Propane Problem

dstrum5 · 07-28-2013, 08:50 AM

This is the 2nd time this has happened in 3 years. I have a two tank propane system and with both tank valves open and the regulater pointing at the 1st tank when the 1st tanks goes empty I expect the regulater to automaticly switch to the 2nd tank......... what happens is, the 2nd tank feels 3/4 full, but it is mostly air, and not enough propane to even light a burner on the stove. The last time we had to bleed the air off for over 2 hours, then refill and it worked fine until now. What do you think could be causing this problem?

Javi · 07-28-2013, 09:08 AM

Unless you got an air compressor hooked into your propane system there would be no reason for one tank to be filled with air under pressure. Sounds like the place you're getting propane from has a problem.

dstrum5 · 07-28-2013, 09:54 AM

Thanks for the reply.......there is no air compressor involved. I watched the guy fill the tank in question and saw 5 gallons on the meter and watched propane come out the little hole on the valve when the tank was full. this is the second time this has happened with two different propane suppliers.

Javi · 07-28-2013, 03:53 PM

Look at this from a logical view, if there is air in the tank under pressure someone or something had to put it there. The propane systems of a travel trailer are open to burn so decreasing pressure in the tank with use. There is nothing that would cause air under pressure to enter the system and hence the tank.

So if there is indeed air in the tank rather than propane it had to be pumped in there by someone.

A possibility is that the tank had been run dry and the check valve is faulty thus allowing air to enter the tank at atmospheric pressure and the tank was then filled with propane which compressed the air. Since the air is lighter than the propane it would be the first to exit the tank. Generally this only results in a low flame, yellow flame or sputtering flame for a short time until the air is bled off.

This can be prevented if the tank is partially filled and then the air bled off before filling completely. This should not however take two hours to accomplish.

dstrum5 · 07-28-2013, 06:59 PM

Thank you for the response..........I will have the valve checked out.

hankaye · 07-28-2013, 08:02 PM

dstrum5, Howdy;

You might ask them to 'purge' the tank in question prior to filling.
If it wasn't properly purged when it was filled the first time you'll
have that kind of problem.

hankaye

Festus2 · 07-28-2013, 08:04 PM

You will find several threads/posts about the propane automatic changeover system by doing a forum search. This topic has been discussed quite extensively on the forum.
I found several informative threads/posts by typing in "automatic propane changeover". You could try other word combinations such as "propane changeover" or "automatic changeover" and see what you come up with.

One of the key steps in this process is to make sure that, when opening the valves on the tanks, to turn them s-l-o-w-l-y. If you turned them wide open quickly, this may be part of your problem. Check out the posts for a good read.

geeman · 08-15-2013, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festus2

You will find several threads/posts about the propane automatic changeover system by doing a forum search. This topic has been discussed quite extensively on the forum.
I found several informative threads/posts by typing in "automatic propane changeover". You could try other word combinations such as "propane changeover" or "automatic changeover" and see what you come up with.

One of the key steps in this process is to make sure that, when opening the valves on the tanks, to turn them s-l-o-w-l-y. If you turned them wide open quickly, this may be part of your problem. Check out the posts for a good read.

SLOWLY is the key when turning on a tank or you will get almost nothing if not completely nothing for gas. If you listen closely, you can hear it 'click' if open too fast, you will then hear it 'click' (re-open) when you turn the valve off.

There is NO-WAY to have air and propane in a cylinder. Propane is a liguid only under pressure. Your camper takes the 'gas' off the top, not the liquid off the bottom. In fact, if you turned the tank over and force liquid propane into the system your regulator would freeze up and stop.

As far as a 'purge', that is never needed on a tank that has been refilled. It is simply a moisture removal process for a brand new tank and not needed.

If it is an "automatic" switcher rather than a manual, then you may have a problem with the switcher too. But in no way will you have "air" for more than a few seconds on a system that has been running. Sorry..........

SAABDOCTOR · 08-15-2013, 06:57 AM

There is no way that much air can get into that tank! did you tick off the propane guy?

they would have to have pumped compressed air into the tank. when i purge new tanks for the first time, it takes only a moment to bleed off the air and get propane to come out! less than a min. I did once pump shop air into an empty tank to check for a leak. 175 psi only took 17 min to evacuate out of a pin hole. so 2 hours! sunsins fishy lucy!! good luck

gkainz · 08-15-2013, 08:20 AM

Pull that tank and weigh it. If it weighs close to TARE weight it's empty (of propane, at least).

jsmith948 · 08-15-2013, 01:19 PM

You may have a defective 'pig tail' - the hose that connects the cylinder to the regulator. There is a safety valve in the pigtail that prevents full flow of gas in the event of a leaking/failed/ruptured hose or valve downstream in the system. If this safety valve is bad, you won't get any gas flow - or, at least, not enough. Had to replace ours after only 1 yr of use. Seems like they were $15 each at the RV parts store.

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