Propane System Trouble shooting

[bikendan]

Any replacement regulator you might suggest

You quoted yourself.

 

[Chuck_S]

Recommend you replace the single regulator with a dual-tank auto-changeover regulator which will reduce worries about running out of fuel. These have been the literal standard on campers for over 25 years. These are only about $50 literally everywhere. Check the hose length before buying or buy at a local RV store.

https://www.amazon.com/Flame-King-K...text&ref_=fplfs&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&gQT=1&th=1

-- Chuck

 

[dedobias]

Yea I removed the gauge and even purchased a new propane tank thinking I might have damaged it. Still isn’t working.

Close the valve. Disconnect the tank. Lift the tank and gently shake and fell for propane moving around to make sure it isn't empty. Reconnect the tank, open the valve VERY SLOWLY. Light the largest burner on the burner on the stove, it may take a few minutes to bleed the air out before it lights. Turn on the water heater and it may still take a few tries before it lights. Gauges are worthless. Get a Mopeka kit it works very well.

Amazon.com

 

[Chuck_S]

20% (OK, 18%!) of the Amazon reviews on the Mopeka device indicate it's not real useful or doesn't work at all. May be problematical if the cylinders need to be removed to fill or using spare cylinders. (I swap these indiscriminately between the camper and gas grill on the back deck.) I run the camper's system on one cylinder until it's empty and the auto-changeover occurs then pull and refill the empty cylinder. Unless I'm running the furnace a 20# cylinder lasts a long time.

Everything is still pointing to a bad regulator and a dual cylinder automatic change-over regulator remains strongly recommended.

-- Chuck

 

[GolfingDave]

20% (OK, 18%!) of the Amazon reviews on the Mopeka device indicate it's not real useful or doesn't work at all.

Happy to be a member of the 82% club.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

The only true indicator of a propane tank contents is weight. The typically grill tank or 20 lb tank, when empty, is about 17 lbs. This is TARE weight and is stamped on the collar of the tank. The full tank weighs about 37 lbs. This is the WC value stamped on the collar of the tank. Propane weighs 4.25 lbs. per gallon. To determine the contents, subtract the TARE weight from the total weight and divide by 4.25.

Propane, being a liquid, converts to gas as internal pressure reduces. It would then seem the pressure would remain somewhat constant, based on outside temperature and the liquid to gas conversion. Thus, a pressure gauge would seem less than accurate. (I've forgotten the thermodynamics formulas for this.)

Bob

 

[dedobias]

Happy to be a member of the 82% club.

Me too. If you follow the instructions it works great

 

[smthbros]

I have replaced several of my opd valves with valves that incorporate a gauge which functions from the valve's built in float.

 

[RRSCOTT]

That gauge you added only reads pressure. The pressure will change just with the temperature outside. Hotter the temperature, higher the pressure.

 

[smthbros]

Actually, I tested the gauge before installing the valve.
The gauge is actuated by the float. It indicates volume, not pressure.
Available on ebay. Made by Nash fuel.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I'm easily confused. How does a tank gauge, one that attaches to the tank valve, have a float that indicates volume contents and not pressure? This would seem one has to remove the original valve and replace it with a float driven indicator. That doesn't work for tank exchange methods.

Most gauges are temperature compensated to show cool days, medium days, and hot days. In each case the gauge will indicate differently based on temperature.

I'd like to see a picture of a float gauge for LP tanks.

Bob

 

[RRSCOTT]

Yes, I would like to see a picture of that gauge too. Unless you removed the original valve and replaced it. Then it would/could be a pressure gauge. I have not seen a temperature compensated gauge for a small LP cylinder.

 

[wmtire]

I have one here at the shop. Hold on and I will get you pics and an explanation of the magnets.

 

[wmtire]

Don't laugh too hard at my paint job. The kiddos love it. It's a lego minifig head

Here's a YouTube video.

 

[RRSCOTT]

ok, so it's a replacement valve.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Thanks for the pictures and videos. Now I understand.............at least I think so.

Bob

 

[5picker]

I have one here at the shop. Hold on and I will get you pics and an explanation of the magnets.

So... does every OPD valve in every tank, have the rod with the magnets to make the snap on gauge work?

 

[wmtire]

So... does every OPD valve in every tank, have the rod with the magnets to make the snap on gauge work?

I would doubt so. I didn't buy the OPD assembly separate but it was already installed in a new tank I bought from Sam's Club years ago. I just saw the OP had the same one I did from his pics in post #11 so decided to post what I did since we had the same gauge.. The OP may can provide more info on exactly what they did as far as a retrofit or just add a gauge.

 

[Vince_521]

Don't know if it's possible to connect these backwards but here's how it should look. (Ignore the solenoid in the photo).

BTW those propane "gauges" have all been useless in my experience.

-- Chuck

My regulator needed to be adjusted. Not by much. You can do it yourself but only make a slight adjustment to see if propane starts flowing. This issue confounded me fir weeks on my Wolf Pup until I did that.