Propane Mystery

RKC02 · 02-21-2014, 07:37 PM

Just checked my LP level and found it totally empty when just a few days ago it was at least 2/3 full. No furnace or stove use and only minimal usage of hot water. No smell of LP gas ever and detector never went off, so no idea why I am suddenly out of propane.

Is it possible to steal propane from the tank? I don't see how but am clueless why my tank is empty.

Only other thought is that maybe the gas valve of the hot water heater failed to close??

Anyone with any thoughts or suggestions, please reply.

RKC02 · 02-21-2014, 07:38 PM

I forgot to mention that I have a Gerard Tankless heater. All appliances have worked flawlessly to my knowledge.

davel1971 · 02-21-2014, 07:39 PM

a leak on the outside maybe

glevron · 02-21-2014, 07:56 PM

I just had the same issue, they found the regulator on the tank was bad. Changed it out & no issue since.

OldCoot · 02-21-2014, 08:07 PM

Could also be a bad gauge, they do stick sometimes.

RKC02 · 02-21-2014, 08:16 PM

Both gauge on tank and inside tank monitor read empty - was 2/3 a few days ago. Did mot actually try to run an appliance but will do so tomorrow.

How can i check the regulator(besides looking for a leak)?
There is a small, squarish device on the line just past the regulator that is hot to the touch. Is it supposed to be hot?

Kaadk · 02-21-2014, 09:22 PM

Are you sure it's your tank on there? With rising propane costs and relatively cold winter there have been some rumours (though no proof) of scrupulous people swapping empty tanks for full ones.

Flagstaffer06 · 02-21-2014, 09:35 PM

x2 on the bad regulator. I had one last year and caught it in time when I parked the trailer after a trip and shut off my tanks.

RKC02 · 02-21-2014, 09:45 PM

Just had a B. G. O ( blinding glimpse of the obvious...):
We are at a RV park in FL- 2 days ago a landscaper was cutting sites behind us when we smelled something like rotten eggs or cabbage - never even thought propane, just wondered "what the heck did they cut". Now I am feeling foolish realizing that that was likely when the regulator let go, if in fact it turns out to be the culprit, which is highly likely. Luckily nothing burned, blown, or damaged. Sure adds up - strong smell + empty tank.....

youroo · 02-21-2014, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Are you sure it's your tank on there? With rising propane costs and relatively cold winter there have been some rumours (though no proof) of scrupulous people swapping empty tanks for full ones.

Looks like they have a (25.5 gal) propane tank,it would be hard to switch when 2/3 full. Seems like a small amount of propane to feed (2) 20.000btu furnaces?

Youroo!!

RKC02 · 02-21-2014, 09:51 PM

Tank is 24 gallon permanently mounted tank on MH. No easy way to switch that out.

youroo · 02-21-2014, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKC02

Just had a B. G. O ( blinding glimpse of the obvious...):
We are at a RV park in FL- 2 days ago a landscaper was cutting sites behind us when we smelled something like rotten eggs or cabbage - never even thought propane, just wondered "what the heck did they cut". Now I am feeling foolish realizing that that was likely when the regulator let go, if in fact it turns out to be the culprit, which is highly likely. Luckily nothing burned, blown, or damaged. Sure adds up - strong smell + empty tank.....

Your supplied info said (Location,NJ) tried to trick us?

Youroo!!

Kaadk · 02-21-2014, 10:00 PM

Yeah, I didn't look too closely at what you had. The rumours around here have been 30 lbs that are being swapped/snagged off TTs. I don't have to worry too much about mine. They're buried under 6' of snow where the drift got piled up against mine. Water damage come the thaw, maybe, but as long as I see that drift intact everytime I drive by I feel safe my tanks are safe.

PhotoMaster · 02-21-2014, 10:09 PM

I had a 23SS and installed some propane gauges to monitor the tanks. One was defective and completely drained a full 20lb tank. The other had some seriously restricted flow. Had to return them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKC02

There is a small, squarish device on the line just past the regulator that is hot to the touch. Is it supposed to be hot?

I'm still interested in knowing what the hot box was.

RKC02 · 02-21-2014, 10:11 PM

I'll get nomenclature off it tomorrow and send a picture if I can

awwall · 02-21-2014, 10:34 PM

The hot box you are referring to is probably your shutoff solenoid. Your propane detector in the MH controls it. If the detector senses propane leak, it kills power to the solenoid and shuts off the propane at the tank. This solenoid is normally energized, so it does get pretty warm.

gasman94 · 02-23-2014, 05:41 PM

Ditto on the regulator. Was smelling propane while camping last fall (2 month old Berk). Thought it was the neighbor, but decided to just check the tank. Slow leak that you could hear and smell. Had it replaced under warranty, but ruined my weekend. The dealer said that it is normal for the solenoid to be hot. There have been several others that have had problems with leaking regulators.

RKC02 · 02-23-2014, 05:47 PM

Thanks to all for the replies. I have to breakdown to go get the tank filled again so I can find out what's leaking. (Big PITA!)
I'm hoping it is just the regulator since that is an easy fix. I just topped off on propane recently - likely be $100 to refill.

edgewant · 02-23-2014, 07:35 PM

Had three regulators go bad in one year. One was IMO due to being overfilled on propane and having liquid getting to the regulator. There's another thread on that so I won't repeat that horror story. Got lucky on one, it actually failed while I was standing next to the motorhome. I've also learned that if you have shutoff your propane supply, when re-opening the valve it's best to open it slowly.

RKC02 · 02-23-2014, 07:57 PM

Is there a better regulator available to minimize the chances of failure? Anything else to do, other than keeping a spare (or two) around?

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