A question of filtering poor propane.

[Trackrig]

We've all seen posts over time about people with propane contamination problems. A lot of them report a black oily like gooey substance when they start working on their propane lines or appliances.

In another forum I was reading about using in-line filters on Big Buddy propane heaters. This made me think - we filter our water, our gasoline, our diesel fuel and our oil. Is there a filtering system for propane beside the little filters for the Buddy Heaters?

I've never had a propane problem and I'd like to keep it that way.

Bill

[Dusty_R]

Chris Bryant wrote:
I houses it is common to install a drip leg right before the appliance- this is for LP or natural gas. On an RV it's not too easy though.

More than common, they are required by most codes.

Dusty

[Chris_Bryant]

I houses it is common to install a drip leg right before the appliance- this is for LP or natural gas. On an RV it's not too easy though.

[Almot]

Trackrig wrote:
Is there a filtering system for propane beside the little filters for the Buddy Heaters?

Yes, This one. You install it right on the tank, before anything else. This is one of clones/variants of a well known Impco filter made for propane-operated industrial equipment like forklifts etc.

Little filters for Buddy are not much useful. Besides, - I don't have Buddy since am using more efficient cat heater - but the fittings on this Buddy filter appear to be heater-specific, not flare or MIP type.

Build-up of oil from propane does happen, and appliances like fridge or heater don't take it well. Using a rig for total less than 2 months a year, one may never experience a problem. Propane quality on this side of the border is (usually) good. Try going to Mexico and things become different. My heater is more sophisticated than open-flame Buddy, and I intend to keep it in a good shape.

[down_home]

I have wondered why there is no low point drain on Propane tanks.
Propane has a lubricant in it, that will accumulate over time.
I have heard/read several stories about this over the years.
We haven't had the problem and hopefully won't.
Only way I see to clan it out would be to turn the tank upside down after removing regulator and inside plumbing. I've heard of injecting some alcohol into the tank but I don't think so.
So why no low point drain? Oil is heavier than propane, isn't it?

[TurnThePage]

I had the problem once. It ruined a Mr Heater Buddy heater. I have since bought a fresh new hose and added a filter. I also switched to just using the 1 lb cylinders, that I refill myself, on my portable heaters with no more problems.

[allen8106]

The best solution is prevention. The goo is buid up of gunk in the tank. Have the tank cleaned next time you get it filled. Problem solved.

[tempforce]

as i mentioned in my earlier post, i only had problems in arizona and new mexico. all other western states, i never encountered any issues. i did learn to make sure and replace the cathode on my water tank on a yearly basis, due to water in the northwest being slightly acidic and the southern states being alkali. switching ph twice a year was the problem..

[azpete]

get your propane from a company that sells lots of it. the grease accumulates in older used storage tanks.
just like diesel fuel, propane gets old, and some of the components, such as the smell material, which has grease in it, separate and accumulate in the bottom of the big tank. when the suppliers tank gets low, its put into your lp system. ive seen an rv lp system filled up so bad, i had to disconnect the lines and run a swab on a wire thru it to clean it out. its a smelly, and nasty job.its not a common problem.

[weathershak]

I purchased an extend a stay kit over a year ago. I noticed that the hose for the external tank to the valve was short. I wanted to hook up to a larger tank some 70 feet away. After some research, I found out that you have to limit the distance if you hook up to a tank without a regulator or a gooey substance would form in the hose.

[beemerphile1]

Tom_M wrote:

...As stated previously, create a trap by putting a tee into the line with a length of pipe extending down below the tee and cap it off. A simple and cheap precaution.

Excellent idea and I intend to use it, however it is called a dirt leg, not a trap. It is done all the time in natural gas applications.

[Chris_Bryant]

Some refrigerators come with filters installed in the line- older Dometics always had one, Norcold had one in the inlet on the 1200- just a foam filter- https://www.arprv.com/norcold-will-not-get-cold.php

[SoundGuy]

Tom_M wrote:
Just because it has never happened doesn't mean it won't.

I don't think anyone is saying that but rather that for many of us this just hasn't proven to be an issue. If propane hose clogging was such a common problem then a drain port would be a standard feature but since it's not I suspect it's pretty safe to say this is actually a rare occurrence for most.

[Tom_M1]

LarryJM wrote:
Me neither ... makes me think this is a subject looking for an issue:?

I think I'll do what I have for the last 50+ years and not give it a second thought.

Larry

Just because it has never happened doesn't mean it won't. I'm camped next to a fellow RVer whose refrigerator stopped working on propane a couple years ago. He disconnected the propane line and oil ran out.

As stated previously, create a trap by putting a tee into the line with a length of pipe extending down below the tee and cap it off. A simple and cheap precaution.

[LarryJM]

SoundGuy wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
We've all seen posts over time about people with propane contamination problems.

Not me, nor have I ever had this issue with any trailer we've owned.

Me neither ... makes me think this is a subject looking for an issue:?

I think I'll do what I have for the last 50+ years and not give it a second thought.

Larry