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U280 propane slow again

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
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: U280 propane slow again

Reply #1 –
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.
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: U280 propane slow again

Reply #2 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: U280 propane slow again

Reply #3 –
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?
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: U280 propane slow again

Reply #4 –
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?
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: U280 propane slow again

Reply #5 –
Quote from: fouroureye –
Could oil be the issue...
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
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: U280 propane slow again

Reply #6 –
Ok, I'm still on the road..

System wide?

I will check oil.

McDonald's for breakfast.?
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: U280 propane slow again

Reply #7 –
Quote from: fouroureye –

System wide?


System wide= are all propane appliances non-functional (water heater, absorption refrigerator as well as stove/oven) or just the stove/oven?
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: U280 propane slow again

Reply #8 –
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.
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: U280 propane slow again

Reply #9 –
You can also buy an ounce gauge that reads from 0 to 30 ounces.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: U280 propane slow again

Reply #10 –
I just replaced all 3. Regulator, solenoid and inside alarm-control. I believe they should all be replaced every 5 years reguardless
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.