Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-23-2011, 03:45 PM   #1
Winnebago Watcher
 
harvrk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: lake eufaula ok
Posts: 3
propane fill

went to fill our propane tank this morn . couldnt get it to fill . would not take propane. any possibilities? any help you can give . the panel says half full.
harvrk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2011, 04:04 PM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
wildtoad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 74
Most tanks have a guage on the tank itself. What does it show.
__________________
Tom Wilds
Blythewood SC
2016 Newmar Bay Star Sport 3004
2013 Chevy Sonic Hatchback (Automatic)
wildtoad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2011, 04:16 PM   #3
Winnebago Watcher
 
harvrk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: lake eufaula ok
Posts: 3
really not sure how to read it . allways use panel
harvrk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2011, 04:19 PM   #4
Winnie-Wise
 
Clifftall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 307
Quote:
Originally Posted by harvrk
went to fill our propane tank this morn . couldnt get it to fill . would not take propane. any possibilities? any help you can give . the panel says half full.
When that happened to me it turned out that the tank was full, the gauge was broken.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
Clifftall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2011, 07:24 PM   #5
Winnebago Camper
 
coachmanrvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 10
Same thing happened on our new coach. Tried to fill it and no go. Turned out to be the gauge / transmitter on the tank. Easy fix.

Quote:
Originally Posted by clifftall View Post
When that happened to me it turned out that the tank was full, the gauge was broken.
__________________
2012 Entegra Aspire
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro4x Tow
Ready Brute Elite
coachmanrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2011, 07:36 PM   #6
KIX
Winnebago Master
 
KIX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 587
Quote:
Originally Posted by harvrk View Post
went to fill our propane tank this morn . couldnt get it to fill . would not take propane. any possibilities? any help you can give . the panel says half full.
To fill an ASME (permanently mounted) propane tank a couple of things have to happen:
1. The pump pressure has to be greater than the pressure inside the tank
2. The OPD (Overfill Protection Device) has to open to allow the KP to flow into the tank.

The OPD is constructed similar the floating ball in the water tank of a WC....as the liquid level rises a valve is shut off.......that's what prevents WC water from overflowing onto the floor and what also prevents a propane tank from being over filled. Should the liquid level inside the tank cause the OPD to close like, maybe, having the tank off level during filling LP will not flow into the tank.
As far as your panel gauge reporting is concerned the panel is notoriously inaccurate.
There is a round gauge on the tank with a single wire attached to it. The plastic the wire attaches to is the gauge. Look at the visible white gauge face that will have black markings indicating liquid level and the red pointer that you can see the tip of. Approx. 3/4 on the gauge is full.
Hope this helps you understand what may be happening.
__________________
KIX
'02 Ultimate Advantage 40J Spartan MM - Cummins ISC
KIX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2011, 07:56 PM   #7
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 91
Quote:
Originally Posted by KIX View Post
To fill an ASME (permanently mounted) propane tank a couple of things have to happen:
1. The pump pressure has to be greater than the pressure inside the tank
2. The OPD (Overfill Protection Device) has to open to allow the KP to flow into the tank.

The OPD is constructed similar the floating ball in the water tank of a WC....as the liquid level rises a valve is shut off.......that's what prevents WC water from overflowing onto the floor and what also prevents a propane tank from being over filled. Should the liquid level inside the tank cause the OPD to close like, maybe, having the tank off level during filling LP will not flow into the tank.
As far as your panel gauge reporting is concerned the panel is notoriously inaccurate.
There is a round gauge on the tank with a single wire attached to it. The plastic the wire attaches to is the gauge. Look at the visible white gauge face that will have black markings indicating liquid level and the red pointer that you can see the tip of. Approx. 3/4 on the gauge is full.
Hope this helps you understand what may be happening.
Good stuff, but what does KP and WC stand for?? You explained the OPD but not the other two. Been full-timing since 2005, always fun to see someone use acronyms and/or abbreviations that they thing EVERYONE know about, like the Newmar folks, DP (diesel pusher) would be enough, but putting the DS (DutchStar) in front is kinda "look at me" IMHO (In My Humble Opinion).

Just a thought, in my humble opinion, jeez, that weren't too hard
__________________
Stik
Full Timing since 2005
09 Journey 34Y, 2015 Grand Cherokee Toad
stik is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2011, 07:59 PM   #8
KIX
Winnebago Master
 
KIX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 587
Quote:
Originally Posted by stik View Post
Good stuff, but what does KP and WC stand for?? You explained the OPD but not the other two. Been full-timing since 2005, always fun to see someone use acronyms and/or abbreviations that they thing EVERYONE know about, like the Newmar folks, DP (diesel pusher) would be enough, but putting the DS (DutchStar) in front is kinda "look at me" IMHO (In My Humble Opinion).

Just a thought, in my humble opinion, jeez, that weren't too hard
KP is my typo........I meant LP as in Liquefied Petroleum or more commonly known as Propane.
WC is a standard abbreviation for water closet or also known as toilet
__________________
KIX
'02 Ultimate Advantage 40J Spartan MM - Cummins ISC
KIX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 09:46 AM   #9
Winnebago Master
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
Two thoughts.. When it happened to me the tank was near empty (in fact I had to hook up the "External" Tank before that trip ended)

The problem was when the "Pump jockey" pulled the hose out of the cabinet he snagged a cable.. The EMERGENCY SHUT OFF and closed the valve.. So it was not my tank, it was his pump..

And as others have said, The panel is .. Not always accurate.. now normally i'd tell you that fuel guages are the least reliable guages made. however the one that is actually ON THE TANK.. Tends to be accurate.. Where does the needle point, Just over 3/4.. that's full. (IF you can tell the difference between 3/4 and full your eyes are better than mine, 3/4 is 75%,,, Full is 80%)
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 10:46 AM   #10
Winnebago Master
 
DancinCampers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: On the Road Westward
Posts: 711
I would check and make sure the flat o-ring is in the fill valve. They sometimes will pop out when fill hose is removed. Without the tank can't be filled.
__________________
Dan & Sharon & Kasey (Our Yorkie Puppy (12 Yrs Old) On the Road (2012 Journey 36M, 2006 Jeep Liberty)
USN-Ret ('65-'93) Fulltimers, Class of 2012
DancinCampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 11:01 AM   #11
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 1,037
Quote:
Originally Posted by KIX View Post
To fill an ASME (permanently mounted) propane tank a couple of things have to happen:
1. The pump pressure has to be greater than the pressure inside the tank
2. The OPD (Overfill Protection Device) has to open to allow the KP to flow into the tank.

The OPD is constructed similar the floating ball in the water tank of a WC....as the liquid level rises a valve is shut off.......that's what prevents WC water from overflowing onto the floor and what also prevents a propane tank from being over filled. Should the liquid level inside the tank cause the OPD to close like, maybe, having the tank off level during filling LP will not flow into the tank.
As far as your panel gauge reporting is concerned the panel is notoriously inaccurate.
There is a round gauge on the tank with a single wire attached to it. The plastic the wire attaches to is the gauge. Look at the visible white gauge face that will have black markings indicating liquid level and the red pointer that you can see the tip of. Approx. 3/4 on the gauge is full.
Hope this helps you understand what may be happening.
I don't think motor home propane tanks have an OPD, only a check valve and vent valve. It is filled until liquid comes out the vent valve.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C Handicap Equipped
F53/V10
1999 Jeep Cherokee & 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
John Hilley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 11:04 AM   #12
Winnebago Owner
 
navychaps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Bartlett, TN
Posts: 54
Had a similar problem with my Class C. There is a "ball" in the fill neck that was sticking. Most RV fill places were able to overcome the problem by moving around and disconnecting/reconnecting the fill hose. Hopefully you can go somewhere else that has had the problem before, sure would hate to hear that you had to have the tank dismounted and repaired.
__________________
2003 Winne Adventurer, Ford F53 V-10. Toad:1992 S-10, Road Master Falcon 2 Tow bar, Blue Ox Patriot brake system and Protect-a-Tow. Right is right even if no one is doing it; Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it--St Augustine of Hippo. Navy AD.
navychaps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 12:09 PM   #13
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by KIX View Post
...WC is a standard abbreviation for water closet or also known as toilet
FWIW In the propane world, like this thread is, WC means Water Column the standard measure of pressure for regulated pressure LP.

WC, in the context used, was clear to be Water Closet though.
ottffss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 12:15 PM   #14
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hilley View Post
I don't think motor home propane tanks have an OPD, only a check valve and vent valve. It is filled until liquid comes out the vent valve.
If you have a triangular valve knob you HAVE an OPD. A round knob does NOT have an OPD.

By fed law any non-attached and DOT 4lb to 40lb LP tank MUST have an OPD after some date back in the 90's if I recall. I think you'll find most newer RV tanks also have them (RVIA requirement??? not a fed requirement due to horizontal tank mounting???) regardless of size as an additional safety device both on fill and on discharge.

The OPD works as a safety valve in BOTH flow directions. The OPD is set to about 80% of total tank capacity thus allowing for safe thermal expansion of the gas in the tank. The OPD (Overfill Protection Device) is a float inside the tank the shuts off the fill port after it trips at 80%.

Some fillers today will open the bleed valve - completely unnecessary today (OPD equipped tanks) unless the tank was nearly totally emptied - where you will see vapor emerge. This gives the appearance of the pre-OPD days where that is how tanks were frequently filled when a lazy gas jockey didn't want bother to use the proper method of weight. Now the lazy gas jockey only needs to fill until the OPD shuts off the flow.

OPD valve
ottffss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 12:23 PM   #15
Winnebago Watcher
 
Mochisme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Shoreline, WA
Posts: 3
Please note, the reason Propane tanks are "FULL" at 80% is there needs to be space for the Liquid Propane to conver to a gas, as your applicances burn "GAS". The comment of filling until liquid is coming out the vent is WRONG!!!
__________________
Mochisme "Ted"
2000 34' La Palma
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
Mochisme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 12:36 PM   #16
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 1,037
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mochisme View Post
Please note, the reason Propane tanks are "FULL" at 80% is there needs to be space for the Liquid Propane to conver to a gas, as your applicances burn "GAS". The comment of filling until liquid is coming out the vent is WRONG!!!
Look at page 45 of this Propane Training Document
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C Handicap Equipped
F53/V10
1999 Jeep Cherokee & 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
John Hilley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2011, 10:55 PM   #17
Winnebago Watcher
 
Mochisme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Shoreline, WA
Posts: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hilley View Post
Look at page 45 of this Propane Training Document
Ok I looked at it and it does not say anything to disput what I said in my post. I have worked with Propane for over 40 years before I even thought of owning an RV.

You might take the time to just read page "Seven" of the document you linked to, it says and I quote:

"To allow for this expansion, propane containers are typically filled to only 80% of their capacity."

If you want to understand more about this expansion of Propane, read pages 5 through 7 of your linked document.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
__________________
Mochisme "Ted"
2000 34' La Palma
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
Mochisme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2011, 08:10 AM   #18
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 1,037
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mochisme View Post
Ok I looked at it and it does not say anything to disput what I said in my post. I have worked with Propane for over 40 years before I even thought of owning an RV.

You might take the time to just read page "Seven" of the document you linked to, it says and I quote:

"To allow for this expansion, propane containers are typically filled to only 80% of their capacity."

If you want to understand more about this expansion of Propane, read pages 5 through 7 of your linked document.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
I'm not disputing anything about the expansion necessary, I'm merely pointing out that the vent valve is to be opened when filled until liquid starts to spew out.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C Handicap Equipped
F53/V10
1999 Jeep Cherokee & 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
John Hilley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2011, 10:13 AM   #19
Winnebago Owner
 
CJ7ole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 210
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hilley View Post
I'm not disputing anything about the expansion necessary, I'm merely pointing out that the vent valve is to be opened when filled until liquid starts to spew out.
I agree. Last time mine was filled that is what they did. Scared the cra* out of me seeing the liquid propane start shooting out instead of just the vapor, which is bad enough, knowing a single spark would turn it into a huge blowtorch. I see why they want everything off, including your reefer which is often the closest flame.
__________________
Ole and Anne Anderson, Highland, Michigan
'02 Adventurer 32V, Ford F-53, ours since 4/08,Goodyears, Konis, SeeLevel, CHF
'84 CJ-7 , 5.3 Chevy, 3" lift, 33's, Detroit Locker, Fiberglas tub, winch, hi-lift
CJ7ole is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2011, 01:23 PM   #20
Winnebago Camper
 
Shellback1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 28
Send a message via AIM to Shellback1
Quote:
Originally Posted by harvrk View Post
went to fill our propane tank this morn . couldnt get it to fill . would not take propane. any possibilities? any help you can give . the panel says half full.

Make sure they bleed the air out. One place couldn't fill mine and when I filled it at a Flying J the guy said it had a lot of air in it. He said on busses he they have to bleed for about 15 minutes or more to take a charge.
__________________
2006 Damon Daybreak 3274 35' Ford F53 V-10
2006 Ion Retired Navy, FAA and PASS Union VP
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Shellback1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
propane


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Propane tank won't fill Ramzfan General Maintenance and Repair 17 07-14-2017 03:14 PM
Propane fill valve leaking osgoor General Maintenance and Repair 6 05-05-2014 06:16 AM
Water Tank fill Finhawk Plumbing | Systems and Fixtures 12 03-22-2009 06:37 PM
Trickle-fill diesel tank mpatte1 Winnebago General Discussions 9 10-14-2007 10:40 AM
Water tank fill-other than hose lthrnk Plumbing | Systems and Fixtures 13 08-01-2007 09:07 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.