I have the 45kBTU heater installed in my garage running off a 100# propane tank with this regulator http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_23995_23995 I am getting next to nothing out of it for heat. My garage is 24*26 with R13 insulation. This weekend it went from 39* to 42* in one hour. I expected a lot more heat out of the unit. Everything on the unit appears to be functioning correctly so I am thinking it may be the regulator. Can anyone with this heater comment if the regulator I have is okay or suggest a replacement.
Big Maxx 45KBTU LP Heater
- Thread starter drez77
- Start date
rickairmedic
Well-known member
Drez there is a similar thread in this forum and I am pretty sure the overall consensus was that a 100# tank wasnt big enough to support the heater properly with propane flow.
Rick
Rick
romoman
Well-known member
The tank is big enough. I have a 74k btu unit runing on a 100 pound propane tank with no problems. Something isn't working right. I'm not a HVAC expert, but go through all the steps. Make sure the LED on the board is not showing any codes, the unit is firing correctly, etc.
Jay41
Active member
nehog
Well-known member
I run a 200K heater on a 100 lb tank with no problems... But, just for the record, that's about the maximum for a 100 lb tank. Like others, I suspect the regulator isn't supplying enough gas to the heater.
fishheds
Well-known member
That regulator is fixed and cannot be adjusted.The twin stage regulator previously mentioned may work better.You need to be getting 11" -13" WC to the gas valve.
Look at the pilot when the main burner kicks on.It should remain the same size except for maybe a very small fluctuation when the main valve first opens.If it gets smaller or begins to flutter you're not getting enough pressure.
Even though this may earn me a
,if you don't have a pressure gauge,think about your breathing.11-13" is about what you'd use to use to blow out birthday candles,but not enough to blow up a balloon.Don't try this with propane haha
I initially thought the tanks ACME service valve(the ones with the big coarse external threads) may be the culprit,but 100# cylinders shouldn't have this type valve.
Also,look inside the tank service valve to make sure dirt daubers haven't got in there and clogged it up.
I spent 18 years doing propane service work and here's a little off topic tidbit.If you ever approach a tank and see flies all over it,you can bet the farm that tank or hardware has a leak somewhere.They love LP for some reason.
I flipped the lid open on an underground tank once and dead green flies were piled 3" deep inside the dome. Thousands of em.
Anyway,a 100# cylinder will have plenty of vaporization to run that heater and a full tank should last about 48-50 hours.
Look at the pilot when the main burner kicks on.It should remain the same size except for maybe a very small fluctuation when the main valve first opens.If it gets smaller or begins to flutter you're not getting enough pressure.
Even though this may earn me a
,if you don't have a pressure gauge,think about your breathing.11-13" is about what you'd use to use to blow out birthday candles,but not enough to blow up a balloon.Don't try this with propane hahaI initially thought the tanks ACME service valve(the ones with the big coarse external threads) may be the culprit,but 100# cylinders shouldn't have this type valve.
Also,look inside the tank service valve to make sure dirt daubers haven't got in there and clogged it up.
I spent 18 years doing propane service work and here's a little off topic tidbit.If you ever approach a tank and see flies all over it,you can bet the farm that tank or hardware has a leak somewhere.They love LP for some reason.
I flipped the lid open on an underground tank once and dead green flies were piled 3" deep inside the dome. Thousands of em.
Anyway,a 100# cylinder will have plenty of vaporization to run that heater and a full tank should last about 48-50 hours.
I did ask Mr. Heater what they recommended for a regulator and here is their response:
"Any low pressure (11-14"WC) regulator will work. The 11-14"WC regulator is common household LP pressure. The regulators can be found at most home improvement and hardware stores as well has HVAC supply houses."
I still think I will look at a different regulator.
"Any low pressure (11-14"WC) regulator will work. The 11-14"WC regulator is common household LP pressure. The regulators can be found at most home improvement and hardware stores as well has HVAC supply houses."
I still think I will look at a different regulator.
Jay41
Active member
But what is your gas valve pressure set at, at the unit?
crazy wheel
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2011
- Messages
- 197
I'm not sure how many BTU that regulator is rated at, or how many BTU that hose will carry (ID of that hose looks kinda small).
Like Jay41 says, You need to know what the inlet pressure and the manifold pressure is while the unit is running.
I would recommend calling a qualified service technician and have things checked out.
Then you will know what is wrong and what needs to be done for a safe and proper repair.
It will most likely save you money in the long run.