Forum Discussion

guaranteed's avatar
guaranteed
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014

can not propane inside MH

Propane problem with just purchased used MH.
Unit is a 1987 Georgie Boy Encounter.

When purchased unit was hooked up to external propane tanks and all was working fine with Hot Water, stove, and furnace. External tank was hooked through its own regulator to house line without MH reg in use and house tank was empty. When I got unit home I stopped and had 10 gal of propane put in. Vent was open on tank but did not blow propane. I then hooked up original house regulator and slowly opened the tank valve. Gages inside show 1/2 full LG ob both dash gage
and gage on kitchen counter.No propane in unit and do not hear air or anything. I open the tank vent and get air and then I crack the nut from the tank output before the geg and just get continuous air.
I am not sure if I should shut tank valve and disconnect at reg then open valve till I get propane gas. Maybe I should take unit back in and have tank filled.
Very new to RV problems but want to be sure of what I do.Any help appreciated.
Bruce
Class A
  • katysdad's avatar
    katysdad
    Explorer
    Jan 13, 2014
    Check the propane detector. Most motorhomes have a LP detector that will shut off the propane by use of an electric valve just downstream of the regulator if fumes are detected. Most also take several minutes to warm up and allow power to valve. Either could be defective. Even if not, if over seven years old both pieces should be replaced as a set.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jan 12, 2014
    POST a photograph of the propane compartment.. The small valve they open when filling is the visual liquid overfill indicator valve.. When it starts spewing liquid (Which is seen as a dense white cloud) instead of Gas (Clear) the tank is full.. Many yammer about letting air out of the tank.. There is NO AIR in the tank (Assuming it has ever been filled) to let out. I've read some real funny stuff about that valve.. What I typed was fact.

    Possible issues:

    Tank valve not open
    Regulator failed due to foreign matter (oil) in the regulator
    Excess flow valve closed (Turn tank off, have a cup of electrically brewed coffee, then turn it on VERY VERY SLOWLY, if you hear gas flow, STOP, when you no longer hear gas flow CONTINUE, repeate till it's fully open).

    Well, that is as far as I can go. without more information.
  • guaranteed's avatar
    guaranteed
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    As I remember they had the external tank through a different reg and then into the M/H after the original reg, They had the M/H Reg disconnected.
  • guaranteed's avatar
    guaranteed
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    Ka Ron wrote:
    When they hooked up the external tanks did they use an extended stay in the line or did they unhook the line from the onboard tank?

    Here is what an extended stay valve looks like.....Sturgi - Stay

    Does your MH have a excessive flow valve on the tank? It may be faulty
  • Son_of_Norway's avatar
    Son_of_Norway
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    Welcome to the Forums. If the tank is full of air then you need to bleed it until you get propane out of the bleed valve. It is a good idea to check for air before every fill.

    Miles
  • Ka_Ron's avatar
    Ka_Ron
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    When they hooked up the external tanks did they use an extended stay in the line or did they unhook the line from the onboard tank?

    Here is what an extended stay valve looks like.....Sturgi - Stay

    Does your MH have a excessive flow valve on the tank? It may be faulty
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    It is correct to get gas (not liquid) out of the vents or fittings. It's the gas that's used. Is your LP detector on and functioning?
  • Captain_Happy's avatar
    Captain_Happy
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    welcome to the wonderful world of used RV's and there problems. I'd take the motor home back to where you bought it and get them to fix the propane problems.

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