Yesterday I tried to turn on the water heater and kept getting the dreaded red light. I went outside to check my tank and the gauge read totally empty- last week it was just below 1/2 of a 42 gallon tank. I thought the gauge was wrong since I had not put in propane since last November 2, so I took the coach to get it filled up. When we got 39 gallons in and shut off, we heard a hiss and smelled propane. We quickly found the regulator was leaking badly, so I turned off the valve to save the propane.
I had to search for a 2-stage regulator, but found one and with several trips to TSC and the local plumbing supply store, I finally got the regulator replaced along with some fittings that broke while I was taking things apart. I used a stainless steel gas hose ( flexible) with the new fittings and regulator, got it all done, tested for leaks, tried the stove and water heater- all is working with no leaks. This was the original regulator with fittings- 17 years old, 142000 miles down the road.
I lost about 20 gallons of propane due to the regulator going bad, but it could have been much worse. Luckily our compartment is ventilated on the bottom so the propane didn't concentrate and come into the cabin.
The night before Karen told me she smelled something funny, I couldn't smell it because I was sick, so we thought it was the trash and it was taken out. I share this with you all to try to take anything out of the ordinary serious until you find the cause. We did not smother or have a fire, but................
We have great machines, but they are machines and will break. Be careful out there, have fun with your families and friends, and cya down the road............... ^.^d
Have to ask,what about your propane detector?
Ted,
Make sure you got the correct regulator.
They are two stage, and the important thing is that the vent (dime size screened opening) point DOWN. This is really important from a safety standpoint.
So, if the regulator is orientated vertically the vent has to be on the long axis of the regulator.
If installed horizontal, the vent has to be perpendicular to the long axis of the regulator.
The two are the same price and often just one PN different.
I got the slightest hint of propane when I was looking in the drawer above so brushed a little soap mixture on the regulator. Sure enough, a bubble was slowly forming where the vent was. About $20 bought a 2 stage regulator with a vent oriented down when installed. It was about an inch longer so had to make up a small strap so it would not vibrate.
Pierce
Our main shut-off leaked. Outside, we could smell it (so could the neighbors) but the new detector did not go off. I hate to say it, but I spilled some Jamesons later, inside, and the detector told me how clumsy I was. :-[
Dave- propane detector did not go off. I hit the test button and it works, but obviously there was not enough propane in the coach to make it go off. The leak was at the regulator by the propane tank under the coach
While I was the motorcade service rep I found out that the ladies could smell propane leaks much quicker than the men, never had a doubt if the lady smelled it.
We've been married for forty years, and have had coaches nearly that long. Maybe our noses are not what they used to be, but we BOTH KNOW when propane is concerned! ^.^d
My sniffer is usually pretty good, but with this cold or allergies or whatever that is stuffing me up, it is not working worth a hoot..... ;)
The propane regulator on my 1996 suddenly started leaking about a week ago, but fortunately I could smell the mercaptan agent so shut off the propane before losing very much. I bought a camco regulator which looked identical at the local Lordco Dealer. An exact replacement and nothing broke during disassembly. Maybe for safety, everyone with late nineties coaches would be wise to carefully check their regulators for leaks. I dismantled the old regulator, but could not find an obvious leak (i.e. no pin holes in the diaphragm) but the leak was in the second stage.
While at "Q" the other year I checked a few coaches with a good gas detector,found most of the leaks at the shutoff valve stem.
Some of them can be tightened.
Replaced the main fill valve as its internal seal was leaking. Pressure present when you took off the cap
No one would work on ours until we drained the tank, and not at their places, F.D. regs. One place sent me to a spot out in the boonies where I could drain it down. Even "drained", it sure made a big "poof" when we pulled the valve!