Propane tank problem

Follow up on problem with LP cylinder. There was also another problem with the LP system. The LP Automatic changeover valve was also defective causing confusion over the gas flow. I replaced the changeover valve along with replacing one of the old LP cylinders and now the system is fine.

Thanks for all the advice as all of it had some merit to the situation. By the way the cylinder is now working since I dropped it hard several times on its bottom dislodging the stuck valve.

Recommendation: Keep the reciept when you re-fill.. Butane is less expensive than propane and selling it as Propane is FALSE ADVERTISING.

Others have explained that Butane has a vapor temp of around the freezing point of water where as Propane (Rounded) is forty below (your choice of scale).

NOTE: in neither case is that the exact temp. but it is close enough for this post.

Another issue.. IF it is a portable tank with outside threads (ACME) connectors then the trailer hose has to fit on quite tight, There is a valve that must be depressed or propane does not flow.

The reason for this...
There is a plastic washer in the hose end fitting, if it melts the part that goes into the valve will move out a little bit (Melts due to say a fire) shutting off the gas flow.

I would hesitate to vent the vessel/cylinder/bottle into the air. Make sure that there is nothing in the bottle valve outlet/connector that is preventing the hose from FULLY seating when tight. The connection has to be tight or the inner valve of the bottle will not open. Even a tiny speck of rock or ? would prevent the hose from seating properly. Sometimes just a short burst of propane at the filling station will free the inner valve and you will be OK.

Cheers

Mike

You might try opening the bleed screw a little for a couple of seconds. I had to do this one time to free up a stuck valve in one of my tanks.

Dixie Flyer wrote:
.... and put the one not working in the garage where it is warmer ...

Be carefull. I hope you have a gas detector with an alarm in there too.

Look in Yellow pages for a local LP distributor. They have methods & tools to remove the LP from the cylinder and replace the valve.
Do not just bleed off all that LP into the air around you. You never know who might flick a cigarette.

mpfireman wrote:

dbbls wrote:
Drop is on the bottom a few times. The OPD valve may be stuck.

Best Answer.

I have that problem with my 5lb tank. Dropping it opens it up.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Just a little clarification.
You have 'cylinders' not 'tank'....'tanks' are used in MHs & cylinders on trailers. Different set ups.
Also 'tanks' in MHs will have an emergency shut-off solenoid activated by LP Detector.....cylinders do not have shut-off via LP Detector (just alarm)

Your cylinder valve is stuck closed.....it may open when temps come up but if dropping it on hard surface didn't dislodge it you will probably need to have the valve replaced. The propane will have to be bleed off via the bleed screw, valve replaced, tank purged/refilled and it may have to be requalified (re-certified) due to valve having to be replaced.
The part that is stuck is internal of fitting right at end where pigtail screws on......not to be confused with the OPD part of valve assembly which is a float connected to bottom end of valve assembly.

In long run cheaper to have bought the new cylinder.......
Bleed the propane off of old tank, remove the valve and turn old cylinder into an 'air cylinder'

Thanks for the information. I purchased a new Cylinder and put the one not working in the garage where it is warmer to see if it might work later on when the weather turns warmer.

Just a little clarification.
You have 'cylinders' not 'tank'....'tanks' are used in MHs & cylinders on trailers. Different set ups.
Also 'tanks' in MHs will have an emergency shut-off solenoid activated by LP Detector.....cylinders do not have shut-off via LP Detector (just alarm)

Your cylinder valve is stuck closed.....it may open when temps come up but if dropping it on hard surface didn't dislodge it you will probably need to have the valve replaced. The propane will have to be bleed off via the bleed screw, valve replaced, tank purged/refilled and it may have to be requalified (re-certified) due to valve having to be replaced.
The part that is stuck is internal of fitting right at end where pigtail screws on......not to be confused with the OPD part of valve assembly which is a float connected to bottom end of valve assembly.

In long run cheaper to have bought the new cylinder.......
Bleed the propane off of old tank, remove the valve and turn old cylinder into an 'air cylinder'