Troubleshooting A Regulator That Freezes Up When Hooked Up To A 40lb Tank

Updated 06/20/2023 | Published 06/19/2023

Question:

I am running a Generac 8000 portable generator on propane. The generator does great on the 20 lb bottles. When I connect the regulator to the 40 lb tank the regulator freezes up and will not run my generator. What is causing this problem and how do I fix it??

asked by: Jimmy J

Helpful Expert Reply:

Both the 20lb and 40lb tank should have the same outlet pressure running to the regulator so that leads me to believe that either the 40lb tank is bad and pushing a lot of water into the line or that your regulator is on a flexible hose and when you hook up to the tank the vent on the regulator is no longer facing down allowing the water in the line to escape. I would first make sure that the regulator is in a position so that the vent is facing down and then I would test the system using a new 40lb tank to rule out the tank being the issue.

With it working on the 20lb tank I don't believe that the regulator would be the issue.

expert reply by: Kevin C