Re: Has anyone used Safety+PLUS® Appliance Excess Flow Valves for their propane torches?
Appliances receive gas in ounces of pressure, not pounds, so what you found in their flyer makes sense. Excess flow valves work by shutting off the flow of gas if flow increases beyond set limits on the outlet side of the valve. They will not stop gas flow due to a slow leak in your hose or fittings.
I'm an engineer with a natural gas distribution company, and part of my work involves approving gas services to people's houses, including the use of excess flow valves in natural gas service lines.
If anyone does find an excess flow valve (EFV) they think would work, PLEASE follow the instructions and specifications to the letter. The valve should be installed as close as possible to the source of the gas (the tank), and the gas pressure must be within the range of specs for the EFV. If the pressure is too high or too low, or the amount of gas you use is outside the specifications of the valve, it will not work correctly. Your gas may be instantly shut off before you start, or the valve may never close even if you have a major leak. The EFV should be rated for use with propane.
Something else you should know: the EFV will add hydraulic equivalent length (technical term) to your hoses. What this means in practice is that adding an EFV to your system will make your gas pressure lower at the torch.
Hope this information was helpful and not too technical.
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