Last week we ran a contest to find the solution to Steve Tornello’s insufficient gas pressure dilemma. (You can read his request for help here.)Steve just got back to me with the solution…
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Steve,
Thanks for sending out the query. . . .
All suggestions were excellent. I started with the least expensive suggestion with a slight modification. Wanda Swan/Dixie Kitchen suggested plumbers tape which I used on regular pipe fittings. I rechecked the fittings and found that the fittings not requiring plumbers tape were leaking (even though all were tightened as much as possible. Plumbers tape was a hassle in the tight quarters so I used plumbers thread sealant as originally suggested by my neighbor. I fired up the four burners and there was fire, hot water and steam. . . too much.
Wanda Swan/Dixie Kitchen should get the prize.
Thanks to all for helping.
Steve Tornello
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Wanda, email me your shipping address so I can send your chip clips. Nice job!
I want to thank everyone for your suggestions. Wow what a response, over 60 comments! I never get tired of saying, “I have the best group of hot doggers on the web!!!”
-Steve
Steve,
Not only the best doggers around, but also the best forum for them to congregate.
Thanks for everything you do.
Thank YOU Papa.
-Steve
Great job y’all, now I have a question! How do you get more water pressure? I’m using the recommended water pump and using a lawnmower battery but when I turn the water on I get a little more than a trickle. I have to adjust the water heater quite a bit so that it fires up. I this common or have I done something wrong?
I don’t know what pump you have but that happened when I built my cart. The first pump I purchased from Harbor frieght was the less exspensive one, and the water just trickled out. I brought it back and got the better one, 200 gallons an hour. At 50 p.s.i. and the water comes out just like it does from your sink. The Item # is 94639. I hope this helps you. As far as the heater I not sure about that, it might have something to do with the water pump. Good luck. Pat. Also remember DO NOT START THE WATER PUMP WITHOUT YOUR WATER TANK FULL.
You probably have to many elbows. Each elbow is the equivalent of 8 ft of pipe!
Esteban, I have the same problem w/my rig and would be interested in some opinions.
Great forum, Steve! Great people, great ideas and help. Best forum on the web! You’ve turned this business into a fraternity! Can’t wait to get back out there in the spring!
Hi Steve
I’m looking for cold weather tips for working thru winter in new england.
1. how to keep buns warm on my cart besides steaming in pan. storage cabinet on my cart, has anybody rig up heater for bun storage cabinet?
2.freezing pipes,faucet?
any thoughts to make life easer.
thanks stan
Sell the dogs now….
Steve, Esteban/Stan, and all who have water pressure, cold weather/freezing water issues,
The info you are about to receive is from the world’s greatest procrastinator. I have followed and read Steve’s forum for some time. I am truly impressed with the sincerity and generosity of the majority of folks who respond in order to help others. If only the our political leaders could do the same.
Pat is probably dead -on with the response concerning the water pump. You may simply have a faulty pump. As a pump rotates to build pressure and move water, it allows a n amount to bypass within the pump itself. If the clearance is too great within any given pump, it will not build sufficient pressure. Also, pressure delivered at the faucet is a result of the volume and pressure-building capacity of the pump and the resistance (friction) within the lines, whether it be too small in diameter, too long, kinks in the line or as Glen stated, too many elbows or even a blockage in the line. Chances are that if you don’t have kinks in the line, a different pump is probably in order.
Water Heater: If you do not have adequate water flow, the water that is actually passing through the heater is heated too fast and satisfies the thermostat and shuts your heater down.
Now to the issue of freezing lines… I am “assuming” that most of those with this issue are speaking of during the day when you are actually operating your cart. If this is the case, one possible solution may be to add a small pressure/volume tank to operate in the manner of a well water tank in line after your pump with a pressure switch to operate your pump in the same manner as a well pump and install a by-pass line as close to the faucet as possible to allow the heated water to recirculate to the fresh water tank. This may also more simply be done using a timer to operate the pump periodically.
Blessings to all of you!! Hope this is of some benefit.
Procrastinator! and future dogger?
Leaking Gas Line/Fitting
Safety info for all: Pipe sealant of any type is not a permanent safe solution for a leaking gas line. If there is still a leak after the fitting has been tightened properly, you should trim off the end of the tubing and use the proper swaging tool to rework the end of the line in order to achive a proper seal.
Blessings to all!
Esteban,
I made the assumption that your battery is good and is fully charged. You may need a better battery.
adding rubbing alcohol to your fresh water tank will keep the water in the lines from freezing, too.