Re: [VACList] Re: gas lamp

["Gerald Johnson" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If its an OLD regulator it should be replaced before it causes a fire. Old 
regulator diaphragms tend to leak because of cracking. Old regulator valves 
tend to be sticky. Old regulators tend to not work well at very small loads, 
like the lamp alone. Some old style regulators (at least the ones on my house) 
lost regulation when then new pilotless furnace was installed and the new 
furnace couldn't be made to work until the regulators (both stages, high and 
low) were replaced. When the furnace shut off, the pressure rose to an 
unreasonable value for the next furnace start and the furnace controller 
refused to allow ignition with excess gas pressure.

But for diagnostic purposes, if having a burner on the stove lit, while 
testing the lamp and that burner doesn't change while the lamp shows problems 
it may not be the regulator. Still for safety purposes a regulator should not 
be expected to last more than 15 or 20 years if that long.

It might be that there is still some air in the line to the lamp. It won't 
purge nearly as rapidly as the line to a stove burner because the lamp orifice 
is a lot smaller than a stove orifice and it will take a lot longer to get the 
line full of propane, especially now that the line has been replaced. Perhaps 
patience in relighting the lamp is all that is required. One might speed the 
bleeding of the air from the line by loosening the connection at the lamp, but 
I'd rather burn the odd propane than vent it to the room, especially if there 
was any ignition source like a stove burner, or pilot, or the possibility of a 
static spark or light switch spark.

My '68 Owner's manual indicates that all Airstreams that year including the 
pipe for the optional gas lamp.

Gerald J.