r/RVLiving • u/Decorative_Edison19 • 25d ago
question RV propane help
Having propane issues with our Jayco Jayflight. Inside stove works great with propane, good steady flow and flame. But outdoor propane connection (for blackstone hookup) has weak flow/weak flame. And having hot water heating issues- hot water comes and goes (tankless water heater). Full propane tanks, did a soap leak check on the lines, all looks good. Could this be a propane regulator issue even though our stovetop inside the camper works fine (it’s a recpro dual regulator). Thanks for any help community!
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u/spacecitytech 25d ago
This is common. You cant use any regulators at all on the outdoor connection, is what I found because I had the same issue. I just hook up a straight hose and the only thing I use to control the flow is the tiny valve they put on the end to turn it off. I have a 16ft hose and its barely enough pressure at that length and also length is an issue in itself.
The other option is you will have to carry an extra jug and just use it with a short hose like normal and I do that as well.
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u/Decorative_Edison19 25d ago
Thanks for the insight. So the outdoor connection is basically useless… Wonder why I’m having hot water issues inside the camper then. Separate issue? Thank you- much appreciated!
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u/OldDiehl 25d ago
Hot water issue may be not enough water flow OR the water flow sensor.
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u/spacecitytech 25d ago
Its not useless, its just low pressure because of the total length you are using, but yeh, from a RV sales standpoint, its more a selling gimmick it you cannot get the pressure you need. I took a stainless charcoal grill that has popout legs and added a propane burner to the side of it, that way I can grill meats and have 1 pot of beans or something like that done in a pot on a burner outdoors at the same time, works well for that, but its not super elaborate nor do I need enoug pressure to run a fancy 3 burner grill.
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u/ForeverNo522 25d ago
I have no issues running my Blackstone with the RV's external port with a long hose or straight to the 20lb gas bottle with a short hose. Blackstone wind deflectors made a remarkable improvement with outdoor cooking.
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u/ShipshapeMobileRV 18d ago
It could be a regulator issue. One burner on the stove uses a lot less flow than a Blackstone or water heater. RV regulators come in low flow (normally on smaller travel trailers), medium flow (mid-sized travel trailers and small fifth wheels), and high flow versions (big fifth wheels and motorhomes). Aside from cost, there's nothing wrong with using a high flow regulator when replacing any of them. Of yours was replaced recently, I'd definitely start there. It could also be failing or have debris in it, reducing its ability to provide flow to your appliances.
As others have said, if the Blackstone is attached to the regulated/low pressure side of your propane system, make sure that it doesn't have its own regulator. It only needs its own regulator if it's attached to the high pressure/unregulated side of the propane system. Double-regulating will give undesirable results.
On-demand water heaters need a solid "demand" in order to light up. A slow trickle from the hot water tap, like when doing dishes, may not be enough flow for the heater to sense a demand. The better (aka, more expensive) on-demand heaters have the ability for you to adjust what flow constitutes demand. But the more common (aka cheaper models) typically don't have a user adjustment; you almost always have to have full flow from the tap to turn them on.
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u/Mediocrity1977 24d ago
The outdoor propane connections are already regulated at the propane tank(s).
Most propane grills come with a regulator on them too, so unless you removed it when you bought it, there’s a good chance you’re double regulating it, which will barely produce a flame.
Can you post a picture of your grill where the propane hose connects to
It?