I want to warn everyone to check the propane connection to the hot water heater. I noticed my propane tank was empty and had it filled. After I opened the valve on the tank I went inside to turn on the hot water heater. A few seconds later my propane detector went off and I heard a boom. When I went outside the door to the inverter was blown open and smoke was pouring out of the hot water heater. I ran to turn off the propane and sent someone for a fire extinguisher. I opened the door panel to the water heater with pliers as it was very hot. There was fire coming from the propane line connection. Before I could put it out with the extinguisher the fire went out due to me turning off the propane tank.
After it cooled I noticed that the connection was barely finger tight. The weird thing is I have used this on several trips already, so I don't know how it became loose. I used liquid thread dope and re-tightened the nut. I used soapy water to check the joint and it was finally sealed.
I learned a few things.. The propane detector works. before starting a device make sure to turn on the propane and let it sit for a bit so you don't create a spark before the detector goes off.
Luckily there was no permanent damage, but this experience made for a very rocky start to out otherwise uneventful trip. You can imagine how this could have been so much worse.
***PLEASE CHECK YOUR PROPANE LINE CONNECTION TO YOUR HOT WATERHEATER ASAP***
Lucky you were around.
Good preventive measure to check many things on your rig.
It sounds odd that after 2 years it was loose because those fitting don't back off so my guess it was just tight enough to keep from leaking until the other day.
Almost same thing happened to us in 2012.
New Aug 2012 spent 4 days at a local Corp of Engineers campground.
Took it back the next week for minor warranty work and a refill of the empty propane tank.
Dealer said they ALWAYS leak test twice!
As I was shaking the hose at the tank I said "do they test it while rolling down the road?" He said WOW as he jumped out of the large white cloud .
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2012 Georgetown 360
SHE wanted "a new motorhome"
10 years ago my popup had a stove you hang on the outside and I did not have the dealer test when I picked up my new trailer and the first time I used it nearly blew me into the next tent for when I was trying to light a burner it was leaking inside the stove unit from a lose line and when I used a stick lighter after enough gas built up inside then it went off, my new roo EVERTHING WAS TEST AND WATER TESTED OUTSIDE TO CHECK FOR LEAKS INSIDE, STOVE AND HEATER THEY TURNED ON AND LEFT IT ON TO SEE IF I HAD ANY LEAKS. IT WAS THE LONGEST WALK THRU THEY HAD EVER DONE IT WAS OVER 4 HOURS
I went to pull out out FR3 2015 30 DS today and as I checked all the normal stuff, i noticed the propane level was empty even though we haven't really used propane for anything and I topped it off in december...
I filled the bottle and checked for a leak at the hot water heater... We did just have some warranty work done on it from some kind of a flame out where some wires got burned... The repair guy supposedly checked all out but I checked it out with soapy water and sure enough... It was leaking at the fitting on the supply line... I tightened it up but I'm pissed because it could have csused a fire and it definatley drained $45 worth of propane.
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2015 FR3 30 DS
1995 Wrangler
Miles 9100
Days Camped 74
Spiders and wasps seem to be attracted to propane. The water heater and refrigerator orifices and venturi tubes are the usual locations to check at least several times during the season. It's also a good idea to have someone watch when your propane appliances fire up after non use.
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