Propane problems - Montana Owners Club

BobnLee · 12-20-2023, 04:59 PM

This is driving me crazy which is usually a short trip . I parked my trailer after winterizing it at my daughter's farm. I know I had one full 30lb bottle of propane with the bottle turned off. Went to the trailer and found my propane bottle empty. Replaced both 30 lb bottles filled up and left for Florida. Only using one bottle to run the fridge and one nite using the trailer I made it to Florida. After a week the bottle drained and I turned on second bottle . Propane gone after 3 days and wasn't being used other than cooking . No smell of propane leaking. I'm at my wits end. Any info or help would be appreciated

**AZ Traveler** · 12-20-2023, 05:03 PM

Bob,

I would be suspect of the flex hose going to the tank. You may not smell a slow leak.

BobnLee · 12-20-2023, 05:15 PM

Thankyou AZ traveller will change them out.

Kyle and Lisa · 12-20-2023, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobnLee

Thankyou AZ traveller will change them out.

Check all the connections you can access with soapy water spray for leaks first before replacing anything.

Kyle and Lisa · 12-20-2023, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle and Lisa

Check all the connections you can access with soapy water spray for leaks first before replacing anything.

Look for bubbles. Wala, theirs your leak!

Foldbak · 12-20-2023, 06:46 PM

Shut down the electrical system! You should be able to smell that kind of leak! Propane leak bad!

RMcNeal · 12-21-2023, 04:52 AM

I agree on the pigtails to the tank is most likely place of leak. If you are sure the tank was turned off and it still emptied, then the OPD valve could also be a source for the leak. You may need to get the valve replaced or get new tanks if that's the case.

Bourbon County · 12-21-2023, 05:23 AM

Before you start buying and replacing hoses and fittings, find the leak. Propane is heavier than air and you could possibly have a leak in an elevated place and settling to a lower space. Soapy water will work but it's a slow grind sometimes and you will likely have fittings located where you won't be able to see all the way around the fitting. One of these is a very good investment:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klein-Tools...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have one of a different brand and use it when I get tanks refilled and every time I take the rig out. Not a big financial investment.

twindman · 12-21-2023, 09:07 AM

I second the propane detector idea. I have one that only cost $20-30 I think. It is easy to use around the valves and hoses. I had a leak somewhere there and the water method didn't find anything. The detector works great.

jsb5717 · 12-21-2023, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I agree on the pigtails to the tank is most likely place of leak. If you are sure the tank was turned off and it still emptied, then the OPD valve could also be a source for the leak. You may need to get the valve replaced or get new tanks if that's the case.

If it is the bottle that's leaking you can go to a gas supply like Airgas, Praxair, etc. They will often just swap bottles with you. You pay for the gas, of course, but the bottle maintenance and re-certification stuff is taken on by them. They have in-house systems to test and take care of the bottles.

The swapped bottles don't always look as nice as the ones that came with the trailer, but who sees them anyway. As long as they perform well...

brycesteiner · 12-21-2023, 10:01 AM

Are you certain they filled the second tank or just charged you for it?

BobnLee · 12-21-2023, 05:46 PM

Oh yes the filled the tank I had to carry it thank you for your thoughts. Appreciate it

Our3231CK · 12-23-2023, 10:57 AM

I installed Mopeka tank monitoring devices just this last fall. They have been good in keeping an eye on both tanks. If the valves were shut off, you shouldn't see any change in percent gas left in the bottle, which would isolate your troubleshooting.

DutchmenSport · 12-23-2023, 03:40 PM

I had a similar problem on my previous travel trailer (Outback), 30 pound tanks. One emptied, even if it was turned completely off. I never figured it out. It never had smells, and all the "bubble tests" never produced a single bubble anywhere. It didn't matter if the tank was on, or if it was turned completely off. It was always empty after a few weeks of non-use. I never figured it out. The other tank was perfectly fine, and switching positions made no difference. One held the propane just fine. The other tank, the propane disappeared. So, I finally removed the probematic tank and just let it sit. Eventually, it still went empty. So. I knew the problem was the tank. I simply quit using it. Even sitting in the garage, it still never smelled.

TenOC · 12-23-2023, 03:49 PM

Do you have one tank on each side? We had a leaking "Red regulator". Could not find any leak with soap. However, we had a pressure gauge on one tank that showed a lead. Replaced the red regulator and all solved.

twindman · 12-23-2023, 08:05 PM

I believe there is some sort of regulator in the tanks in case the valve gets destroyed. Somewhere in there is some sort of overflow thing that can stick open and leak out the propane.

BobnLee · 12-24-2023, 07:41 AM

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice. I switched out both tanks and now it seems the problem has been solved. Always a learning experience. A great forum.....

Foldbak · 12-24-2023, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobnLee

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice. I switched out both tanks and now it seems the problem has been solved. Always a learning experience. A great forum.....

Glad you got it solved.

Foldbak · 12-24-2023, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twindman

I believe there is some sort of regulator in the tanks in case the valve gets destroyed. Somewhere in there is some sort of overflow thing that can stick open and leak out the propane.

If you open the valve on your RV propane tank too quickly, you risk tripping the excess flow valve and having to fight to go back and forth with the system to get it to cooperate. The excess flow valve is a spring-loaded needle valve designed into the POL or connection valve and is rated to a specific flow or pressure.

Majorpolk · 12-27-2023, 01:55 PM

Certainly this can be a challenge, I am a licensed propane dealer. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is the extra outlet provided for a grill. They can definitely leak. Also, propane does not smell. So if they failed to inject the stink you would not notice. And yes that happens more than you would think. The advice for a sniffer is good advice. It doesn’t look for the stink, it looks for gas. Also the advise about propane being heavier that air is very important. Additionally, note that in cold weather you may not smell the gas. Cold weather reduces pressure, makes us limit our time around the gas outside, frequently reduces wind so the Oder doesn’t carry and can be so windy it blows the smell away. You are loosing a lot of gas so this could be very dangerous. Good luck.

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