Henry
Thanks for posting the instructions.
I have never heard of that about removing the regulator. If they would of added about 5 more words on “why” it would of helped solve this mystery.
These instructions are not exactly specific to our Sunlines. Look under Furnace, it says to shut off the LP gas. Well there in no shutoff on my camper nor I’m sure yours. And if you took the LP regulators off…. What is left to shut off?
Here is a question on removing the regulator, has anyone ever seen a regulator off on a dealers lot on used campers? Or a new one for that matter.
If someone knows a technical reason to do this, “Please” post.
Since they are going down the path of dealing with moisture in the LP tank the only thing that makes any kind of sense is moisture in the regulator and ice breaking something.
If we want a factory direct answer, we could contact Marshal Brass who makes the regulator and ask them if it is OK to have it outside in the winter covered under the tank cover like it normally is. I do not think the actual cold is the problem with the physical components of the regulator.
Now on the Methanol, did some digging on this. See this Gulfstream manual. See page 17, PDF page 23. It talks about the Methanol in colder climates to prevent freeze ups.
http://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/tidbi...nersManual.pdf Again key to LP gas system is to keep moisture out as it will freeze in the winter when being used. The gas does not freeze but the water will. Key is when the cylinder is filled and purged the first time, get all the air out, then when refilling make sure moisture does not get in.
Here is another camper winterizing recommendation list. It say to cover the regulator vent to keep moisture out and talks about the methanol as well.
http://www.cdtrv.com/rvwinter.htm
Here is Coachmen see pdf page 53 about long term storage, 3rd bullet point down. It talks about covering the regulator to keep moisture out.
http://www.coachmenrv.com/assets/pdf...aint_guide.pdf
And on page 48 of that PDF it talks about traveling in cold climates and the methanol.
So now what? Well for me I use the camper during winter months. I will have to ask the propane filling station about the methanol and see what they say. Basically it looks like it is used like dry gas in an auto but for LP systems.
As far as the regulator, I would say cover it with a plastic bag to keep moisture or other things out of the regulator vent is not a bad measure to do. The part about removing, well that can be asking for trouble long term. Each time we undo and redo the gas fittings that is an area of problems. Crossed threads, nicks on the tapered fitting surface, sometihg can get in the tpaed up gas line if it does not seal up totally, leaks when after you install, etc.
Any one else with an opinion? I would gladly change mine if we had more understanding on why to be yanking the regulator on and off. Again that to me can cause more ills then it may help.
Thanks
John