Date: Fri, 11 May 2007 11:30:51 -0700
Reply-To: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: propane explosion sleep with one nostral open
In-Reply-To: <249167.55089.qm@web33505.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Robert,
I assumed that when the regulator fails in a
single stage that the unregulated gas pressure can
overcome the two devices inside the westy? All
camper vans are required to have dual stage regulaters
so that the second stage acts as a backup. When the
first stage fails a small leak external to the vehicle
alerts the user that there is a problem. VW did not
allow enough space for the new dual stage regulators
so it is a temptation to install a smaller single
stage regulator that does not require bending the
pipes. This should not be done. Gary
--- Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@yahoo.com> wrote:
> So sleep very well in your
> > westy
> > unless you foolishly used a single stage
> > regulator
>
> This claim is not true, and would place the leak
> outside the vehicle, when the report places the
> leak (and explosion)inside .
>
> If the leak was from outside, the vehicle would
> have to be in a depression where the sorrounding
> ground was higher.
> Then the gas could get into the van through a
> window, or other opening.
>
>
> Not likely of there was a wind,or a slope -
> propane is heavier than air and will seek lower
> ground before dissapating.
>
> A motor vehicle driving through a cloud of gas
> can set it off.
>
> The regulator itself whether one or two stage
> wasn't the cause . The second stage prevents
> pressure fluctuations in apppliances only.
> It maintains en even pressure and helsp offset
> pressure variations due to ambient temperature.
>
> Whether a one or two stage, this does not mean
> it is any safer with regard to it leaking
> outside the vehicle.
>
> When a regulator leaks, the diagphram has failed
> and both one and two stage regulators have them.
> 2 stage has two diagphrams.
>
> The regulator is on the tank outside the camper.
>
> The explosiong was inside the camper. It blew the
> front windshield out.
> How will gas igniting outside the vehicle do
> this?
>
> Robert
>
> 1982 Westfalia
>
>
>
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>
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>
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> --- gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
>
> > I think the actual event that started this
> > thread is
> > very rare and is likely to have been easily
> > prevented.
> > The stove and the fridge may be the usual
> > suspects but
> > not the unusual suspect here. It is easy to
> > leave the
> > burner on but that is not what happened, unless
> > your
> > too high to notice it. I can think of two
> > causes.
> > One is it was intenstional and the other is
> > that a
> > single stage regulator was used instead of a
> > dual
> > stage regulator. So sleep very well in your
> > westy
> > unless you foolishly used a single stage
> > regulator
> > because it fit better or was cheaper and if you
> > are
> > not sure, would not hurt to check what the
> > previous
> > owner did for you. Gary
> >
> > I was told this is likely a regulator that is
> > slowly
> > failing. They tend
> > to vent some gas to the air
> > when the tank pressure gets very low, or at
> > least that
> > is how it was
> > explained to me. I had
> > mine tested at a shop when the tank was full
> > and no
> > leaks were found,
> > so this was his theory.
> > It seems to be true, as I only smell it when
> > the tank
> > is nearly empty.
> > I bought a new regulator
> > from GoWesty but still haven't installed it.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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>
>
>
>
>
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