Tabletop Propane Heater problem

[trooper1954]

Hi all,
Have a nearly new (lit 3 times) propane heater that the adjustment knob from lo to high does not do anything. It does not increase either the heat or the flame when I turn it up. I contacted the retailer, and they sent me a brand new burner.....which does exactly the same thing....no change when making adjustment to heat!!! Anyone have any idea whats up? It works fine, fires up with the igniter, stays lit etc......just will not adjust.
Yes, I know I should return it, but I'd sure like to know if I can just simply replace the regulator?
Any advice welcome.
Thanks

 

[The Cobbler]

you sure you've got propane in your tank?
and what size tank are you using, also are you sure you're not tripping the flow safety if it's a 20 lb tank?

 

[Old tool guy]

Link to the heater so we can get some details?

 

[trooper1954]

The Cobbler....yes, propane tank at least 1/3 full. Sorry but I'm not sure what you mean by "tripping the flow safety".
The heater is one of those that takes the little one pound green gas cylinders, but I have it hooked to a 20lb.
Its a Paramount Tabletop Heater...photo attached

 

[The Cobbler]

Flow safety is a valve in the 20 lb tank that is there to detect a large flow in propane & shuts down to very low pressure coming from the tank.
to re set it, turn everything off . turn the valve on the tank back on very slowly. . that should re set it.
and...
I gave a friend one of those heaters, very similar.. it worked fine on the 1lb tanks, but not on the 20 lb tank hose I gave him. swapped the hose out & it worked flawlessly

 

[finn]

Spider got into the orifice on mine and plugged it up.

Cleaned it and it works perfectly three years later.

I’ve had similar problems with other propane equipment like torches.

 

[RTM]

Yup, if the flow and flame is always small, look for a plugged orifice. Bought one cheap with a spider web in it. Few minutes cleaning, and away we went

 

[trooper1954]

The Cobbler.....thx, your situation was exactly what's happening here. I took out one of the small green 1lb cylinders, and tried it and guess what....flame and heat output now works. I'm still not sure what's happening when it's connected by hose to a 20lb cylinder, perhaps the gauge on the cylinder is not accurate, and there's not enough gas/pressure left in it...or perhaps its the hose? No way of checking the hose for restriction....the orifice is very small, and trying to blow compressed air through did not work well.

 

[The Cobbler]

in my case there was nothing wrong visibly with the hose, it just wouldn't allow a hot flame. another hose worked flawlessly . must be something with tolerances on the shrader valve I suspect