Heating problem - I'm desperate

[Ger-annie-um]

I have a gas propane heater in my greenhouse which I have used for the past three years with no problems................... this year however every time the temperature falls below zero the pressure drops, the pilotlight goes out andwell you know the rest!! I've checked that I'm being supplied with propane gas rather than butane (someone said that can be a problem), We've lagged the hose and the cylinder. Anyone have any ideas? I will be the new best friend of anyone who can give me any clue of what is happening.

[PAULW]

The problem is you are lagging the bottle, you can lag the cold in rather than lagging the cold out, is the bottle inside or outside the greenhouse. At normal pressure and temperatures above -44F Propane remains in it's gaseous form.

[Ger-annie-um]

It's outside the greenhouse, in a sheltered spot out of direct sun which we thought was a good idea...... I would be soooooooooooo grateful if you came up with a solution. I didn't lag the cylinder until after the problem started, previous years everything 'naked' with no problems

[PAULW]

Well there is no point in dragging the bottle into the sun because it usually freezes at night the only other thing I can suggest is to make sure the jet for the pilot light is clean take it out and blow through it as any restriction of flow may be causing the problem.

[Ger-annie-um]

Hurrah - just in case anyone has the same problem. The regulator was upsidedown! apparently what looks like the normal way of fitting it is actually the wrong way! There is a very small hole at the side and this can fill with water, not normally a problem unless it gets very cold and the water that has leaked in freezes. Hey ho frozen water gas can't flow, heater goes out. Used gaws for 4 yrs and never had a problem - just shows you, you thought you knew it all - and then you find out you don't.