Propex and Westy tank - now fixed.

[Wychall]

I have a Propex 2000 heater which has been working fine from a propane cylinder. I have now fitted a Westy underslung tank and plumbed it through with 8mm copper pipe. But now the Propex won't fire. I just get the two flashes to signify a gas problem.

I have checked that gas is getting to the heater (by loosening the union and listening to the hiss, but don't tell anyone). So what next? Will a 37 mbar heater run on a 50 mbar supply? Could the hiss fail to indicate insufficient flow? How can I check it?

Unfortunately I do not have a spare union to be able to revert to the cylinder to check that way. Perhaps I need to order one.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Obvious answer is that your gas pressure is way too high! I should think that you need to fit the correct regulator to suit the Propex. (and other UK spec appliances)

[Wychall]

That's what I thought, but I am sure I read on this exalted forum that the Propex would happily run on the Westy pressure. Time to search all the old posts I think.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Apparently Propex do make a 50mbar version but standard is 28 or 30 mbar according to their literature for the 1800.

[Wychall]

I was sure that I had seen something. Evidently Mr Titus has his working ok. Hopefully he will be along to confirm.
http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... 5#p8143883" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldiebut goodie]

Hmmm.....Maybe Titus's was a 50 mbar one to start with? He may have got his locally in Germany. I would expect the flame to be prone to blowing out at the higher pressure. Might be better to get paulandchez to confirm whether his is OK on the high pressure tank or that he had to use another regulator.

[Titus A Duxass]

Mine Is a UK sourced Propex.
I have it plumbed in to the westy tank and it runs fine.
Steve at gasure told me that they run okay with 50mb.

[Wychall]

Mine Is a UK sourced Propex.
I have it plumbed in to the westy tank and it runs fine.
Steve at gasure told me that they run okay with 50mb.

Thanks for the confirmation. I now need to get another coupler so that I can switch back to a cylinder to try and isolate my problem.

[Wychall]

So, I have cut into my new copper line so that I can connect with a rubber hose to a propane cylinder. The Propex then fired up immediately. My problem is therefore with either pressure or flow rate through the Westy regulator. As Titus confirms that the Propex should be ok at 50 mbar I now need to check the flow rate. How the heck do I do that? I'm thinking perhaps a roofing torch to make sure I can get a substantial flame. What do you think?

Also, has anyone used a Tinley Tech regulator to replace the Westy one? Will it fit?

[Oldiebut goodie]

Why not just put the correct regulator in line? It would save a lot of faffing about like you are proposing. £20 ish for a bulkhead one like you need.

[captain Byrne]

They're designed to run at 30mb. Some may work ok at 50 but that's nearly twice the pressure. If it does run it'll be inefficient, you'll probably get flame 'lift off' and it won't be good for the combustion chamber & will probably shorten the heater's life. You need a 30mb governor (regulator). http://www.autogasshop.co.uk/truma-in-l ... -604-p.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Pretty simple to fit in-line but I suppose you should get a Gas Safe engineer to check it if you're not too confident with gas.

[Wychall]

As I don't have a camper, space for a bulkhead or inline regulator is at a minimum. That is why I would prefer to find something that would fit within the Westy tank control box. The tinley reg is of the bulkhead type, utilising 8mm compression fittings each end. I was just hoping for confirmation that the threaded outlets are a match for the westy ones. I also have my doubts about the state of the existing regulator so would prefer to replace it rather than have a secondary step down.
Failing confirmation from anyone, I will order the tinley and keep my fingers crossed. It's only £20ish so not a bank breaker.

[Wychall]

So due to the deafening silence from anyone that has replaced the Westy regulator I decided to break the ice myself. I ordered the 37 mbar regulator from Tinley and, on receipt of it realised that I had no chance of replacing the existing reg. It was at least twice the diameter!

Let's now follow the sage advice from Oldiebut goodie and fit it in line with the existing regulator.

All connected up, flick the switch, and bingo! It works!

I can now confirm that some propex heaters will NOT work at the Westy pressure of 50mbar and will need to be further reduced to 37 mbar.

I'm now ready for the severe winter that the weather forecasters are promising us. (I hope they are wrong though )

[captain Byrne]

Don't want to put a downer on things & I'm glad it's working but I can assure you it's not working correctly.
E.D.I.T. note to self .. read stuff properly before posting.

[Oldiebut goodie]

What isn't working correctly?