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Confusing propane issue [message #264488] Sun, 19 October 2014 08:55 Go to next message
lance is currently offline  lance   United States
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Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
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I have an "Extended Stay" Kit fitted to my main propane tank. For those who don't know, it's a brass fitting that is added to the plumbing before the regulator. A four foot hose allows a portable propane tank to be hooked up. I have two, 7 1/2 gallon tanks and just keep refilling those while keeping my main tank full. I've done this on all three of the GMC's I've owned. My current 74 Palm Beach sat in storage for ten months. I'm now living in the coach full time but have a new development. When I open the valve on the portable tank, the propane flows and I can use the stovetop, but the next time I try to light the stove, no propane. I closed the valve to the portable tank and opened the on-board tank and I get propane. I turn off the main tank and back to the portable. Story repeats.

What's up? I used this system for a year before storing it and all was well. Can anyone shed some light on this?


1974 Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Confusing propane issue [message #264495 is a reply to message #264488] Sun, 19 October 2014 11:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sgltrac is currently offline  sgltrac   United States
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Registered: April 2011
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Senior Member
Try closing all loads on the propane and then open your portable cyl with no open loads.

Todd Sullivan

Sully
77 royale
Seattle

> On Oct 19, 2014, at 9:55 AM, Lance wrote:
>
> I have an "Extended Stay" Kit fitted to my main propane tank. For those who don't know, it's a brass fitting that is added to the plumbing before the
> regulator. A four foot hose allows a portable propane tank to be hooked up. I have two, 7 1/2 gallon tanks and just keep refilling those while keeping
> my main tank full. I've done this on all three of the GMC's I've owned. My current 74 Palm Beach sat in storage for ten months. I'm now living in the
> coach full time but have a new development. When I open the valve on the portable tank, the propane flows and I can use the stovetop, but the next
> time I try to light the stove, no propane. I closed the valve to the portable tank and opened the on-board tank and I get propane. I turn off the main
> tank and back to the portable. Story repeats.
>
> What's up? I used this system for a year before storing it and all was well. Can anyone shed some light on this?
> --
> 1974 Palm Beach
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.
Re: [GMCnet] Confusing propane issue [message #264496 is a reply to message #264495] Sun, 19 October 2014 11:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
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Registered: October 2007
Location: Victoria, BC CANADA
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If the small tank is low, would the big tank be flowing in to the small tank?
Equalizing?
Re: [GMCnet] Confusing propane issue [message #264499 is a reply to message #264496] Sun, 19 October 2014 11:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lance is currently offline  lance   United States
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
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No, I only have one tank open at a time. If both were open I'm sure they'd try to equalize.

1974 Palm Beach
Re: Confusing propane issue [message #264501 is a reply to message #264488] Sun, 19 October 2014 12:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lance is currently offline  lance   United States
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
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OK, after poking around I discover that I have a half full 7 1/2 gallon tank that is half full but I disconnected the hose and opened the valve. Nothing. The tank is new (one year old) and obviously has propane in it. I can see the dew like because it's cool here this morning and it weighs twice as much as the empty one.

Is the float stuck or something? Anyone know how to solve this?


1974 Palm Beach
Re: Confusing propane issue [message #264502 is a reply to message #264488] Sun, 19 October 2014 12:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
winter is currently offline  winter   United States
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Registered: September 2007
Location: MPLS MN
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Most extension hoses have a flow engaged check valve that blocks the hose if too much gas flows too quickly. If you opened the tank valve with the far end of the hose not attached to anything then you tripped the safety valve. It needs about a half hour without pressure on either side to open back up.

Jerrod Winter
1977 Palm Beach
Green Jelly Bean
Twin Cities, Minnesota
Re: Confusing propane issue [message #264543 is a reply to message #264488] Sun, 19 October 2014 21:54 Go to previous message
lance is currently offline  lance   United States
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Okay, it seems as though some dirt or contamination kept the brass fitting on the end of the four foot hose kept the flow valve from opening. I cleaned out the crud and "Presto" I have gas. Wait, let's say I now can light the stove.

1974 Palm Beach
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