Tired of cold showers ugh

[oldmanriver809]

Well we're about 1500 miles into our first ever RV adventure which has been great but our propane system isn't working well. We have a 2013 14rb AR-ONE. The problem we are having is that the propane won't continually flow over a longer than 10-15 minute time frame, sometimes less than 30 seconds. I have a full tank of propane(20lbs) and I thought it was the regulator so I bought a new one and installed it. I checked for leaks with soapy water and do not have any. Sometimes the propane will last long enough to make a pot of coffee and once so far it's lasted/flowed long enough for supper and two showers but this morning after successfully making a pot of coffee I tried lighting the hot water tank for a shower and it went out, burner and pilot light, after about 10 minutes. I read that you should turn the propane valve on very slowly to avoid "freezing up" the valve and I have been doing that but with limited success. We would surely like a warm shower and were wondering if you all would have any suggestions that might fix this problem? Thank you in advance!

[colliehauler]

profdant139 wrote:
oldmanriver, this may reassure you -- in 13 years of active camping (over a thousand nights), I have never shut off my tank while we are on a trip. At home, after the trip, I do.

If you are worried about propane leaks, you have two defenses. First, there is a propane monitor in your trailer. It really works -- some folks have had to move their dog's bed away from the monitor because it would go off at random times in the night. I am sure you can figure that one out . . . .

Second, your nose can detect very low levels of gas. There is a very smelly additive in propane -- you can detect the odor long before things get dangerous.

I would advise you not to shut down the system every night, and I am a very risk-averse person.

One other thought -- before each trip, I turn on the propane tanks and "paint" the lines and connections with a soapy solution. Any little leak, even one too small to smell, will cause bubbles to form. I am sure this is overkill, but I am a very cautious person.

Let us know if leaving the system on full-time solves the problem!!

The odorant in propane is ethyl mercaptan. A drop of the stuff can gag a maggot. Aerosoles use butane as a propellant as well and can set off the detector.

[time2roll]

I would leave the propane on 24/7 until the RV is returned to storage.
With a new regulator the only thing left is the cylinder.
But instead of just replacing parts take it to a propane dealer next time you fail to get propane to the stove etc.

If you have space for a second cylinder I would get an automatic change over regulator and the second propane cylinder mounted.

[2oldman]

oldmanriver809 wrote:
2oldman I have a pilot light on the hot water tank if that's what you mean

Very unusual for a 2013 trailer. Most have DSI.

[oldmanriver809]

2oldman I have a pilot light on the hot water tank if that's what you mean and it doesn't stay lit when this problem occurs.
profdant139 thank you for the extra assurance. I will slowly open my valve and allow it to pressurize the system again and leave it on all day and this evening I will try it again to see if it will heat up and keep the hot water tank functioning correctly.

[profdant139]

oldmanriver, this may reassure you -- in 13 years of active camping (over a thousand nights), I have never shut off my tank while we are on a trip. At home, after the trip, I do.

If you are worried about propane leaks, you have two defenses. First, there is a propane monitor in your trailer. It really works -- some folks have had to move their dog's bed away from the monitor because it would go off at random times in the night. I am sure you can figure that one out . . . .

Second, your nose can detect very low levels of gas. There is a very smelly additive in propane -- you can detect the odor long before things get dangerous.

I would advise you not to shut down the system every night, and I am a very risk-averse person.

One other thought -- before each trip, I turn on the propane tanks and "paint" the lines and connections with a soapy solution. Any little leak, even one too small to smell, will cause bubbles to form. I am sure this is overkill, but I am a very cautious person.

Let us know if leaving the system on full-time solves the problem!!

[colliehauler]

oldmanriver809 wrote:
Thanks bobndot for your reply! I don't have an outside grill but I have been turning off the valve at the tank and lighting both stovetop burners to burn off the residual propane in the line each time I use it. Will this accomplish the same outcome as what you suggested with the outdoor grill?

Your creating your own problem. When you do that the system is empty. When you turn it back on the overflow preventer is limiting propane to the empty system. Leave the system pressured to reset the overflow preventer. Then try using it. If this does not work try another propane tank.

[2oldman]

Not while driving. You gonna answer about the pilot light?

[oldmanriver809]

The refrigerator is a dual propane/electric model so we are using the electric option.

[2oldman]

How do you run your refrigerator? Again.. you have a pilot light?

[oldmanriver809]

2oldman This is the first TT we've owed and have only owed it for a little longer than a month so I'm kinda nervous about leaving the propane turned on when I'm not using it. Just for the piece of mind when my wife and I sleep at night lol

[2oldman]

oldmanriver809 wrote:
I have been turning off the valve at the tank and lighting both stovetop burners to burn off the residual propane in the line each time I use it.

Why do that?

[oldmanriver809]

2oldman I believe the tank is the original. I may swap it out for a new one if I can't figure anything else out.

[oldmanriver809]

Thanks bobndot for your reply! I don't have an outside grill but I have been turning off the valve at the tank and lighting both stovetop burners to burn off the residual propane in the line each time I use it. Will this accomplish the same outcome as what you suggested with the outdoor grill?

[2oldman]

He said he opened it slowly. You have a pilot light on a 2013 model?

How old is the tank? In the absence of anything else, perhaps the valve on the tank is faulty.

[oldmanriver809]