Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: fouroureye on March 13, 2020, 10:00:16 am

Title: U280 propane slow again
Post by: fouroureye on March 13, 2020, 10:00:16 am
I have now replaced my regular twice in 6 years.. now it's slow at the stove again

Any idea what the issue is? 3/4 tank all fine yesterday
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: wolfe10 on March 13, 2020, 10:03:18 am
Propane REGULATOR?  What is propane pressure (measured with manometer)? 

Do other propane appliances work as they should?

Assume the electric solenoid at the tank is clicking open as it should. And that you have tried closing the tank valve and then opening it again.
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 13, 2020, 10:25:14 am
Assume the electric solenoid at the tank is clicking open as it should?
To expand a bit on Brett's comment concerning the "electric solenoid at the tank"...

The electric solenoid is controlled by the propane alarm (sniffer) inside your coach.  If the alarm is "happy" it sends current to the solenoid valve mounted near the regulator.  The solenoid coil pulls up a "pintle" inside the valve, and allows propane to flow.

If the propane sniffer inside the coach is not happy (alarming), it cuts current to the solenoid and the pintle drops, closing the valve.

If the coil on the solenoid valve is getting weak, or the valve is dirty inside, it may not open completely.  This could restrict flow.

You can take the valve apart (after shutting off the main valve on the propane tank) and clean it out plus check condition of O-ring.

Some Forum members have removed the pintle from the valve.  This permanently disables the valve and prevents any future problems.

See link below:

Propane not flowing (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=35142.msg327186#msg327186)
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: fouroureye on March 13, 2020, 10:45:19 am
Nothing else is running propane..

Yes shut off valve, then slow on.

Shutting dow frige, solinoid is open. Used 2 step regulator both times, this will be 3rd replacement.

Could oil be the issue, temperature?
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: wolfe10 on March 13, 2020, 10:51:36 am
Does the water heater work? Does the refrigerator (if still an absorption refrigerator) work on propane?

Said another way, is this a  system-wide issue or stove/oven issue?
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 13, 2020, 10:57:13 am
Did you try dropping the rubber hose between propane regulator and distribution manifold (mounted on bay wall) to check for oil accumulation?

No propane oil (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=23200)
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: fouroureye on March 13, 2020, 11:48:05 am
Ok, I'm still on the road..

System wide?

I will check oil.

McDonald's for breakfast.?
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: wolfe10 on March 13, 2020, 11:52:24 am

System wide= are all propane appliances non-functional (water heater, absorption refrigerator as well as stove/oven) or just the stove/oven?
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: fouroureye on March 13, 2020, 12:35:01 pm
Brett, ALL are low flow.
Stove lights normal then burns low
Water heater lights but take forever to heat, yesterday 15min was hot
Fridge went from 40 yesterday to 45 today...

Home tomarrow.  LAST TIME this happened, replaced regulator... everything worked fine, that is why I'm thinking oil in line like Chuck said.
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: John44 on March 13, 2020, 12:37:46 pm
You can also buy an ounce gauge that reads from 0 to 30 ounces.
Title: Re: U280 propane slow again
Post by: dans96u295ft on March 13, 2020, 12:54:15 pm
I just replaced all 3. Regulator, solenoid and inside alarm-control. I believe they should all be replaced every 5 years reguardless