Propane alarm went off after switching tanks

[mleekamp]

Never had this happen before. Salem 27DBUD TT with dual 20lb propane tanks. I used one tank up and then, SLOWLY, opened the valve on the other full tank. Closed the valve on the old. 15 minutes or so later, propane alarm goes off. Since its hard wired in, I could not shut it off. You could smell a small, I do mean small faint wiff of gas under the kitchen sink. Propane alarm is by kit sink.

I checked all fittings...all were tight. Hot water heater was only thing we were using that needed gas. Aired out the trailer, alarm never went off again. Could this have been a surge of propane that escaped? Is it a fluke? What gives? We have switched tanks before with no problem.

Note: tanks out front of the TT. no hoses/lines were removed, just valve open/close.

[cyntdon2010]

sounds like the gas line on the tank has a leak...(check it with soap and water). Is the rubber hose brittle or hard ?

[JJBIRISH]

if it was from the water heater check and make sure that everything is sealed good so escaping gas can’t enter the inside of the trailer… rubber grommet cracking or worn out or maybe some silicon sealer where the line goes from inside to outside…

also make sure the oven is completely off… many are pilot lit and they have 2 off positions, off and pilot off…

you could also check the water heater gas valve to make sure there isn’t any seepage from it…

it may have been a fluke or even the wind… you just need to be certain…

[mleekamp]

its under the sink where the propane alarm is. i would agree....burner might have been trying to light before/during the switch. at the time, it seemed like a fluke...because it didn't happen again. but, good to know alarm works.

[AirForceAngler]

Perhaps the igniter on you water heater is having an issue with relighting the burner after the switchover. Is your water heater under the sink area? Or under the same cabinet set where the gas could seep that way?

[mleekamp]

thanks for the info. no pilot lights...everything is spark. it does have a switch over...but last time I filled the tank, forgot to turn it on.

[AirForceAngler]

Another thought, also. Does your trailer have the auto switchover valve on the tanks? If so, it's best to leave both bottles open so that there will be a seamless transition from the empty tank to the full one.

[AirForceAngler]

Sounds like you have a pilot light/valve problem. Did you have any pilot lights operating when the first tank went empty? If so, when the tank ran out, the pilot light also went out. This should have closed the valve on the appliance that was running, shutting off gas to the pilot. Then, when you turned on the other tank, the faulty valve let gas into the camper. You probably have a bad LP valve/thermocouple on one of your gas appliances and will want to get that fixed ASAP.

I just read your post again and noticed it was your hot water heater. Better have that looked at.