Help please with my hothead and propane tank

Kay24 · January 01, 2011, 05:38:08 PM

Hi

I have had my hothead set up on bulk propane since august with no problems, but the last few weeks the flame keeps going out, I have fiddled with the regulator but makes no difference, I first thought maybe the gas has ran out but I'm not sure, I have read a few posts on how to tell if it was running out but I would of thought once the flame had gone out that would be the end of it, I made about 10 beads earlier in the week with no problem until the last bead where I just couldn't melt it properly and the flame went out, today I made 3 beads no problem but then the flame just kept going out, got hubby to look at it for me and he thinks it still feels heavy so I can't of ran out!!....so I need some help please, have I ran out of gas or is it something else?

Thanks kay

Blue Box Studio · January 01, 2011, 05:53:09 PM

Sounds like low gas to me, having had something similar happen to my bulk on a HH when I first started. Apparently the weight of the empty cylinder ios on the metal collar but I'm a bit too dim to be able to work that out. The pressure does drop as you get to the end of the cylinder and the cold doesn't help. To get that last drop of gas out I've been known to put the 'empty' tank in a bowl of hot water, that warms the last drop of gas up, it vapourises better and I get an extra few mins to finish what I am doing. The stick on gas measure thingies you can get to tell you how much is left don't work IMHO. If the tank feels light I'd take it and get a new one, if you still have probs after that then at least you know it's not the gas.

sarah t · January 01, 2011, 06:17:56 PM

sounds like low gas to me too .....those tanks are blinkin heavy even when empty...and if you have been using the same tank since august sounds about right ....

ScarletLeonard · January 01, 2011, 06:31:16 PM

I agree with low gas sounds exactly like what happened when mine ran out. The flame also stutters like there's wind on it. (I actually though the gale was coming through an open window the first time.

There is always about 2-5% in the cylinder that isn't easily useable but it will keep things working all but poorly for a little bit.

BTW you can get a stick on thing from caravan shops that measures the level of the gas so you can keep an eye on it, they are around a fiver but reusable, worth it to save you not realising you are running low on a Saturday night and you have 10 sets of beads to finish for Monday.

Krysia@No98 · January 01, 2011, 06:45:13 PM

Completely agree, time for a new tank of gas!

I find it smells a bit funny too when I get to the bottom!

Nikki · January 01, 2011, 06:46:57 PM

That's what happens to me when my gas is running low, There is always gas left in the tank that I just can't use.

Blue Box Studio · January 01, 2011, 07:11:20 PM

Quote from: Krysia on January 01, 2011, 06:45:13 PM

Completely agree, time for a new tank of gas!

I find it smells a bit funny too when I get to the bottom!

I find I work closer and closer to the torch head, the flame gets so low and the glass won't melt. Sometimes you have to then admit defeat and hope the padlock to the cage at the petrol station isn't frozen solid (as it was when I went the other day, darned annoying, so close yet so far away).

Kay24 · January 01, 2011, 07:34:25 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies, off to get a new tank then in the morning, I had a beadcube for christmas from my mum so its all systems go now, and hubby has let me move into the study instead of garage so spent all day moving in and organising, he did look at me strangely when I started writing a list of all my glass, but am slightly worried that he came home with an electricity monitor so will have to hide it when the kiln goes on

sarah t · January 01, 2011, 07:42:09 PM

the cube is really cheep to run ...someone (george?) did a calculation ...if you do a search you might find it

chipperpottery · January 01, 2011, 07:45:27 PM

I had that happen, before Christmas on my Minor....turned out it was the regulator.

Kay24 · January 01, 2011, 09:15:13 PM

Oh no I hope its not the regulator, did you have to replace it?

I will have to go in search of that thread for how much it costs to run the beadcube so I can make hubby read it, he is nightmare monitoring everything, he was shocked at my hair straighteners usage! The joys of marrying an energy consultant!

GlassOwl · January 01, 2011, 09:42:31 PM

I agree with everyone here that it is probably low gas.

However I noticed when the tank got very cold (sub zero in the garage) that the tank in a bucket of boiling water helped to make the gas flow a bit more.

But I have got through a lot of gas in the last couple of weeks!

Sandra

Shirl · January 04, 2011, 01:52:02 PM

I have a HH and propane, it sounds like low gas to me as it happenned to me a few weeks ago.

I wasnt sure what was wrong as it was taking a long while to melt the glass, and the colours were a bit dull, so put on a new gas bottle (even though there seemed to be a little bit left in the bottle) and it was perfect!

Kay24 · January 04, 2011, 05:51:01 PM

Thanks everyone I am going to get my gas changed tomorrow, its been a bit hectic round here so I haven't had chance to get it, I will let you know tomorrow if it works ok

Lush! · January 04, 2011, 05:52:27 PM

Fingers crossed, Kay!