How many propane appliances can go at once?  I had the water heater on, and tried to light the oven.  The oven wouldn't fire on until the water heater was shut off.  If I have the stove on cooking something, the heater dies out.   I bought a new regulator, it's one of the kind that you hook to two propane bottles and it automatically switches over when one is empty.  Is there something I've done wrong?  Am I just being overly demanding of my propane flow?  I plan to run my fridge on the propane at some time, and I'd like to cook with the stove at the same time! 

  I don't know if the old regulator had the same problem, I never had more than one appliance going at a time.

Amanda

Why did you get a new regulator?  Do you use your trailer often?  Could there be dirt or bugs in the line?

I got a new reglator because I wanted the automatic switchover.  The old one was a single, and involved having to manually go switch to your second tank when the first was empty.  I don't think bugs could be in there, all the appliances light and have good pilots when they're used singly.  But if I try more than one, it's like there's not enough propane to go around.

Amanda

I think your idea that the line is partially plugged, has merit. You should be able to run multiple appliances concurrently. It would only involve a small particle of dirt to partially restrict an orifice. 

Did the problem only occur after the new regulator was installed? If that is the case, the problem may be with the new regulator. Or this could be the source of the contamination, during the installation.

I know you have already checked the valve on the top of the propane tank to make sure it is fully on. If the valve is fully opened, then turned closed about 1/2 turn, you will be assured of a maximum flow.

Gard

It may be caused by low outside  temperature so the liquid gas dos'nt vaporise fast enough is frost forming on the tanks?? if you can keep the tanks of of the trailer somewhere warm untill you get to your show or trail head that would help,

 also possible the above coments are true the other possibilty is the line isn't big enough or it got kinked when it was instaled Hope this helps...

Vaporization of propane isn't likely to be a problem in the lower 48 states.  Propane's boiling point is Minus 42 degrees.

Either the regulator is faulty, or the regulator is undersized for the gas volume required.  Total the btu of the appliances and check against the btu rating of the regulator.

OR ... kind of off the wall thinking.... try another tank of propane.  Perhaps you got a tank of butane or some bad batch of propane (Impurities)

Soooo....what if I have a bug in my orifice?  How do I get it out of the line if it is somewhere internal?

I'll have to fart around with other regulators and such, but  I really hoped that my new one would work, it seems pretty nice.

Amanda

Removing obstructions from you propane lines is a fairly simple affair.

If you have an air compressor you can blow out the propane lines. Turn off the gas at the tanks and remove the regulator from the gas line. Go to the inoperative appliance and disconnect the inlet line. If any of your other gas appliances have shut off valves, turn them off.

Apply about 10 -15 psi of air pressure to the appliance end of the pipe using an air blow gun. This will clean any obstructions out of the supply line to that appliance. Repeat at the others.

You must blow the air in the direction of the tanks, not towards the appliances.

An inspection of the ends of the lines at the inlet to the appliances, may find a small screen. This should be cleaned, but don't do so by blowing air into it. Try to remove it and clean it externally.

These simple steps may resolve a poor gas flow problem.

Gard

You're welcome, hope it helps

Gard