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propane

I just put in 33 gallons of propane after it sat empty of propane over the winter. But when I try to light the pilot on the stove nothing happens. Is there some switch or something to get the propane to come up to the stove?  :-(

Susan
1990 36' GrandVilla U280

Re: propane

Reply #1 –
My only suggestion is to look in the same compartment that houses the tank.  There should be a valve (not too unlike an outdoor water faucet) that you turn.  Check there first.

And, welcome to ForeForums.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: propane

Reply #2 –
Thank you, George. You were exactly right. I turned that knob on the tank, and then I was able to light the pilot on the stove. If the bus sits empty for a week or more, I guess I should close off that knob to save propane. But for now, next I am going to try getting the refrigerator up and running and the hot water heater.  I am learning all the systems for the first time.  :)
1990 36' GrandVilla U280

Re: propane

Reply #3 –
I have noticed trying to light a pilot light which is not much volume of gas is sometimes hard to do.  I will instead light the stove and make sure I have good fuel first, then light the pilot.  Same with getting the refer. to light or catch on my old trailer after the system had been off at the tank for a while.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: propane

Reply #4 –
Susan, Propane is heavier than air and when piping is not in use the gas will settle into the lowest spot in the system.  Once you get pressure in all the piping everything should be all right.  If not you should have a qualified gas service check the pressure at the regulator.  Shutting off the main valve between uses probably does not help as propane will settle out again.
Good luck
Gary B

Re: propane

Reply #5 –
So, I got the stove burners to all light, and their pilot. And I got the hot water heater to light and heat water. Now I have the dometic frig on. The freezer is below 32, but the frig part is either really slow to cool, or not working. Of course, there is no food, or anything to take up space, and hold temperature. Is that a common experience for the refrigerator to cool after the freezer gets cold?
1990 36' GrandVilla U280

Re: propane

Reply #6 –
Quote
So, I got the stove burners to all light, and their pilot. And I got the hot water heater to light and heat water. Now I have the domestic frig on. The freezer is below 32, but the frig part is either really slow to cool, or not working. Of course, there is no food, or anything to take up space, and hold temperature. Is that a common experience for the refrigerator to cool after the freezer gets cold?

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Susan,
Yes, absorption refrigerators are VERY slow to cool down compared to household refrigerators. And Yes, the freezer usually gets colder first.
It may take 12 to 24 hours for the refrigerator side to reach 35, even if empty, no matter if on propane or electric. Your freezer side may eventually reach only 5-10 degrees when it is 75 outside and because it is 32 now, then you might wait a while to evaluate the either side. An instant reading temperature gun is very helpful, and maybe educational, when checking the different levels inside.

Check the position of the sliding temperature sensor on a wire clipped to the fins on the refrigerator side - moving it up or down on the fin is the temperature adjustment . Many folks set the controls at a medium setting (maybe 3) and then adjust the fin sensor to produce refrigerator temps of 38-40 when it is 75 outside. Of the sensor fell off, then that is a big clue. It also helps to put only cold food into both sides of an RV refrigerator. That causes far less recovery time to reach normal temperatures again.  Patience!
You should check the door seals to see if you have any air leaks. It should 'hold' a dollar bill lightly when pulled through all the way around each door. Keeping the door shut make a big difference. Constant opening of he doors to check temperatures just slows the process down.

You might give your year and model coach at your signature each time to help other help you.
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: propane

Reply #7 –
We don't know what year or model of coach you have so our answers are very much guesses. However, from what you describe it sounds like you have a coach from the early 90's or older. The gas/electric refrigerators are very slow to cool. You can expedite the cool down by placing a bag of ice in the fridge. With no food in it it can take two days to cool down properly in hot weather. When working properly the freezer will be down to zero and the fridge between 36 and 42 degrees.

When we had a pilot light for the stove, we never lit it. We just used a butane fire lighter or match to light the gas burner when we needed to use the burners. This method cuts down on heat in the coach and the waste of propane since the stove is not used all that often. The water heater and furnace both have electronic ignition so they only use gas when it is needed.

Keep in mind, your coach probably has a propane sniffer safety system that will turn off a valve down near the tank if it senses propane in the coach. It probably has a small green light that flashes showing it is working and an alarm will go off when it senses gas. If you don't reset this switch, it will not allow any propane in the coach. Some of these older sensors are pretty touchy and hard to reset but be patient. I used to use the vacuum to clean the sensor. This safety sensor is not turned of by the Master 12V electric shutoff.

Good luck and welcome to the Forum. This is the best place you will find to become familiar with your wonderful new to you coach. You chose the best!!!
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback
 

Re: propane

Reply #8 –
Air must be expelled from lines. Just keep stove burner open for a while and keep trying to light it. Make sure (vapor) valve is open on tank.

Some Foretravel motorhomes have an automatic electric shut off solenoid on the tank's lines. This shut off is controlled by a propane detector mounted near the floor in the kitchen. Failure of detector or if detector is turned off, no propane will flow in these motorhomes.