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Old 02-15-2021, 12:14 PM   #1
whitesub93
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Generator not staying on in the cold.

Having problems with the RV generator.....apparently in cold weather you are supposed to use half full tanks. Both of mine are full. Any suggestions?
 
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Old 02-15-2021, 01:23 PM   #2
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I've run into this in cold weather. You have to run down the tank a little so there's more vapor space. I use the cooktop, oven, water heater, heater to draw it down. The Onan's use a lot of fuel and with a full tank, there's too much liquefied gas. In the summer, I've had the bottom 2-3" of the tank freeze up. I'd switch tanks and let the other thaw to use it up.
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Old 02-15-2021, 10:35 PM   #3
Kyle and Lisa
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We had the same issue today in Aransas Pass Texas, as the weather is in freezing temps, although the tanks where not empty, the generator could not keep up ? Old school info, if it's too cold outside the LP gas cannot keep up with the demand if you are also running the furnace, which we are, the ambient temp is too cold to allow the gas to expand from liquid too gas. So I put my tanks that I am not running off of in the basement so they can warm up to the basement temp, instead of the ambient temp and all is good, it may be a pain to switch them out in the middle of the night , but when I do everything kicks in and works with no problem . Just saying, common sense is not to be taken for granted, think about it !!!!!
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Old 02-16-2021, 01:47 PM   #4
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I'm in central Texas and the power is off more than on. I did find out that apparently the gas lines are froze up. The stove will not light and no gas is making it there. Not sure if it's the lines or the regulators. Not supposed to get above freezing until Friday afternoon and6-8 inches more snow tonight.
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Old 02-16-2021, 02:01 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyle and Lisa View Post
We had the same issue today in Aransas Pass Texas, as the weather is in freezing temps, although the tanks where not empty, the generator could not keep up ? Old school info, if it's too cold outside the LP gas cannot keep up with the demand if you are also running the furnace, which we are, the ambient temp is too cold to allow the gas to expand from liquid too gas. So I put my tanks that I am not running off of in the basement so they can warm up to the basement temp, instead of the ambient temp and all is good, it may be a pain to switch them out in the middle of the night , but when I do everything kicks in and works with no problem . Just saying, common sense is not to be taken for granted, think about it !!!!!
I'm really ignorant when it comes to this subject. Would it help to wrap the tanks with an insulated blanket? Something like you would use on a water heater.
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Old 02-16-2021, 03:10 PM   #6
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There are are electric blankets for propane tanks, they are pricey
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Old 02-17-2021, 02:36 AM   #7
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There are are electric blankets for propane tanks, they are pricey

But well worth the price when the when out boondocking and the furnace works, the fridge works,the genny works and life is great.
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Old 02-17-2021, 06:36 AM   #8
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But well worth the price when the when out boondocking and the furnace works, the fridge works,the genny works and life is great.
I will look into these. The problem we have right now is we have only had power for a few hours over the last 4 days. It's off and on.
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Old 02-17-2021, 07:02 AM   #9
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I’m going to order me two of them after this weeks weather. During the mid to low teens and sub zero weather only two thirds of a 30lb tank gets to gas off
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Old 02-17-2021, 07:09 AM   #10
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Down and Dirty solution

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

I had a friend of mine experience this. In his case, the only power he could rely on was 12 volt and Geny. Sounds the same as you.

He purchased two of these kits.
https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-628-04...09108390&psc=1

Purchase two duffel bags and installed one kit inside of each bag. He either taped or stitched the pads inside of each bag. Fished all wiring through so that the bags were removable when not needed, but the main harness for each was still in place.

Mounted switches so they were accessible from the battery storage area.

He has been in extremely low temp situations for work travel and swears he hasn't had an issue since.

AGAIN USE AT YOUR OWN RISK
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Old 02-17-2021, 07:58 AM   #11
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We don’t camp in cold weather so don’t have the problem. But. As a temporary or emergency measure, would several hand warmers taped to the side of a propane tank and wrapped in a blanket provide enough heat? They don’t put out a lot of heat,, but in a coat pocket or inside your gloves they do get pretty warm. And they are cheap. Good for about 8 hours.
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Old 02-17-2021, 09:27 AM   #12
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I wrapped a blanket around one of the tanks yesterday in hopes it would warm it up. Can't drive right now due to icy roads and surgery recovery on my shoulder. When it rains they say !!! LOL
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Old 02-21-2021, 07:19 PM   #13
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cold + propane = bad mix.
this stuff is cold to start with. add cold air around the tank pipes, etc and it just freezes up.
diesel needs winter stuff to not jell up above freezing. gasoline is good to go below zero F..

find a good way to “heat” the tanks. and insulate the fuel lines and injector.
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Old 02-22-2021, 02:15 AM   #14
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sameo sameo

My tanks froze up one night and it wasn`t THAT cold. Bought 2 of these extra large heating pads at Walmart, Amazon has them too. Wrapped them around both tanks, plugged them into the outlet in the basement. Just left them on setting 1 and it no time the water heater worked again.

https://www.amazon.com/XXX-Large-App...ng=UTF8&pd_rd_
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Old 02-22-2021, 08:40 AM   #15
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We wrap home insulation around our propane tanks and also insulate our batteries with it. It works for us.
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Old 02-22-2021, 09:16 AM   #16
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Well folks, found the problem. It was my fault because I "just knew" the propane tanks were full. Well, after looking at everything else I checked and they were both empty. I have not found any leaks in the tank storage areas, but I will not leave the tanks on anymore unless in use.
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Old 02-22-2021, 04:21 PM   #17
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Well folks, found the problem. It was my fault because I "just knew" the propane tanks were full. Well, after looking at everything else I checked and they were both empty. I have not found any leaks in the tank storage areas, but I will not leave the tanks on anymore unless in use.
I hate that when that happens.

Glad you found the fix. Now good luck finding propane
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