Propane Refill Problem

Topic: Propane Refill Problem (Read 850 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane Refill Problem

May 03, 2018, 12:28:00 pm

So we were at a campground and everything was working fine. On the 3rd fill-up, the tank would not accept the propane. It was as if the tank was full and it was not. We are in El Paso now and no one seems to know what could be wrong. Any suggestions? Is it a matter of just replacing a valve? I hope so. We have already spent a grip getting our baby livable. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #1 – May 03, 2018, 01:02:15 pm

You need to find a propane gas company ( not a retail store) and have them try to fill it, the retail shops don't have delivery pressure they do. If They can't fill it they will be able help
or tell you who can. I would call around first.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #2 – May 03, 2018, 01:02:59 pm

What kind of tank do you have and is the vent valve open,not sure what you mean on the 3rd fillup,do you have small tanks?

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #3 – May 03, 2018, 01:03:23 pm

Having had three coaches, I've never had a filler connection go bad. Have you taken the coach to another propane outlet? I'd be curious, also, how you are going through so much propane? I have had the main shut off valve go bad, and it is no fun, since a lot of service shops will not work on it until the tank is completely drained, and not be able to drain it on-site because of Fire Department regs. You will have to drain it if it's the filler tube. Good luck, let us know what's what!

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #4 – May 03, 2018, 01:07:04 pm

Quote from: John44 – May 03, 2018, 01:02:59 pm

What kind of tank do you have and is the vent valve open,not sure what you mean on the 3rd fillup,do you have small tanks?

I only mentioned the three times to illustrate that everything was working fine and the company we were using was fine. Thanks!

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #5 – May 03, 2018, 01:09:42 pm

Planning on going to "Q" next year,will bring my leak detector,free leak detection for the first leak.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #6 – May 03, 2018, 01:17:17 pm

Quote from: mike leary – May 03, 2018, 01:03:23 pm

Having had three coaches, I've never had a filler connection go bad. Have you taken the coach to another propane outlet? I'd be curious, also, how you are going through so much propane? I have had the main shut off valve go bad, and it is no fun, since a lot of service shops will not work on it until the tank is completely drained, and not be able to drain it on-site because of Fire Department regs. You will have to drain it if it's the filler tube. Good luck, let us know what's what!

Thank you! It wasn't a quick thing. We were in NC for the winter so we used the heat a lot. So this was after several months. I think the tank is empty because we can not get the generator on. We will take it to another place, but thought it odd that the first place could do it with no problem and then not. I hope it's not the main shut off valve.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #7 – May 03, 2018, 01:29:02 pm

Do you have no 'Tote Vision' gauge on the dash or gauge on the tank itself? I did learn (the hard way, natch) that the gen set will not fire when the propane is below 1/4. Gen set will not fire from the little aux bottle we have, as well. Those little bottles are sure handy when our coach is at the dock for a extended time: don't have to move it for re-fill, and I can keep the big tank full should we have a power outage or (perish the thought) need the gen for both roof airs at a 30 amp pedestal!

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #8 – May 03, 2018, 06:18:03 pm

The tank valve is sensitive to speed. If you spin it open too fast it will lock closed. Try opening it very slowly.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #9 – May 03, 2018, 09:09:32 pm

It sounds like the auto stop on the fill valve is stuck in the stop fill position. You might try using a piece of wood on the fill valve and hitting the wood with a fair sized hammer it might jar it loose.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #10 – May 03, 2018, 09:28:39 pm

Mine stuck shut when the delivery truck applied too much pressure to start. When he feathered his nozzle valve and got the 'hose pressure' running before turning on the truck pump, it worked well.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #11 – May 03, 2018, 09:32:53 pm

Quote from: red tractor – May 03, 2018, 09:09:32 pm

It sounds like the auto stop on the fill valve is stuck in the stop fill position. You might try using a piece of wood on the fill valve and hitting the wood with a fair sized hammer it might jar it loose.

Thank you! This sounds like what happened.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #12 – May 03, 2018, 09:46:38 pm

Quote from: red tractor – May 03, 2018, 09:09:32 pm

It sounds like the auto stop on the fill valve is stuck in the stop fill position. You might try using a piece of wood on the fill valve and hitting the wood with a fair sized hammer it might jar it loose.

Mr. Tractor is right. The fill valve is a simple stop valve. I just changed my out a couple of months ago so got to see it up close.

Use a dowel rod to push against the middle of the valve. I would think hand pressure would be enough but maybe do a tappy tap tap on the dowel with a hammer. See if you can get it to move. Some propane will escape if successful. CAUTION: It may stick open. Use hammer on side of valve to try to get it to close if this happens or run like hell!

see ya
ken

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #13 – May 03, 2018, 10:52:56 pm

Make sure all ignition sources, frig, heaters and such are off before applying the tap tap tap.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #14 – May 21, 2018, 11:47:47 am

Ok, so the hubby went to try the "tap" method, but there is a piece of mesh that is being held by the metal fitting that he cannot remove. He is doesn't want to remove the mesh because it appears to keep debris from getting in. Any suggestions outside of taking it to a repair place?

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #15 – May 21, 2018, 11:53:11 am

Mine failed to fill when the vent wasn't opened far enough. Guess the tank had too much pressure. Then the filler guy opened the vent valve up more, releasing more gas, and it filled fine.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #16 – May 21, 2018, 12:35:59 pm

I had a problem the 1st time I filled the tank on my current coach 3 years ago. The vendor got propane in and when he disconnected the hose, propane was leaking out. He gave it a whack with something and the leak stopped. He said it leaked because it had been a long time since it was filled. I have to assume he was correct because I fill it 2 or 3 times a year and it hasn't happened again.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #17 – May 21, 2018, 10:42:16 pm

If the 'tap' does not work, at that moment one may find the continued leak will be an explosive problem.

We recommend owning an emergency check-valve adapter, like the attached.

Propane Leaks

Fill Valve Adapter - Propane Warehouse

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #18 – May 26, 2018, 09:19:06 am

Read this:

Propane Tank float valve fitting Modification

Tom

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #19 – May 26, 2018, 10:22:12 am

Thank you! This looks do-able. We are going to hit a gas company on our way to the next locale. If it is not a pressure issue, then we will try this fix.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #20 – May 26, 2018, 12:27:50 pm

The screen you see just floats around in there. It moves inward when the fill pin is depressed. Maybe you had a inexperienced person trying to fill it. I'd try another place. This is not a technical part it is pretty simple pin pushes in when fill hose is connected and pin closed when hose is removed.

Re: Propane Refill Problem

Reply #21 – May 26, 2018, 01:48:02 pm

I stumbled across my old valve the other day. It was working fine when I replaced it but figured since I had the tank drained and the valve was 26 years old I might as well replace it while I had it apart.

It's just a big hunk of brass with a one way valve. The spring on the valve has very light pressure. I can easily open it with my little finger but that's without the propane providing any pressure to close it. With tank pressure it would take a serious malfunction to stick open.

see ya
ken

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