It has been noted that some tanks manufactured by Coleman do not work with our Propane Adaptors properly. The design of the Propane Adaptor relies on an integral return spring to push the adaptor probe (centre moving part) outwards to lift the tank end of the probe off of the schraeder pin style valve inside of a disposable propane tank. In some tanks manufactured by Coleman, this does not occur which causes an annoying and possibly dangerous malfunction.
The malfunction results in the adaptor holding the tank valve open after the user has removed the magazine so propane continues to leak through the adaptor even though the probe is not pressed into the magazine valve. Removing the propane adaptor from the propane bottle pulls the probe off of the tank pin valve to allow it to close.
It is possible to determine if a propane tank will not work with an adaptor with a gauging tool which is included with current version propane adaptors. Gauging tools are also available for free for users of previous version adaptors. Users of previous version adaptors (V1, V2, V3, V4) can email: gauge@gungas.com requesting a free tank oring gauge which will be airmailed to them free of charge. Propane adaptor users are strongly advised to gauge their tanks before purchasing them and before installing a propane adaptor.
Airsoft Innovations is issuing this product bulletin to educate users of it’s products so they can avoid purchasing defective tanks and properly correct a malfunctioning adaptor.
An oring inside of propane tank valve fittings provides a seal between the bottle fitting and probes inserted into the fitting. This oring is inserted against a shoulder and a plastic retainer ring is pressed into the opening to trap the oring. It has been noted that most tank retainer rings are pressed into the opening such that they provide a small space between the oring and the lower face of the retainer ring. This small gap allows space for the oring to displace into when a probe is pressed through them.
In some propane tank fittings, retainer rings are over pressed which removes this space. Over pressing makes the oring behave as if it were made of a much stiffer rubber because it has no space to displace into. In some severe cases, the retainer ring is pressed such that it even crushes the oring into a lower height which reduces it’s inner diameter significantly.
Over pressed retainer orings can grip the tank end of propane adaptor preventing it from lifting off of the pin valve which prevents it from reclosing. Over pressed orings can also interfere with other products compatible with disposable 1lb propane tanks. Probes on other products such as a plumbing torch or camp stove can tear tank orings when they are forced into the reduced oring opening allowing propane to leak past a damaged oring.
If you have a propane tank with an over pressed retainer ring, and your propane adaptor is “locked open”, releasing gas uncontrollably, quickly remove the adaptor from the tank. Do not continue to use the over pressed tank with the adaptor.
Airsoft Innovations is now providing a simple gauge which can be used to indicate an over pressed oring. Users of previous version adaptors (V1, V2, V3, V4) can email: gauge@gungas.com requesting a free tank oring gauge which will be airmailed to them free of charge. Propane adaptor users are strongly advised to gauge their tanks before purchasing them and before installing a propane adaptor.
The tank gauge is simple to use. It is a simple bore gauge which indicates whether a retainer ring has been over pressed crunching the oring into a smaller diameter.
1. remove bottle fitting cover
2. place tank gauge into propane tank opening
3. allow tank gauge to fall through or against the tank oring
4. a gauge which cannot fall past the tank oring indicates an over pressed retainer ring
