[VAC] Re: Oil in my L.P. line?

["Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxx>]

The standard pressure for LP appliances is 11 inches water column. Its
normally measured with a water manometer. You can make a water tube
manometer from a few feet of clear plastic tubing of any size convenient
to connect to the low pressure gas line. Actually you make a U tube
manometer by taping a 15" long U (total 30" or more of tubing) to a
ruler or yard stick. Fill it with water (with a tiny drop of dish
washing detergent added to make it less sticky) so there's water in the
bottom 6 or 8" of U when held vertically. Connect one end of the U to
the line needing to be pressure tested. Leave the other end of the U
open. The pressure is the difference between the water levels in the two
sides of the U. Its easiest to read when vertical. If angled there needs
to be an adjustment of the distance reading which is one way to improve
the sensitivity but not needed here. Most regulators will provide a
different pressure depending on whether they are supplying an appliance
or no. Pressure will be higher when everything is turned off, lowest
(though its the job of the regulator to hold it somewhat constant) when
all the appliances are running.

RV regulators are not adjustable. The only game is replacement if they
don't work. Check all fittings under pressure with soapy water. If there
are any bubbles, tighten them, refit then, clean them, and if threaded
only without a flare, add some pipe dope.

Gerald J.