Propane Smell

[mpfireman]

This goes back several months, Jan 2016. We store our fiver in our sons pole barn year round except when it is in use. But my grandson called us early on day stating that there was a very strong smell of propane in the shed. The only thing that i could think of was that i might have left one of the propane tanks on. But i also told him to open both overhead doors, Manual opening, Do not turn on any lights, and if they are on, do not turn them off. No sparks needed. He stated that one of the tanks was not turned off tightly. So i guess the task now will be to locate where this gas was leaking from. Our unit is 18 years old, but always kept under cover unless it is on the road and still looks good. In our younger days we took trips lasting 6 to 8 weeks, Camping in Canada, Alaska, Visiting over 20 of our national parks, from Main To California. So i guess i will be looking for this leak? in May when we go to the farm.
Glad we took all of those trips when we were younger.

[Fulltimer50]

delete

[Clay_L]

post not needed

[mpfireman]

After suffering some medical issues, I finally returned to the scene of the crime. I know that propane is in both tanks, but until i remove them, and weigh them, i really can not tell how much. I turned on the stove, oven, and everything worked OK, no propane smell after 4 hours with everything shut off. I know where i can borrow a gas detector ( the ones used by gas co ) to really check everything out. But first, i need to fill both propane tanks thus establishing a starting point. As the use to say about old cars, GET OUT AND GET UNDER. Thanks for all of the replies.

[deepdoc1]

Other things that can smell very similar are waste tanks (make sure vents are working) and over-charged (cooked) batteries. Also, check tightness of all connections, and on an old rig, there may be dry rot in hoses.

[Boon_Docker]

Kayteg1 wrote:
I know it is hard to understand, but compare it to tires.
You pump the tire to 50 psi and it holds after 3 minutes, holds after a day, but might drop 2 psi after a month. Do you consider that a leak?
Gas molecules always will penetrate some materials and rubber hoses can't be make 100 holding. Just like tires.

Yes, I do understand the principle of what you are saying, it is called permeation.
But it has nothing to do with what you are saying about propane leaks in trailers by design.

Have a good day!

[Paul_Clancy]

Pigtail or regulator leak. Usually the red one on the far side of the split tank setup.

[beemerphile1]

Kayteg1 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

I take it you have never done leak testing before.

No so far, I am doing fine without Depends.
Thank you very much

RV manufacturers recommend a leak test done annually. I built a manometer for around $5 and test my own every year.

[mobeewan]

check the pig tail hoses at the crimps. As the hose ages it gets harder losing its ability to maintain a seal against the hose barb on the end fitting. Especially if the hose rotates on the fitting as the hose gets harder. Since the valve was slightly open gas could have leaked there. I have replaced seueral hoses myself due to this.

[Old-Biscuit]

Kayteg1 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

I take it you have never done leak testing before.

No so far, I am doing fine without Depends.
Thank you very much

That statement explains a lot.
Have a nice day.

[Kayteg1]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

I take it you have never done leak testing before.

No so far, I am doing fine without Depends.
Thank you very much

[Old-Biscuit]

Kayteg1 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

That is a far fetched theory. Sorry but way too many years dealing with pressurized systems to buy into that line of thought.

Sorry to hear real life doesn't meet your expectations, but neither it does mine.
Still nothing we can do about it. As you can read here, propane lines are consider good if they hold the pressure For 3 minutes
And that is for household use, where we have higher expectations, than in RV.

You do realize that '3 minute LEAK TIGHT' test is done at 0.33 psi (9" WC)
If any drop in that 0.33 psi occurs in the 3 minutes system fails.

Now do you realize just how little 0.33 psi IS ?

You whistle stronger than that.

SO YES 3 minutes is more than sufficient time to test leakage at that little bitty tiny psi.
I take it you have never done leak testing before.

[Kayteg1]

I know it is hard to understand, but compare it to tires.
You pump the tire to 50 psi and it holds after 3 minutes, holds after a day, but might drop 2 psi after a month. Do you consider that a leak?
Gas molecules always will penetrate some materials and rubber hoses can't be make 100% holding. Just like tires.

[Boon_Docker]

Quote from above link:

A drop in the pressure indicates a leak in the system. The
leak should be located using an approved leak detector or by using leak detection fluid. Once the leak is located, the section should be repaired and the system tested again.

I don't see there this indicates that a travel trailer is designed to have allowable small propane leaks.

[Kayteg1]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

That is a far fetched theory. Sorry but way too many years dealing with pressurized systems to buy into that line of thought.

Sorry to hear real life doesn't meet your expectations, but neither it does mine.
Still nothing we can do about it. As you can read here, propane lines are consider good if they hold the pressure For 3 minutes
And that is for household use, where we have higher expectations, than in RV.