vwry expensive i saw i wrote 5-20 psi output which i think not really needed. Thats why i need to research around.😇

[@craighvac1808]

Why is 14"wc an issue?

[@ReubenSahlstrom]

Gas valves that use natural gas typically need an inlet pressure between five and seven inches of water column. This unit, had an individual regulator which lowered the pressure from two PSI to 7 in of water column. When the pressure exceeds the max inlet pressure the valve wants, it can cause the gas valve to stick. The solenoid has to be strong enough to open the valve, and if there's too much pressure it won't open. That's what was going on with this particular unit.

[@craighvac1808]

@@ReubenSahlstrom Interesting. Where I'm from (Ontario, Canada) gas pressures are 7-14" w.c...typically see around 10 at most areas. I think the same Rtus you are working on would be identical here

[@ReubenSahlstrom]

Are you running propane or natural gas?

[@craighvac1808]

@@ReubenSahlstrom Natural Gas in canada is supplied at 7-14" w.c. Propane is supplied at 13 typically

[@chrisdaye1522]

@@craighvac1808 Here where i live, British Columbia, our newer homes have 2 PSI in the house but you need a 7-14" reg before an appliance. Perhaps if you have a ton of piping the savings on going to smaller pipe size could offset the cost of all the regs.

[@davidleighton5701]

Regulator is no good