parasitic drain

[cdcorpe]

My rv has a 12 volt valve for the propane tank with to much parasitic drain, is there a way to leave the valve in the open position without the battery drain? ( it has a manual shut off) I tried a large magnet, didn't seem to work. the only way to open the valve is with the switch on , using 12 volts.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Grab one. That'll learn the doubtful, fast...

[bigfootford]

Well this one pulls .78 amps... Geezzz.... Ampaholic is correct!

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C2276179%7C2276204%7C2276205%7C2276252%7C2276260&id=731...



Trident Marine 12 Volt DC Low-Pressure Brass Solenoid Kit

Features:

Connects between propane regulator outlet and supply line hose
Full flow 5/16" orifice and 3/8" FPT ports
Will not open with high pressure, and closes automatically with no or low electric current
Specifications:

Power: 12 Volt DC
Draws 790 mA when open
Fittings: reducing male hex nipple, 90° flare elbow
Dimensions: 2-5/8" H x 2" W x 1-5/8" D

[bigfootford]

cdcorpe wrote:
.7 is the amp draw for the valve.

Wow, that's a lot!

I can not imagine a design like that.

Pilot light thermocouples produce very small amounts of current. <> 30ma... .030 amps.
In turn they hold a gas valve open. That said I am really surprised that valve takes that much current.

Jim

[eric1514]

cdcorpe wrote:
Because it drains your battery while you are dry camping. It only uses 12 volts when it is open.

Makes sense. I was only thinking about when I'm parked at home.

A few ago, I had a Class C with a propane detector that controlled a shut-off solenoid but it drew almost nothing, not like the current version that is available now. When it went south, I found (on this forum) a gentleman who could rebuild it rather than replace it with a new one. Why our MH have this energy hog is a mystery.

[Vulcan_Rider]

cdcorpe wrote:
It is not tied to the detector, just a switch to turn off when refilling & when in storage.

IF that is true....important IF....and you can fairly easily reach the manual cutoff valve, then I see no good reason for it being there.

One safety possibility remains, however unlikely it may be:
What if some of the "appliances" that use propane would continue to try and work but not ignite if the battery goes dead, thereby "leaking" gas into the living space ?

I suspect this is just a "standard" configuration that was really designed for a different model where you could NOT easily reach the manual valve.

[cdcorpe]

.7 is the amp draw for the valve.

[bigfootford]

I do not see anyone posting how much current this valve pulls.

Most Dometic and Norcolds pull about .2 amps when the gas valve is on...

15 min on time 2 times an hour is .4ah.... 24 hrs X .4= 9.6 ah per day.

If that valve pulls about the same amps. .2 then 24X .2= 4.8ah per day.

Guess I would not be worrying about the extra 4.8ah a day...


Jim

[cdcorpe]

eric1514 wrote:

cdcorpe wrote:
My rv has a 12 volt valve for the propane tank with to much parasitic drain, is there a way to leave the valve in the open position without the battery drain? ( it has a manual shut off) I tried a large magnet, didn't seem to work. the only way to open the valve is with the switch on , using 12 volts.

I have that valve on my coach, also. I used to leave the propane on at home because...why not? My coach is always plugged into shore power. Then I felt how hot it gets while energized so now I turn it off.

I'm curious why you want to leave the valve open?

Because it drains your battery while you are dry camping. It only uses 12 volts when it is open.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

E CAVEAT EMPTOR for the unwary buyer. Another POWER PEDESTAL PRINCESS adventure.

[eric1514]

cdcorpe wrote:
My rv has a 12 volt valve for the propane tank with to much parasitic drain, is there a way to leave the valve in the open position without the battery drain? ( it has a manual shut off) I tried a large magnet, didn't seem to work. the only way to open the valve is with the switch on , using 12 volts.

I have that valve on my coach, also. I used to leave the propane on at home because...why not? My coach is always plugged into shore power. Then I felt how hot it gets while energized so now I turn it off.

I'm curious why you want to leave the valve open?

[dougrainer]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Not knowing what type of RV the OP has, if he has a motor home, then I agree with everyone above, it probably should not be removed for safety reasons. If this is a standard TT or 5er, I see no purpose for it being there. Perhaps that's why I've not seen one before. I didn't even think of it being part of a motor home set-up.

He stated he has Leisure Unity Van motorhome. Doug

[DutchmenSport]

Not knowing what type of RV the OP has, if he has a motor home, then I agree with everyone above, it probably should not be removed for safety reasons. If this is a standard TT or 5er, I see no purpose for it being there. Perhaps that's why I've not seen one before. I didn't even think of it being part of a motor home set-up.

[cdcorpe]

It is not tied to the detector, just a switch to turn off when refilling & when in storage.

[Vulcan_Rider]

enblethen wrote:
Some have the solenoid connected to the LP detector in the rig. When the detector senses the presence of LP or carbon monoxide it shuts off the propane.

Before you go replacing or bypassing it, you should be positively, absolutely sure that THIS is not how and why it functions.

If it really is tied to the safety detectors, you would be rather foolish to defeat it.....in my opinion.....and need to find another solution.