How many of us have them?
They seem to be exclusive to truck campers. My Lance has two Manchester 30 lb OPD horizontals, and I’ve noticed some TC’s have two 20 lb horizontals. All of the horizontals I’ve seen have a real level sensing gauge. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vertical cylinder with a gauge. My camper has a built-in generator, so I like the 30 lb size, but I sometimes wish they were the traditional vertical style. Other than the fact that horizontal cylinders are significantly more expensive than verticals, I don’t really care which way they’re oriented.
The original cylinders in my camper were manufactured in 1999, so starting in ~2012 I was occasionally having the LP refillers telling me they needed to be recertified. It didn’t cost much, so no problem. The refillers don’t always care about the age of them, so the two cylinders got out of sync on their recertifications. Then I started having occasional issues with the seals leaking inside the valves that the Acme nut seats against. Even though the seal can be screwed out of the valve, it’s not individually replaceable. In fact, the newest version of these valves has an internal snap ring that prevents removing the seal.
The old valves were Sherwood brand, and I was having trouble finding the correct valve part number, and a supplier for them, so about three years ago I started looking at new cylinders, thinking that would be the better way to go. Dang those things are expensive! About $200 each :E But, I bit the bullet and ordered two.
Everything is good till about March of this year, when one of the “new” cylinders that had been refilled maybe 6-8 months prior, wouldn’t allow propane to flow out of the valve. I know about the OPD valves, Acme nut, and excess-flow check valve in the pigtails and how they work. I tried everything, and concluded there was something wrong with the valve itself. The new cylinders were about 3 months outside their 3 year warranty at that time :M
I took the cylinder to the local Ferrellgas dealer, and they came to the same conclusion: Bad valve. Then they tried ordering a new valve. The part # is listed on a label on the new cylinders. There is no manufacturer name on the valve, and the label says to order from Manchester.
They called me a few days later and said they were having trouble finding a supplier for the valve, so I started looking. At the time, every place that had the valve on their website was showing out of stock, and no way to order. There were several suppliers that had a V20691.1 valve in stock, but no V20691.2 (probably some minor design change).
One supplier (High Sky RV Parts) allowed me to get on a waiting list to be notified when it could be ordered. They aren’t terribly expensive, about $32.50 each. I did that, and a few weeks later, I got an email. I ordered two valves that day, and they submitted a special order to the manufacturer.
“Your parts have been processed with the manufacturer as a Special Order. It may take up to 3 weeks for your part to be delivered to you. Your patience is greatly appreciated. If you do not receive your order within this time frame, please contact us.”
Over a month later, I finally get the two valves. Yesterday, I took the “new” cylinder with the bad valve, and one of the old cylinders back to Ferrellgas to get them both re-valved and filled. I’m not going to be caught in this situation again.
Kudos to High Sky. At least they got me the valves. None of the delay was their responsibility. What an ordeal, though. I’ll go pick up the cylinders today or tomorrow and hopefully, that will be the end of it.
One final note; I have one more old 30 lb horizontal cylinder if anyone wants it. I’m in Little Rock, and you’ll have to come get it. It will need a new valve, and you’ll have to deal with the fact that it’s 20+ years old. I don’t really need two old cylinders sitting around though, and it’s still serviceable.
:):)
They seem to be exclusive to truck campers. My Lance has two Manchester 30 lb OPD horizontals, and I’ve noticed some TC’s have two 20 lb horizontals. All of the horizontals I’ve seen have a real level sensing gauge. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vertical cylinder with a gauge. My camper has a built-in generator, so I like the 30 lb size, but I sometimes wish they were the traditional vertical style. Other than the fact that horizontal cylinders are significantly more expensive than verticals, I don’t really care which way they’re oriented.
The original cylinders in my camper were manufactured in 1999, so starting in ~2012 I was occasionally having the LP refillers telling me they needed to be recertified. It didn’t cost much, so no problem. The refillers don’t always care about the age of them, so the two cylinders got out of sync on their recertifications. Then I started having occasional issues with the seals leaking inside the valves that the Acme nut seats against. Even though the seal can be screwed out of the valve, it’s not individually replaceable. In fact, the newest version of these valves has an internal snap ring that prevents removing the seal.
The old valves were Sherwood brand, and I was having trouble finding the correct valve part number, and a supplier for them, so about three years ago I started looking at new cylinders, thinking that would be the better way to go. Dang those things are expensive! About $200 each :E But, I bit the bullet and ordered two.
Everything is good till about March of this year, when one of the “new” cylinders that had been refilled maybe 6-8 months prior, wouldn’t allow propane to flow out of the valve. I know about the OPD valves, Acme nut, and excess-flow check valve in the pigtails and how they work. I tried everything, and concluded there was something wrong with the valve itself. The new cylinders were about 3 months outside their 3 year warranty at that time :M
I took the cylinder to the local Ferrellgas dealer, and they came to the same conclusion: Bad valve. Then they tried ordering a new valve. The part # is listed on a label on the new cylinders. There is no manufacturer name on the valve, and the label says to order from Manchester.
They called me a few days later and said they were having trouble finding a supplier for the valve, so I started looking. At the time, every place that had the valve on their website was showing out of stock, and no way to order. There were several suppliers that had a V20691.1 valve in stock, but no V20691.2 (probably some minor design change).
One supplier (High Sky RV Parts) allowed me to get on a waiting list to be notified when it could be ordered. They aren’t terribly expensive, about $32.50 each. I did that, and a few weeks later, I got an email. I ordered two valves that day, and they submitted a special order to the manufacturer.
“Your parts have been processed with the manufacturer as a Special Order. It may take up to 3 weeks for your part to be delivered to you. Your patience is greatly appreciated. If you do not receive your order within this time frame, please contact us.”
Over a month later, I finally get the two valves. Yesterday, I took the “new” cylinder with the bad valve, and one of the old cylinders back to Ferrellgas to get them both re-valved and filled. I’m not going to be caught in this situation again.
Kudos to High Sky. At least they got me the valves. None of the delay was their responsibility. What an ordeal, though. I’ll go pick up the cylinders today or tomorrow and hopefully, that will be the end of it.
One final note; I have one more old 30 lb horizontal cylinder if anyone wants it. I’m in Little Rock, and you’ll have to come get it. It will need a new valve, and you’ll have to deal with the fact that it’s 20+ years old. I don’t really need two old cylinders sitting around though, and it’s still serviceable.
:):)
Bare in mind we are talking cylinders here.
Tank is something permanently attached to RV.
My 1972 bus conversion had propane tank in it. Funny, back in 1970's the RV propane tanks did not exist, so converter used 40 gallons residential tank and fit it in bus basement. That thing never needed and still doesn't need recertification as it falls under different laws than portable cylinders.
The only issues I had refilling it was making declaration that propane is not used as motor fuel.
I do like horizontal cylinders, not only for their gauges, but also for easy operation.
Had 2 vertical, 7 gallons cylinders in Lance and refilling the inner one was quite a task. Especially when loaded high on the truck.
Then I never knew how much propane I had.
Tank is something permanently attached to RV.
My 1972 bus conversion had propane tank in it. Funny, back in 1970's the RV propane tanks did not exist, so converter used 40 gallons residential tank and fit it in bus basement. That thing never needed and still doesn't need recertification as it falls under different laws than portable cylinders.
The only issues I had refilling it was making declaration that propane is not used as motor fuel.
I do like horizontal cylinders, not only for their gauges, but also for easy operation.
Had 2 vertical, 7 gallons cylinders in Lance and refilling the inner one was quite a task. Especially when loaded high on the truck.
Then I never knew how much propane I had.
Picked up my cylinders today. New valves, recertified, and filled. I also tested both of them at home with my Webber grill to make sure they worked. Now I have a spare cylinder in case it’s needed.
The recertification sticker can be seen on the top ring.
My offer of the second old cylinder stands. If you want it, stop by and get it.
I think I’ll take the rest of the day off. I hear a beer calling me. :W
:):)
The recertification sticker can be seen on the top ring.
My offer of the second old cylinder stands. If you want it, stop by and get it.
I think I’ll take the rest of the day off. I hear a beer calling me. :W
:):)
We are living in disposable society, where it is easier to replace whole assemble, than find qualified technician to do actual repair.
We don't replace $5 alternator brushes, but do $500 alternator replacement.
The poppet valve in the main valve is not a rocked science and I found a site where you can buy the parts, but good luck finding service station who would stock them and have qualification to replace them.
When I had the issue, I simply found old hose fitting in my garage - the one with male thread and put it on. Problem never come back.
We don't replace $5 alternator brushes, but do $500 alternator replacement.
The poppet valve in the main valve is not a rocked science and I found a site where you can buy the parts, but good luck finding service station who would stock them and have qualification to replace them.
When I had the issue, I simply found old hose fitting in my garage - the one with male thread and put it on. Problem never come back.
