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jbrad13's avatar
jbrad13
Explorer
Nov 27, 2014

propane issue

Couple nights ago I saw it was going to get chilly so I started up the furnace and got it set for 62 and it kept us warm all night-heard the unit cycle properly. About 5 AM I woke up and realized it was cold in the coach. Inside temp was 55 and outside was 28. Tried to get the furnace to cycle; fan would come on and I could hear the unit trying to ignite but it wouldn't. Checked the tank and I was at half full. Tried to light the cook stove top and oven but they would not stay lit. Put the refrigerator on gas and it worked properly. Plugged the ceramic heater in to keep us warm for the rest of the morning.
Later in the day when the outside temp was up to 44, I tried everything again and everything worked! Furnace fired, cook stove top and oven lit.
This has never happened to me before. Comments? Assistance and/or tips appreciated.
  • When a propane tank gets low and it's cold the propane can't vaporize fast enough to supply a high demand device like a furnace.
    If the tank is really 1/2 full it would have to be pretty cold though for that to happen. That used to happen to me when the temp got down in the teens and the tank was around a 1/4 full.
    A regulator can freeze if there is moisture in it but I would think the refrigerator would not run in that case.
  • Is the gas mix for winter use, a mix of butane and propane? I agree that you have a cold weather problem. Have the tank filled and see if it persists.
  • Regulator probably froze. When they do they may allow a small amoutn of gas through but can't adjust to higher flow. You can put a light bulb under it to get it working again. But I would eventually replace it.
  • hmmm... I've been in below freezing weather running off of a 20# external tank connected to a Stay-A-While adapter with no problems.

    Having said that....




  • ScottG wrote:
    Regulator probably froze. When they do they may allow a small amoutn of gas through but can't adjust to higher flow. You can put a light bulb under it to get it working again. But I would eventually replace it.


    This.

    Bruce
  • when and where did you LAST fill that tank

    it might be Butane instead of propane..both are LP (liquid petroleum)

    propane has a much lower vapor point..it will turn gaseous and flow. while butane stays liquid
    in cold weather you can only use propane

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