The Camping Forum

[bigray]

Hi,

I have been camping/caravanning for a few years and have just invested in a New Propane Regulator (the Calor Pigtail Type). On the top it says protect from rain. I used my previous one outdoors in all conditions and just wondered if anyone else had found this. I notice there is a small hole on the side of the top I presume this is to let air in but wondered if I turned it upside down it would be ok. Has anyone else seen this before?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[nutgone]

Most of them have that stamped on them somewhere. My dad left his out in all weathers & had no trouble.

The hole is to let air move in & out above the diaphragm (that's what's inside the flying saucer shaped bit, a diaphragm that "regulates" the flow of gas). So this hole shouldn't be blocked.

Not sure if turning it upside down will help (only the regulator, not the bottle, the bottle should NEVER be inverted, very dangerous). I would've thought the shape of a regulator is ideal for dispersing rain? It's probably just one of those things they HAVE to stamp on these days.

Have you thought about putting a plastic bag or piece of wooden board on top of the bottle?
It only says "protect from rain", not "must keep dry" or anything like that.
I wouldn't recommend tying a plastic bag tightly round it, as it obviously requires some ventilation, but something on top of the bottle, just to keep the worst of the weather off should do the trick.

[Donnelly69]

I'm guessing the hole is part of the pressure relief system............. and should not be blocked in any way - even by rain water.

By turning it 'upside down', if the regulator can be attached to the pigtail upside down, then I would say it will make no difference and should be ok. I hope someone will correct me if wrong..................

[nutgone]

Turning it upside down may make it more likely to get water in it, through the little hole (or any other holes on it). (I really couldn't say for sure though, without looking at the installation)

Probably best to try & cover it, like I suggested above. Doesn't have to be water tight, just enough to keep the worst of the weather off. Piece of thin board, a foot square or so, on top of the bottle, weighted down with something. Or some kind of tarp cover. Just throw a sheet over it perhaps, bit of rope on each corner, through eyelets or clingons, peg it down.

I doubt it'll come to much harm in the rain, but probably best to do as they tell you & "protect from rain" (a bit of a half-hearted warning, if ever I heard one). They do still need plenty of ventilation, after all.

[M0KAS]

it shouldn't matter which way up the regulator is, but the reason for keeping the hole clear is as many said, its part of the regulation system, and ive always used my regulators on an angle or upside down (with the vent hole pointing down) an old piece of tent material and an elastic band works well (mug your postman for elastic bands, they have lots of them ) the main issue with the vent hole only may happen in winter camping, when any water that covers the hole freezes and making the thing airtight,

[Wayne]

Interesting thread and I've learned something new. I never noticed a breather hole on the regs, but will have a closer look at mine. I must admit mine is outside in all weather

Not that i ever have or ever would, but out of interest why is it dangerous to turn the bottle upside down when in use

[Donnelly69]

Because you would be feeding liquid gas to the stove, rather than a gas, causing the stove to flare dangerously.

There are a couple of stoves on the market which are designed to be used this way, but they are generally small mountain stoves. They use a lot of gas this way, but burn very hot.

[M0KAS]

lpg when in a bottle under pressure it is liquid, turning the bottle upside down may allow liquid into the item being used, once it vaporises. the ratio from liquid is to vapour is around 250 to 1, so you see that little 8mm diameter pipe can contain 1 hell of amount of potential gas vapour, its the explosion risk they are trying to avoid, in a tent it would be deadly


EDIT

Just worked out the volume of a .8mm hose 1meter long, the hose would be able to hold 50.2 cubic cm of liquid gas at a ratio of 250 to 1 when vaporised that works out at a great deal, ill let someone else answer it, i dont have enough fingers or toes for that one

[nutgone]

Yes, I saw them do it through a blow lamp on a science program once. Actual liquid LPG (which in itself stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is very dangerous indeed.

Those who choose to refill their camping gaz cylinders from a calor type butane bottle, or refill the coleman propane tanks from a calor type propane bottle know that they have to invert the bottle they are filling FROM, about 24" above the cylinder they are filling TO.

(Both these practises are possible, but not recommended, unless you REALLY know what you're doing, & IMO aren't worth the risk for the few quid saved over a season).

[Wayne]

Right makes sense, seems obvious now.....thank you.