Propane not flowing

Topic: Propane not flowing (Read 1064 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane not flowing

September 29, 2018, 11:50:02 am

I have plenty of propane but nothing to furnace, stove etc. Turned the propane outside on of course. I know propane will flow because salesman turned on the stove a wk ago but not working for me
Cold her at wild horse casino in Pendelton, Or
Could use some heat

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #1 – September 29, 2018, 11:54:52 am

Sometimes it takes a lot longer than expected to get the LP flowing after being shut off for a period of time

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #2 – September 29, 2018, 11:58:25 am

Fridge on gas and working? Water heater on gas and working?

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #3 – September 29, 2018, 12:00:53 pm

Sometimes it takes a while to have propane restart if off a while. I have that issue with refrigerator sometimes.
Suggest turning propane off and that slowly back on then try stove. If done quickly I have heard sometimes something does not open correctly

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #4 – September 29, 2018, 12:02:27 pm

Your propane sniffer may have inadvertently been shut off.

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #5 – September 29, 2018, 12:03:27 pm

Make sure a CO detector is not blocking the propane from the coach. Easy to tell by trying to light the stove.

Pierce

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #6 – September 29, 2018, 12:08:03 pm

Thanks everyone for quick reply. How would I check to see if co is blocking propane?

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #7 – September 29, 2018, 12:20:53 pm

Thanks everyone for quick reply. How would I check to see if co alarm is blocking propane?

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #8 – September 29, 2018, 01:27:05 pm

There is a small two wire solenoid on the supply line near the tank . It has to click on with the co controller switched on. It is fairly audible if other loud items are not running . No click = no heat

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #9 – September 29, 2018, 01:54:51 pm

Quote

There is a small two wire solenoid on the supply line near the tank .

You can eliminate it when you have time or you can disable it by removing the little pintle inside of it. Here's a couple of photos.
jor

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #10 – September 29, 2018, 10:40:22 pm

Took advise and reset propane sniffer, took off co detector temp because it was said that could block propane. So stove and furnace not worling frig on auto so I guess that it is on electric because all indicators go off when I press gas. Generator is running on propane but nothing else. Makes no sense to me. Another night of layers. Anxious to see what the forum can come up with
Keeping you guys busy.
Sorry

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #11 – September 29, 2018, 11:35:46 pm

Here's a stab in the dark......
Not at the coach now, but I recall two shutout valves.
One liquid for generator, one gas for stove, water heater and fridge.
That would explain the generator working.
If equipped, are both valves open?

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #12 – September 29, 2018, 11:43:02 pm

What I would do. Turn propane off at the tank. Slowly turn it back on. Try to light the stove. I would give the propane lots of time to get there. If the stove fails too light I would try a little percussion on the regulator with the handle of a screwdriver. Try and light the stove again if it fails too light the regulator may be kaput. You can make sure the regulator is passing propane by disconnecting a line after the regulator and verifying that propane is passing through. Regulators are made to fail in the closed position. Hope this helps.

Roland

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #13 – September 30, 2018, 09:25:11 am

Suspect like our 1993, the propane generator is LIQUID, so it uses a completely different tank tap than the VAPOR TAP which supplies everything else.

Try turning OFF and back ON S L O W L Y the vapor tap. If the valve is opened too rapidly, sometimes the Excess Flow Valve will prevent flow.

Other than that, only potential points of failure are the solenoid valve (and propane sensor that controls it) and the regulator. Regulators are under $25. If that is the issue, let us know if your regulator is installed horizontal or vertical. Different regulators (same price) depending on which orientation-- they are NOT, repeat NOT interchangeable!

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #14 – September 30, 2018, 10:22:28 am

Two years ago I replaced my two, repeat: TWO regulators with one regulator, repeat: ONE regulator. Vertical orientation of the regulator. There is another regulator on the Onan generator itself.
Look for a regulator on the generator. If you have one there it is feasible to change the two regulators by the tank to one.
I got advice from others here on the forum that it wouldn't work, but two winters later I, the DW, Rocket, and the coach are still here, and the appliances all worked like they should.
One thing I just thought of. If really cold, the propane can almost stop flowing. Even the tank readout reads less than actual volume.
Keep in mind your coach is a whole lot different than the newer ones.
You can test your propane sniffer with a butane lighter (the one you use to light the stove). Light the lighter, blow out the flame, while holding the butane valve open, then hold the lighter so it blows the propane into the sniffer.Have someone put an ear close to the propane compartment, with the door open, and listen for the valve to operate. If everything is working OK try patience when lighting the stove burner.

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #15 – September 30, 2018, 07:34:43 pm

My sniffer had to be cycled 4-5 times the other day before i heard the solenoid open. Bought a new sniffer online, but it did not have they solenoid control.

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #16 – September 30, 2018, 08:16:04 pm

You can remove the solenoid control valve or modify it like jor showed. It is very simple to do.

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #17 – September 30, 2018, 08:36:17 pm

Portable heaters were discussed not long ago, I don't like being cold so I don't leave home without my Mr. Heater and a 5 gallon portable propane tank with a 12' hose.
Portable Buddy Heater, 9K Btu, Propane - Walmart.com

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #18 – September 30, 2018, 09:13:57 pm

If you're qualified and comfortable start disconnecting the fittings to see where the stoppage is.

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #19 – September 30, 2018, 09:48:09 pm

Most of the new sniffers do not have the solenoid attachment feature.

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #20 – September 30, 2018, 10:27:37 pm

My regulator is vertical and was recently added by RV dealer. Maybe a prob with the sniffer. Went off for no reason the other day and I reset it
Looks pretty old so maybe that is the culprit. Will replace in a couple of days when I reach the AZ Winter home. Crossing my fingers

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #21 – September 30, 2018, 10:38:39 pm

Try multiple switch on/off cycles and wait a couple of minutes between till you here the obvious click from the solenoid valve. Tapping on the valve may help.

Re: Propane not flowing

Reply #22 – September 30, 2018, 10:52:04 pm

Does your dashboard heat work? If not you may have to close a valve that goes to the motor hot feature of your water heater. My valve is located in a valve access port under the sink cabinet to the right side.

Affiliate Notice