A gas regulator reduces high pressure from the gas bottle to a consistent regulated pressure as required by the application. Gas regulators are used for compressed gases liquefied under pressure, such as LPG gas regulators for SWAP‘n‘GO LPG bottles and household gas cylinders.
Gas Regulator function
The primary function of an LPG gas regulator is to reduce the LPG gas bottle pressure from 400-1200kPa down to the required 2.75kPa operating pressure for gas appliances. Gas bottle pressure varies with temperature but the LPG gas regulator must consistently maintain 2.75kPa.
Gas regulator types include LPG gas regulators, acetylene gas bottle regulators and oxygen gas bottle regulators. The gas regulator setup can include bayonet fittings, pol gas fittings and other gas regulator fittings suitable for a variety of gas appliances and equipment such as MIG welders.
How does a gas regulator work?
LPG enters the regulator through the inlet port and the pressure is controlled by a spring-loaded diaphragm. The diaphragm moves with pressure changes and adjusts the inlet valve accordingly. Gas regulators are an essential component of your LPG system for safe energy use for your home, business, BBQ, caravan or motorhome.
The pressure within an LPG gas bottle can be 400-1200 kPa vs the 2.75 kPa LPG gas regulator (propane gas regulator) gas pressure typically required by LPG gas appliances. An LPG regulator works to automatically reduce high-pressure gas in the gas cylinder to the required pressure. It does this automatically using a diaphragm and springs.
At Elgas, we use only the best regulators, adaptors, connectors, jacks and other gas fittings so you can enjoy energy-efficient and economical ovens, heaters, hot water, and Bromic outdoor heaters for your home or business. Everything is covered under warranty for hassle-free energy.
This short video (8:29) explains all of the basics of LPG, LPG gas regulators, gas fittings and more…
Regulator gas pressure
(Gas Bottles with POL Fittings)
Gas pressure regulators use balanced diaphragms to regulate low, medium and high pressure. Adjustable regulator versions include 150 kPa acetylene gas regulators, 800 kPa oxygen gas regulators, 150 kPa argon gas regulators, 50 psi nitrogen gas regulators and 150 psi helium gas regulators.
Adjustable gas regulators include pressure gauges and an adjusting knob to indicate incoming pressure and outlet pressure. These gas regulators come in single-stage and dual-stage models. Dual-stage regulators are better at maintaining constant high pressure or low pressure.
Gas regulator problems
Gas is a convenient energy source Australia-wide. But what if your grill isn’t working properly or the flame is too low and ineffective? You might be having regulator problems such as:
Low temperature or low flame. This will limit the amount of vapour feeding your burners and won’t provide the desired grilling temperature.
The grill isn’t receiving gas. If your tank is full and your grill isn’t receiving any gas, you might have a gas leak or need to replace the regulator.
The gas regulator has frozen. Freezing inside the regulator is common, but there are things to look out for.
The gas cylinder isn’t upright
The gas cylinder is overfilled
Orange or yellow flame. Check the valves and hoses. Regulator components may need replacing.
Elgas can assist with replacement regulator kits and other spare parts.
Gas bottle fittings
Gas bottle fittings and couplings include the gas regulator, gas piping, BSP connectors, gas valves, clamps, inverters, and POL gas bottle fittings. Gas bottle fittings called pigtails or copper pigtails are flexible gas tube fittings that connect the gas bottle to the changeover valve or directly to the gas regulator. The gas regulator gas flow comes from the changeover valve, which determines which gas bottle is being used.
BBQ gas bottle with POL fittings
BBQ gas bottle fittings (POL gas bottle fittings) involve fewer components than home installations. Typical BBQ gas bottle fittings include a POL LPG gas regulator with POL gas bottle fittings, gas hose and connector. The POL LPG gas regulator, gas hose and connector usually come as an assembly but hoses are also sold separately.
Camper valve adapters may also be required for POL fittings or BBQ gas bottle fittings. For information about SWAP’n’GO stainless steel gas bottles and other Elgas products and specials, contact your nearest Elgas service centre.
Gas pigtails POL fittings
The gas bottles are connected by ’pigtails’ to a changeover valve. The changeover valve is connected to the gas regulator with POL gas bottle fittings. Pigtails can be made of solid copper, rubber or braided metal over a rubber interior. Copper is generally considered the best choice for gas bottle fittings, as rubber and braided pigtails have a limited life span. Without flexible pigtail gas bottle fittings, the rigid hose would be more susceptible to leaks.
If you have a portable gas heater, it will be connected to your home LPG supplied using a bayonet connection that can be floor or wall-mounted. The male connector on the end of the heater hose plugs into the female connector which is, in turn, connected to the LPG service piping.
If you need a new full gas bottle from Elgas for your home or business in NSW, QLD, and other Australian states, give us a call. Order a replacement gas bottle when you switch between bottles and you will never run out of gas.
BBQ gas bottle with POL fittings
BBQ gas bottle fittings (POL gas bottle fittings) involve less components than home installations. Typical BBQ gas bottle fittings include a POL LPG gas regulator with POL gas bottle fittings, gas hose and connector. The POL LPG gas regulator, gas hose and connector usually come as an assembly but hoses are also sold separately.
Camper valve adapters may also be required for POL fittings or BBQ gas bottle fittings if you have a camper valve gas bottle or appliance. Some outdoor appliances also require Piezo electric ignitors, replacement valves, various BBQ gas bottle fitting adapters and gas fitting kits for natural gas BBQ conversions. For information about SWAP’n’GO gas bottles and other Elgas services, contact us online, over the phone, or in person at your nearest Elgas service centre.
Make sure you know the type of thread your fittings use. Thread types include BSPP, BSPT, and NPT threads.
LPG is stored under pressure
LPG is stored under pressure as a liquid in a gas bottle that is usually made from welded steel, stainless steel, galvanised steel or composite materials. LPG (Propane) turns back into a gas when you release some of the pressure in the gas bottle by turning on your appliance. The pressure within a gas bottle can be 800-900kPa. This varies based on the ambient temperature, exposure to the radiant heat of the sun and the amount of gas remaining in the gas bottle.
Gas regulator pressure for appliances
The appliance inlet pressure for Australian LPG gas appliances typically requires 2.75kPa gas regulator gas pressure. Gas regulator gas pressure flow is reduced and ensure a consistent 2.75kPa gas pressure safely delivered from the gas bottle to your appliances via the gas bottle fittings. Gas regulators for LPG bottles are an essential part of an LPG system. Without LPG gas regulators reducing the gas regulator gas pressure, the LPG would be unsafe to use.
LPG gas regulators must reduce the high pressures as shown in the LPG Pressure chart above to the required 2.75kPa gas regulator gas pressure. The LPG gas regulator shown (right or above) includes an automatic changeover valve.
Gas bottle regulator types & sizes
Gas bottle gas regulator types & sizes vary depending on the gas load. Although the purpose of LPG gas regulators is the same, different gas load applications may require different gas bottle regulator types and sizes.
The gas demand of the appliance determines what gas bottle gas regulator type, gas bottle fittings and size of LPG gas regulator is installed. For example, if the combined megajoule (MJ) rating of your home’s appliances is quite high, an LPG gas bottle regulator with a higher MJ rating size would be required.
Commercial sized LPG gas regulators are completely different and frequently comprised of two separate gas regulator units and gas bottle fittings. Also, please note that under no circumstances should a BBQ gas regulator ever be used on a home installation.
Gas bottle regulator adjustment controls
There are various gas regulators and fittings used depending on the gas. Some gas regulators are pre-set to work at a specific gas pressure, such as LPG and natural gas regulators. Other regulator types include adjustment controls and gauges for monitoring and adjusting the gas pressure.
Gas regulator types are rated according to flow rate, with different size gas regulators operating with specific gas loads. For example, you wouldn’t use a BBQ gas bottle gas regulator for a whole house. There are also two-stage gas regulators, with two separate gas regulators. This system is used when there is a long run of gas bottle fittings between the gas bottles and the application.
Some gases, like acetylene, are reactive with certain types of metal. This means that the gas regulator and gas bottle fittings must be manufactured from specific materials. See accompanying image of acetylene gas regulator.
Gas pigtails POL fittings
The gas bottles are connected by ’pigtails’ to a changeover valve. The changeover valve is connected to the gas regulator with POL gas bottle fittings. Pigtails can be made of solid copper, rubber or braided metal over a rubber interior. Copper is generally considered the best choice for gas bottle fittings, as rubber and braided pigtails have a limited life span.
Pigtails can catch or trap debris over time so they should be replaced when the gas regulator is replaced. Pigtails are relatively flexible gas bottle fittings that can absorb the shock of sudden movement or jarring if the installation is accidentally bumped. Without flexible gas bottle fittings, the rigid hose would be more susceptible to leaks.
Propane (LPG) piping
A gas line runs from the gas regulator to your appliances. This gas line is the service piping. Propane pipe (LPG pipe) generally consists of copper or plastic polyethylene tubing. The propane piping needs to be installed correctly and legally by a qualified professional gas fitter for the entire installation to be safe and serviceable.
Gas bayonet connections – If you have a portable gas heater, it will be connected to your home LPG supplied using a bayonet connection that can be floor or wall mounted. The male connector, on the end of the heater hose, plugs into the female connector which is, in turn, connected to the LPG service piping. Please see:
How to Connect & Disconnect Gas Bayonet Fittings
Manual gas changeover valves
With manual changeover valves, you need to manually reset the valve when the first bottle is empty. The changeover valve has a lever which must be set to the gas bottle in use. To use a manual changeover valve, follow these three steps:
- Turn the empty gas bottle valve clockwise to CLOSE the valve.
- Adjust the changeover valve lever to point towards the second gas bottle, which will be filled and ready to go, courtesy of Elgas.
- OPEN the valve on the full gas bottle by turning it anti-clockwise.
If you need a new full gas bottle from Elgas for your home or business, give us a call for delivery to your home or business. Order a replacement gas bottle when you switch over between bottles and you will never run out of gas.