Propane leaks during storage.

[opnspaces]

Is it normal to have to bleed air from the system when you get your rig out of storage? I do shut the propane off when I drop the trailer off for storage. And I always considered it normal to have to bleed the air out to get ready for a trip. But lately I've been wondering if this is normal, or if I have a leak. So I figured I would see what your experiences are.

Do you (you personally not you hypothetically) have to bleed air out of your system if you shut the propane off for an extended period of time?

Oh as far as normal. I realize that by design there should be no leaks during storage unless you open the system somehow. But with how cheaply these components are made I would consider it normal if the majority of you also have to bleed the air out every time.

[Old-Biscuit]

Normal to have to 'bleed' propane system after non-usage

BUT you are NOT bleeding AIR out of the system.
When all propane appliances are tuned off the LP Reg goes into 'lock-up' mode to prevent HIGH System pressure (static)

Then when placing system back in service the REG needs to come out of 'lock-up' status and establish flow----need a demand to do so.
At 11"WC (0.4psi) establishing that FLOW thru out the system can take several minutes and lines to each appliance will need to have flow fully established by those individual appliance gas valves opening.
Some will require several attempts due to appliance gas control/flame sensing.

Stove top is easy due to NO flame sensing ----turn knob, spark/match and light the flame.
That first demand palces REG in service and starts establishing flow

Propane has a narrow ignition window and until proper flow is established the air/fuel mixture will be unbalanced so it may seem like 'air' is coming out but it really is propane at low pressure which needs to come to full sstem pressure so that the correct air can be pulled in thru appliance burner 'air' inlets to mix with the propane at full pressure for correct combustion ratio

NO AIR.....just low propane flow/pressure

Absolutley NORMAL

[opnspaces]

BFL13 wrote:
How long a time is "extended"? All winter or between trips because there is no parking at home?

Maybe not the same as with bottles, but if the big tank in our Class C is turned off for a few days, and then opened, it takes a couple of tries to get the furnace to light, but the stove lights up ok.

That's a good question about the length of time in storage. I don't think I've noticed an issue with a week between uses. But the majority of my storage is a month or more between trips.

[ford_truck_guy]

Normal.... been doing that for MANY years.... I used to start with the high output burner first, when I had 1. .

[Lwiddis]

I need to bleed most of the time...twenty seconds or less at the stove and then the fridge lights very quickly.

[BFL13]

How long a time is "extended"? All winter or between trips because there is no parking at home?

Maybe not the same as with bottles, but if the big tank in our Class C is turned off for a few days, and then opened, it takes a couple of tries to get the furnace to light, but the stove lights up ok.

[ScottG]

Yes, absolutely normal.