Propane appliances not working

jackpaulg · 04-12-2017, 12:17 PM

Hi all

I have a full tank of propane but none of the appliances are working I have no idea how to fix it can anyone help me.

I tried to light the stove and that won't work.

Then I tried the water heater and that won't light either.

The refrigerator is not working on Gas.

I am new to the RV world. this is my first RV. I have a 3051 any advice would be much appreciated.

thank you

**wmtire** · 04-12-2017, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackpaulg

Hi all

I have a full tank of propane but none of the appliances are working I have no idea how to fix it can anyone help me.

I tried to light the stove and that won't work.

Then I tried the water heater and that won't light either.

The refrigerator is not working on Gas.

I am new to the RV world. this is my first RV. I have a 3051 any advice would be much appreciated.

thank you

Howdy and welcome aboard. The easiest and most obvious thing to check, is to make sure you have the propane cylinder(s) valve open. It's open when you unscrew it (left turns) and closed or shut off when you screw it right all the way.

I would recommend closing it first all the way (clockwise turns)...then s-l-o-w-l-y opening it (counterclockwise) all the way.

nomad297 · 04-12-2017, 12:26 PM

Turn off your propane tank. Disconnect the hose from the tank. Reconnect the hose to the tank, then turn the propane tank back on very slowly. Very slowly. Now go to your stove and see if you have propane.

Bruce

jackpaulg · 04-12-2017, 12:52 PM

OK sounds good thanks Bruce I appreciate the advice were in Disneyland and it's a bit of an inconvenience thanks for your response

5picker · 04-12-2017, 01:01 PM

Did anything ever work on propane or is this a new issue?

jackpaulg · 04-12-2017, 02:15 PM

It is a new issue. it was working when we left in the morning and then when I came back later that day I noticed the fridge was not working

RamblerGuy · 04-12-2017, 09:02 PM

Your regulator may have failed. Since you are new to RV's, it may not be a good idea to start loosening gas lines to figure it out, so if none of the suggestions you get here help, you may have to have a qualified technician fix it.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, go to an RV store and buy a propane regulator. They aren't expensive. It would be worth trying it before hiring a technician. Even if your coach is under warranty, it could take days before a shop can get to it.

jackpaulg · 04-12-2017, 09:08 PM

yeah I just tried to get it going doing what was suggested above and nothing I do seems to be working.

Thank you for the reply.

RamblerGuy · 04-12-2017, 09:16 PM

If you decide to get one, be sure it's a.two stage regulator for an RV, not a single stage one for a grill. Also, be sure it's made to mount with the inlet and outlet horizontal and with the vent in the right direction. It won't work right if it's not installed in the orientation it's designed for.

**wmtire** · 04-12-2017, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackpaulg

yeah I just tried to get it going doing what was suggested above and nothing I do seems to be working.

Thank you for the reply.

Just trying to stay with the simple first, when did you fill the propane cylinder?

It could just simply be out.

jackpaulg · 04-12-2017, 09:19 PM

Filled it up on Saturday. And we really haven't used much propane. The gauge on the tank says it still full

5picker · 04-12-2017, 09:27 PM

Some motorhomes have an electrically operated solenoid valve on the permanently mounted propane tank line. They are sometimes controlled by the propane detector.
Do you know, does your Forester have one?

RamblerGuy · 04-12-2017, 09:28 PM

To be sure you have propane, you could open the bleeder valve. Wear good gloves, preferably leather, and eye protection.

Here's a link to a Web page that shows the bleeder valve.

http://roadtreking.com/innards-rv-propane-tank/

**wmtire** · 04-12-2017, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackpaulg

Filled it up on Saturday. And we really haven't used much propane. The gauge on the tank says it still full

Thanks for the response. As with all troubleshooting, it's best to start with the easy stuff first and then work your way up.

cmac7203 · 04-13-2017, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad297

Turn off your propane tank. Disconnect the hose from the tank. Reconnect the hose to the tank, then turn the propane tank back on very slowly. Very slowly. Now go to your stove and see if you have propane.

Bruce

Bruce,

Why slowly?

Charlie

Kirk S · 04-13-2017, 12:58 PM

All of the suggestions here are good, but jackpaulg said he has a 3051. If his 3051 is the same as mine, it is a motorhome with a horizontally mounted tank, not a travel trailer where you can just disconnect/reconnect hoses.
The reason for turning any propane tank valve slowly is to prevent the automatic shutoff built into the tank from operating.
The only reasons there would be no propane flow are empty tank (faulty gauge), valve failure (unlikely), regulator failure or safety shutoff has activated due to defect or high gas flow detection.

Tom48 · 04-13-2017, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad297

Turn off your propane tank. Disconnect the hose from the tank. Reconnect the hose to the tank, then turn the propane tank back on very slowly. Very slowly. Now go to your stove and see if you have propane.

Bruce

DITTO. That OPD valve is a safety devise to shut off flow when they top it off and shut off if ypu say tear a line open. And note that if you disconnect the tank then open the valve, without back pressure it will immediately shut down.

I also found that when my tanks were brand new, one would not even fill until we knocked around to loosen the valve safety.

rockfossilman · 04-13-2017, 01:33 PM

I had the same problem with our trailer one time. The pigtail connector? from the tank to the regulator had collapsed internally and needed to be replaced. Switched to the other tank and was able to heat and cook again. Eventually had to replace the other one as well.

Tiggerdad · 04-13-2017, 01:38 PM

Had issue a few weeks ago where one tank would not deliver propane on the curb side. Replaced regulator on that side and that did not help. I have a 2-stage regulator that receives propane from both tanks. On the curb side there is a separate regulator. I found that the check valve was seized up and blocked flow. Amazon has the; Camco 59954 1/4" Male NPT x 1/4" Female Propane Fitting Inverted Flare with Check Valve.

Keep us posted.

**Flybob** · 04-13-2017, 01:55 PM

If you just filled the tanks, it could be the safety valve as mentioned above. When you remove a tank to fill it, the pressure in the lines is released. When you reconnect the filled tank and turn it on with empty lines, a large volume of propane leaves the tank, This can sometimes fool the safety valve into thinking that there is an open valve and it will shut off. The only way to reset it is to turn the tank off, release the pressure in the lines, wait a few minutes then turn on the valve very slowly until you hear propane flow. Let it sit for a minute or two until the lines pressurize, then you can open fully at any speed,

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