lp regulator replacement

I replaced the LP regulator on my 300 liter tank 2 3/4 years ago.  This August the diaphragm in the regulator blew out and a tank of LP gas was lost.I replaced the regulator myself for 89 pesos. The cost of loosing a tank of gas vs. replacing the regulator regularly is a no brainer if this is a common occurrence. I am wondering if this regulator failing was a fluke or a common occurrence in Mexico. In the US I never changed the LP regulators and I use to live in extreme climate variations. My question is how often have people had to replace LP regulators in this area or do LP regulators generally last a long time?
Thanks Bill

Never in 9 years.

our tank came with the house 8 years ago and there is no telling how long before that it was here and no problemas

Ours finally started leaking at 15 years. Is it possible your tank got overfilled badly? That might cause a nearly new regulator to blow out.

Or you could have simply gotten a dud. 89 pesos sounds awfully cheap for a quality regulator. Ours came from Casa de Plomero at the top of the hill on the way out of Ajijic, red front building north side.

You might want to get the replacement there. I've never had a problem with anything I bought there.

I'm assuming you replace the regulator when the tank is (almost) empty.

I'm wondering if there may be a problem when the old regulator is taken off that air will go into the tank while the new regulator is being replaced. Is there some process needed to "bleed off" any air that gets into the tank while making the change?

Clueless, could have been a defect in the regulator. You seem to be having bad luck. During the 8 years I've owned my home here, this is the 1st problem I have heard. Most of us have never had a problem and many live in homes 20 years or more old.

Correct me if I am wrong, but LP providers never fill over 70-80 %.

They are not supposed to but I wouldn't bet on it.

Thank you to all. I must of had a run of bad luck. The tank was about 70% when it happened. I will keep a watch for a better quality regulator around here and if not will pick one up in the states. I will check at Casa de Plomero to see if the regulators are different.
Bill

Clueless, normally there is a shut off valve between the tank and regulator. Both of mine are that way. So you don't have to worry about letting air into the tank and the small amount of air that gets in the line flushes out quickly.

Under no circumstance should the tank be filled beyond 80 percent. Make sure your guage is still working properly otherwise they could be overfilling your tank.

My tank says full is 85%

Zedinmexico wrote:My tank says full is 85%

wow! your tank talks to you?

Zedinmexico wrote:My tank says full is 85%

That is the norm for most (all) tanks. Expansion would never reach 15%.

Mainecoons wrote:Clueless, normally there is a shut off valve between the tank and regulator.  Both of mine are that way.  So you don't have to worry about letting air into the tank and the small amount of air that gets in the line flushes out quickly..

Last year I changed our regulator.... we didn't have a shut off valve between supply and regulator... we do now!!
Fortunately, there was only a quarter tank of fuel... so it wasn't to big a loss.

Regulators fail... shit happens....
Have The Gas Truck Guy bring a regulator with him & a valve if you need one

As I said in my "Hazmat" post, the last time I had my tank filled, they took it to 85# (or is it %?).

Anyway, it worried me but so far, no issues. I'll have to go on the roof to check it soon.