Product feedback request from users of propane adaptors purchased in April or later
 

I released a slightly different build of the V4 propane adaptor starting middle of March. I have had two reports of propane adaptors which malfunctioned in a way which is concerning to me. The adaptors got stuck in the "open" state locking the valve open on the propane tank continually venting propane. I went through significant effort to prevent this so I would really like to figure out how this problem is happening.

I note that this error occured on the new high strength (HS) adaptor so I'm wondering if the problem is limited only to the HS build. I would be rather surprised if it was. The HS build shares the same probe design as the regular adaptor. The only difference is the material used.

Have users of V4 propane adaptors had "lock open" malfunctions? I am particularly interested in users who have purchased an adaptor in April or later.

If you have a malfuction to report, please add your post here and include the date you placed your order so I can try to trace the batch your adaptor came from. I am also interested in other adaptor malfunctions.

Thanks for your feedback. Knowing about malfunctions in the field helps me address design and manufacturing issues with my product.

I own a second gen Version 4 (post-recall) with which I've experienced one "lock open" incident. I've had it since some time last year so this predates the current version by a considerable time span. The only other issue has been the staking around the probe was insufficient to keep it captive and it tends to push its way out occasionally, which is a minor issue. I'm fully satisfied with the product and its performance.

Awww crap I just bought one of those...

I have a V4 and have probably gone through almost all of a full propane bottle. No lock issues here.

What is "post recall V4s"? I bought a V4 last year, no idea what version it is. Only problem I've had with it was early on, left the adaptor nozzle in place because it was a real bugger to pull out, put my propane in my bag after a game and 10mins later in the truck we smelled propane. I unscrewed the adaptor and smoothed out the bottom lip (the one that keeps the probe held in the adaptor so it's easy to put in and take out.)

While using Bartek's HS adaptor, and finishing off a tank, it would lock open every time. This only happened when the tank was cold.

it doesnt do it anymore.

It was only ever doing it at the end of the tank though.

I'm still trying to figure out the size of the problem. I don't often get to see statistically infrequent failures, but I have to follow up on what I hear about my product in the field. If you have problems with your new adaptor, I'll replace it free of charge. I do ask that you return your adaptor so I can inspect it and try to find out how it's malfunctioning.

It's the harsh test I face when I mass produce something. I can test prototypes and samples to death, but after scattering thousands across the world, it's hard to be perfect every time.

I changed the staking tool and adjusted the depth of the shoulder at the top of the probe for the new build of V4
to address the light staking issue. The new build of V4 is kind of megastaked into place. I takes a vise and a hammer to remove the probes now.

I issued a product recall about a year ago after catching a mistake made by my machinist. About 80 defective adaptors were sent out while fulfilling a large amount of back orders which prompted my product recall. I think I managed to nearly completely deal with all recalled adaptors. I have only 3 unaddressed recipients of suspect adaptors (some adaptors were ok). 2 dead email addresses, one no reply.

The retention feature at the bottom of probes is a design legacy from pre V4 adaptors which had removable probes. I intended to keep the probe design reverse compatible with pre V4 builds so users of the older versions could keep their adaptors working with replacement probes (if they mashed them somehow).

I have enough spare probes with the retention feature so I changed the new build of V4 to not include this:

http://www.ascarmoury.com/popup_imag...ID=343&image=3

Easier to remove now, but the probes from new V4 would not work well in pre V4 adaptors because they fall out pretty much every time without the oring retention.