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10-25-2020, 01:10 PM
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#1
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New Hampshire
Posts: 79
THOR #17462
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Propane System Advice
My stove in my 25-year-old RV I think was leaking last winter. So I pulled it out. I don't use a stove anyway. My tank emptied so that's a good thing.
Now the winter is coming and I'd like to run the heat using the propane.
But I've never filled the propane tank before and I'm not 100% sure how to do this.
Basically what I need to do is go to a propane fill station and hire them to fill the tank. But I shouldn't have them actually fill it I should probably have them only put a little bit in.
Then I should get a propane sniffer and take it up to the three components that use propane the water heater the furnace and the place where the stove was and sniff around everything to make sure there are no leaks.
Then my final step would be to fill up the whole tank?
Do I have a good plan?
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10-25-2020, 01:26 PM
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#2
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Any decent propane filling station should be able to take care of the "sniffing" chores. Just be sure to ask them to check things out...
Good luck!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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10-25-2020, 01:31 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,773
THOR #20289
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As Bob notes, let the propane fill station do the sniffing. But also, how have you closed the propane supply that used to go to the stove. You need to block it off with a fitting at the end of the tubing. Better yet is to disconnect the stove propane supply tubing at a T underneath your RV and plug it off there.
David
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10-25-2020, 03:08 PM
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#4
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New Hampshire
Posts: 79
THOR #17462
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidEM
As Bob notes, let the propane fill station do the sniffing. But also, how have you closed the propane supply that used to go to the stove. You need to block it off with a fitting at the end of the tubing. Better yet is to disconnect the stove propane supply tubing at a T underneath your RV and plug it off there.
David
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Thanks, I'm fairly sure I turned it off at a valve at the connector to the stove. I will double check. I plan on installing a small stovetop soon.
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10-25-2020, 03:10 PM
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#5
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New Hampshire
Posts: 79
THOR #17462
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
Any decent propane filling station should be able to take care of the "sniffing" chores. Just be sure to ask them to check things out...
Good luck!
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Oh great! I didn't know that.
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10-25-2020, 03:20 PM
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#6
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New Hampshire
Posts: 79
THOR #17462
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
Any decent propane filling station should be able to take care of the "sniffing" chores. Just be sure to ask them to check things out...
Good luck!
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Oh great! I didn't know that.
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10-25-2020, 04:05 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,773
THOR #20289
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NateHTP
Thanks, I'm fairly sure I turned it off at a valve at the connector to the stove. I will double check. I plan on installing a small stovetop soon.
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It would be lots safer to put a cap on that valve in addition to turning it off. Valves can leak and can also get knocked open.
David
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10-25-2020, 04:07 PM
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#8
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New Hampshire
Posts: 79
THOR #17462
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Any tips on how to find a good propane refill store? I'm not sure how to search this on Google maps effectively...
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10-25-2020, 04:10 PM
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#9
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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You're in New Hampshire?
Try Googling, "propane tank re-filling near me"
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10-25-2020, 04:19 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NateHTP
Any tips on how to find a good propane refill store? I'm not sure how to search this on Google maps effectively...
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You have a few of them near you:
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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10-25-2020, 05:16 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,773
THOR #20289
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Googling can work. Tractor Supply stores often can do bulk propane fills. Also some U Haul rental centers as well as some RV parks.
With a Google Maps search I try to zoom in on the place with Google's satellite view and look for a bulk propane tank, a sure sign of bulk fill capability.
David
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10-25-2020, 06:03 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NateHTP
My stove in my 25-year-old RV I think was leaking last winter. So I pulled it out. I don't use a stove anyway. My tank emptied so that's a good thing.
Now the winter is coming and I'd like to run the heat using the propane.
But I've never filled the propane tank before and I'm not 100% sure how to do this.
Basically what I need to do is go to a propane fill station and hire them to fill the tank. But I shouldn't have them actually fill it I should probably have them only put a little bit in.
Then I should get a propane sniffer and take it up to the three components that use propane the water heater the furnace and the place where the stove was and sniff around everything to make sure there are no leaks.
Then my final step would be to fill up the whole tank?
Do I have a good plan?
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A/C refrigerant sniffer will work on propane also.
__________________
Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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10-25-2020, 07:24 PM
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#13
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New Hampshire
Posts: 79
THOR #17462
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Thank you call so much! I have some homework to do.
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1996 Hurricane 30'
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10-26-2020, 11:37 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tuscany 42GX
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,158
THOR #9178
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Soapy water has been utilized for years to check for gas leaks in addition to hydrocarbon sniffers
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10-26-2020, 03:53 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
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If you're unfamiliar with how to get propane tanks filled or where it sounds like you may also be a novice rver also?
Just be very careful working with propane, it's extremely flammable, will collect in low areas & easily ignited. Also requires specific fittings when connecting appliances. If adding different alliances than original may require regulator to be removed.
If you're not sure of any of these find help from someone that is! Your local propane distributor may have the proper fittings & people to help you out.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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10-26-2020, 05:46 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 23U
State: North Carolina
Posts: 106
THOR #18547
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Do the propane tanks in the RV have an "expiration date" after which they would require replacement?
I am of the understanding that my grill tank is good for 10 years.
__________________
James G.
2017 Thor Chateau 23U
Ford E450
Charlotte, NC
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10-26-2020, 06:17 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Fourwinds 24F
State: North Carolina
Posts: 766
THOR #9511
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A cut-n-paste...
What's The Difference Between ASME And DOT Tank?
ASME tanks are, as their name suggests, approved by a regulatory body called the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. These tanks are built onto the frame of a motorhome and so, as they cannot be removed need to be refilled in place. They’re generally heavier than a DOT tank of the same capacity. These are for stationary installation. No certification period is required ( but they do need a periodic inspection).
DOT cylinders are regulated according to Department of Transportation rules and as they are designed to be easily replaceable they are mounted in exterior propane tank holders located on the bumper of a trailer. These are the kind of propane tanks you can swap out at a gas station when they are spent. These are designed for portable applications such as those found in recreational vehicles and re-certification is required after 12 years from the date of manufacture and then every 5 years.
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10-31-2020, 09:08 PM
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#18
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 32R
State: South Carolina
Posts: 67
THOR #17209
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When leak checking, remember that squirrels love to eat the rubber lines under a motorhome and that can cause a major leak.
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