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Topic: Aux propane bottle? (Read 1227 times) previous topic - next topic

Aux propane bottle?

We're in a nice park, but a real bearcat to get in and out. Running low on propane and noticed the PO put a hose and ball valve in. Will any propane bottle work after shutting off the main?  Will the gen set work off the bottle, as well? Thanks for any insight.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #1 –
Works great as long as you plump the portable before the main tank regulator and DO NOT put another regulator on the portable tank. Not sure why he has 2 valves, I just close the main tank valve and open 1 valve from the portable.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Twig –
  Not sure why he has 2 valves, I just close the main tank valve and open 1 valve from the portable.
Thanks, I think the other b.v. is to shut the gen set down, which is not a bad idea.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #3 –
Looks like (no, I did not to that) the top hose with the POL attachment is for an auxiliary propane supply.

The lower ball valve is to shut off propane to the generator.  When storing it, particularly if indoors, much better to NOT leave a hose full of high pressure (pre-regulator) propane.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #4 –
Got a bottle & gauge from HD, under $50.00. Shut-off the main and tested for leaks/operation. Works fine, small enough for me to lug around, will see how long the propane lasts.  ^.^d  Yes, the bay door has to be slightly open for the external hose, but the entry door works great, still on the rubber stopper. A rubber maid stool with holes drilled should take care of rain drainage.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #5 –
Interesting: power just went out here, decided to hit the gen-set, needed a work-out anyhow. Would not run off the aux bottle, but after I shut the bottle and the ball valve off and went to the main tank, working as advertised!  Hmm.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #6 –
The new "safety valves" will not allow the volume  of vapor needed to run a gennie...hit the garage/ estate sales and pick up an older tank with a good valve or talk nicely to a propane distributor tech.
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: saddlesore –
The new "safety valves" will not allow the volume  of vapor needed to run a gennie..
Not a big deal, since I had that thought, as well, but good advice for anyone who goes ???? when the gen set works not from the bottle.  ^.^d  The bottle is a great idea when sitting on the pier, but, if the gen needs help, nice to have some fuel in the big tank, which is why I put in the bottle, and kept a 1/2 tank of storage, just in case.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #8 –
Aux propane bottle has quit, just filled, no furnaces, no stove. Went to the big tank, fine. Hmm, looked at the el cheapo gauge I got last year, could smell that smell and the gauge was not where it should have been, being full. Went back to the big box and found another, same brand, all they had, and installed it. Fine, so far. The original lasted barely a year, guess where it was made?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #9 –
Did it quit right after you filled it. If so try again sometimes the ball check valve sticks and you have to really tighten where it goes to the tank.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: Aux propane bottle?

Reply #10 –
Mike. is the photo one you just took of the main tank as the gauge shows lots of fuel in it. we can run more than a month with that much.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.