On demand gas regulator?

Gene, there are times when you really need an on demand regulator and times when you don't. I would say that in general a throttling engine does not need an on demand regulator for an engine that is being shown and not run at any kind of power level. Especially knowing you, you are sitting there watching it run so if it dies you can cut off the propane.
Some engines by design don't need one. For example my McDonell and Brannen two stroke oilfield engine has an on demand function built in to the intake (the intake valve blocks the propane when it is closed) so it does not need one.
I would think that a hit or miss type engine would benefit from one. For example my 20 HP single valve Simplex has no built in valve to shut off the propane, so it always has enough propane flowing to fill the cylinder with the right amount of propane when the time comes. As a result you can see the propane pouring out the intake when the engine is not having an intake stroke. It really wastes propane running on a bbq regulator.
You have seen my Evans 15 HP, that big green engine that sat across from you at Lindsay a few years back. It has an on demand regulator, but it is a much larger unit than the Garretson that everyone has recommended up to now. It receives liquid propane from the tank and converts it to gas at the regulator, then the gas passes a relatively short distance to the mixer. It has the engine's liquid cooling line run through it so it does not freeze up. That engine probably does not really need an on demand regulator since it is a throttle engine. In fact I have run it with just a bbq regulator at shows when my on demand regulator went out with no problems. But if I run that regulator without coolant flowing it will freeze up in minutes.
I have another engine that has the same basic setup as well but I don't think you have seen it. It is also a throttle governed engine so it probably does not need one, but I keep using it for the simple reason that it moves the problem of the propane tank freezing up from the tank to the governor where the engine coolant can prevent it.
When I get my 20 HP Olin ready for shows it will have an on demand regulator because it is a hit or miss with no shutoff as far as I can tell. The Single Valve Simplex will have an on demand regulator when you see it at shows this summer to keep from wasting propane. But it will have one of the larger units to keep from freezing up the propane tank as well.
So the real answer to your question is, it depends. If you have a throttler that is not causing tank freezing problems, don't worry about it. Just use a bbq regulator. If you have a small hit or miss the Garrett that everyone pointed to would probably be beneficial. If you have a larger engine or one that is freezing the tank you probably should use one, but the Garrett would not help a bit with that problem, you would just freeze up the Garrett. You would need one of the larger units like is used on propane forklifts and such that takes liquid propane and that is plumbed into your coolant line for that application.
See you at some shows this summer!

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The SRG Adjustable High Pressure Jumbo Regulator, when used with the SRG cylinder valve, reduces the high gas pressure in the cylinder to the outlet pressure, from 0-2 bar of pressure. This is the ideal pressure required for the operation of torches, burners and furnaces for commercial and industrial applications. (Single stage regulation with reinforced diaphragm) The body and cover of this regulator form a sealed unit after assembly in order to prevent any external interference which may affect the regulating mechanism. No tools are required to connect the regulator to the valve

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Features of the SRG Adjustable High Pressure Jumbo Regulator

• Reduces high gas pressure in cylinder to outlet pressure


• Outlet pressure of 0-2 bar


• Ideal for torches, burners and furnaces


• Sealed unit to prevent interference


• No tools required to connect