Regulator gas pressure
(Gas Bottles with POL Fittings)
Gas pressure regulators use balanced diaphragms to regulate low, medium and high pressure. Adjustable regulator versions include 150 kPa acetylene gas regulators, 800 kPa oxygen gas regulators, 150 kPa argon gas regulators, 50 psi nitrogen gas regulators and 150 psi helium gas regulators.
Adjustable gas regulators include pressure gauges and an adjusting knob to indicate incoming pressure and outlet pressure. These gas regulators come in single-stage and dual-stage models. Dual-stage regulators are better at maintaining constant high pressure or low pressure.
Gas regulator problems
Gas is a convenient energy source Australia-wide. But what if your grill isn’t working properly or the flame is too low and ineffective? You might be having regulator problems such as:
Low temperature or low flame.This will limit the amount of vapour feeding your burners and won’t provide the desired grilling temperature.
The grill isn’t receiving gas.If your tank is full and your grill isn’t receiving any gas, you might have a gas leak or need to replace the regulator.
The gas regulator has frozen.Freezing inside the regulator is common, but there are things to look out for.
The gas cylinder isn’t upright
The gas cylinder is overfilled
Orange or yellow flame.Check the valves and hoses. Regulator components may need replacing.
Elgas can assist with replacement regulator kits and other spare parts.
Gas bottle fittings
Gas bottlefittings andcouplingsinclude thegas regulator, gas piping,BSPconnectors, gas valves,clamps,inverters, and POLgas bottlefittings.Gas bottlefittings calledpigtailsorcopper pigtailsare flexible gas tube fittings that connect thegas bottleto thechangeovervalve or directly to thegas regulator. Thegas regulatorgas flowcomes from thechangeovervalve, which determines whichgas bottleis being used.
BBQ gas bottle with POL fittings
BBQ gas bottle fittings (POL gas bottle fittings) involve fewer components than home installations. Typical BBQ gas bottle fittings include a POL LPG gas regulator with POL gas bottle fittings, gas hose and connector. The POL LPG gas regulator, gas hose and connector usually come as an assembly but hoses are also sold separately.
Camper valve adapters may also be required for POL fittings or BBQ gas bottle fittings. For information about SWAP’n’GO stainless steel gas bottles and other Elgas products and specials, contact your nearest Elgas service centre.
Gas pigtails POL fittings
The gas bottles are connected by ’pigtails’ to a changeover valve. The changeover valve is connected to the gas regulator with POL gas bottle fittings. Pigtails can be made of solid copper, rubber or braided metal over a rubber interior. Copper is generally considered the best choice for gas bottle fittings, as rubber and braided pigtails have a limited life span. Without flexible pigtail gas bottle fittings, the rigid hose would be more susceptible to leaks.
If you have aportable gas heater, it will be connected to your home LPG supplied using a bayonet connection that can be floor or wall-mounted. The male connector on the end of the heater hose plugs into the female connector which is, in turn, connected to the LPG service piping.
If you need a new full gas bottle from Elgas for yourhomeorbusinessin NSW, QLD, and other Australian states, give us a call.Order a replacement gas bottlewhen you switch between bottles and you will never run out of gas.
BBQgas bottle with POL fittings
BBQ gas bottle fittings (POL gas bottle fittings) involve less components than home installations. Typical BBQ gas bottle fittings include a POL LPG gas regulator with POL gas bottle fittings, gas hose and connector. The POL LPG gas regulator, gas hose and connector usually come as an assembly but hoses are also sold separately.
Camper valve adapters may also be required for POL fittings or BBQ gas bottle fittings if you have a camper valve gas bottle or appliance. Some outdoor appliances also require Piezo electric ignitors, replacement valves, various BBQ gas bottle fitting adapters and gas fitting kits for natural gas BBQ conversions. For information aboutSWAP’n’GOgas bottles and other Elgas services, contact us online, over the phone, or in person at your nearest Elgas service centre.
Make sure you know the type of thread your fittings use. Thread types include BSPP, BSPT, and NPT threads.
LPG is stored under pressure
LPG is stored under pressure as a liquid in a gas bottle that is usually made from welded steel, stainless steel, galvanised steel or composite materials. LPG (Propane) turns back into a gas when you release some of the pressure in the gas bottle by turning on your appliance. The pressure within a gas bottle can be 800-900kPa. This varies based on the ambient temperature, exposure to the radiant heat of the sun and the amount of gas remaining in the gas bottle.
Gas regulatorpressure for appliances
The appliance inlet pressure for Australian LPG gas appliances typically requires 2.75kPa gas regulator gas pressure. Gas regulator gas pressure flow is reduced and ensure a consistent 2.75kPa gas pressure safely delivered from the gas bottle to your appliances via the gas bottle fittings. Gas regulators for LPG bottles are an essential part of an LPG system. Without LPG gas regulators reducing the gas regulator gas pressure, the LPG would be unsafe to use.
LPG gas regulators must reduce the high pressures as shown in the LPG Pressure chart above to the required 2.75kPa gas regulator gas pressure. The LPG gas regulator shown (right or above) includes an automatic changeover valve.
Gas bottle regulator types & sizes
Gas bottle gas regulator types & sizes vary depending on the gas load.Although the purpose of LPG gas regulators is the same, different gas load applications may require different gas bottle regulator types and sizes.
The gas demand of the appliance determines what gas bottle gas regulator type, gas bottle fittings and size of LPG gas regulator is installed. For example, if thecombined megajoule (MJ) ratingof your home’sappliances is quite high, an LPG gas bottle regulator with a higher MJ rating size would be required.
Commercial sized LPG gas regulators are completely different and frequently comprised of two separate gas regulator units and gas bottle fittings. Also, please note that under nocirc*mstances should aBBQ gas regulatorever be used on a home installation.
Gas bottleregulator adjustment controls
There are various gas regulators and fittings used depending on the gas. Some gas regulators are pre-set to work at a specific gas pressure, such as LPG and natural gas regulators. Other regulator types include adjustment controls and gauges for monitoring and adjusting the gas pressure.
Gas regulator types are rated according to flow rate, with different size gas regulators operating with specific gas loads. For example, you wouldn’t use a BBQ gas bottle gas regulator for a whole house. There are also two-stage gas regulators, with two separate gas regulators. This system is used when there is a long run of gas bottle fittings between the gas bottles and the application.
Some gases, like acetylene, are reactive with certain types of metal. This means that the gas regulator and gas bottle fittings must be manufactured from specific materials. See accompanying image of acetylene gas regulator.
Gas pigtails POL fittings
The gas bottles are connected by ’pigtails’ to a changeover valve. The changeover valve is connected to the gas regulator with POL gas bottle fittings. Pigtails can be made of solid copper, rubber or braided metal over a rubber interior. Copper is generally considered the best choice for gas bottle fittings, as rubber and braided pigtails have a limited life span.
Pigtails can catch or trap debris over time so they should be replaced when the gas regulator is replaced. Pigtails are relatively flexible gas bottle fittings that can absorb the shock of sudden movement or jarring if the installation is accidentally bumped. Without flexible gas bottle fittings, the rigid hose would be more susceptible to leaks.
Propane(LPG) piping
A gas line runs from the gas regulator to your appliances. This gas line is the service piping. Propane pipe (LPG pipe) generally consists of copper or plastic polyethylene tubing. The propane piping needs to be installed correctly and legally by a qualified professional gas fitter for the entire installation to be safe and serviceable.
Gas bayonet connections –If you have aportable gas heater, it will be connected to your home LPG supplied using a bayonet connection that can be floor or wall mounted. The male connector, on the end of the heater hose,plugs intothe female connector which is, in turn, connected to the LPG service piping. Please see:
How to Connect & Disconnect Gas Bayonet Fittings
Manual gas changeover valves
With manual changeover valves, you need to manually reset the valve when the first bottle is empty. The changeover valve has a lever which must be set to the gas bottle in use. To use a manual changeover valve, follow these three steps:
- Turn the empty gas bottle valve clockwise to CLOSE the valve.
- Adjust the changeover valve lever to point towards the second gas bottle, which will be filled and ready to go, courtesy of Elgas.
- OPEN the valve on the full gas bottle by turning it anti-clockwise.
If you need a new full gas bottle from Elgas for yourhomeorbusiness, give us a call for delivery to your home or business.Order a replacement gas bottlewhen you switch over between bottles and you will never run out of gas.
