| Propane Patrol [message #299819] |
Thu, 28 April 2016 14:18  |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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The shutoff valve on my propane tank died. After resurrection two years ago with new packing, it finally died again, and had burrs turned on the sealing shaft. So I took it off the tank, which destroyed the remainder of it by warping the brass, and hied myself down to Blossman Gas. Buck, the local manager, found a replacement in one of his catalogs and ordered it, due here tomorrow for $30. According to Buck, it is the same as the valve on a 100 # upright cylinder, but instead of a 200 PSI relief it has a 350 PSI relief, required for over the road tanks. Fisher, the original manufacturer, is long out of the brass valve binniss. When the new one arrives, I'll post manufacturer and model number.. it ought to fit the 26' tanks as well.
Meantime, I decided to remove the tank and paint it, and have an easier time of replacing the valve without damage. Four carriage bolts, ought to be simple enough. The outer two wrung off quite easily. The inner two aren't visible, although they can be reaches with a wrench. One's tucked under the frame rail, one under the exhaust. Neither would let go, instead of disintegrating they have wallowed the holes in the tank foot. So I got out my trusty Blackened Pecker Heathen Chinee Dremel clone, and a box of cutoff wheels and a cold chisel. I had the fist one nearly done by crosscutting the head and chiselling it off when the Dremel clone spat sparks and died. Upon disassembly I found it quite well made - security Torx fasteners holding it together, ball bearings on both ends of the motor, big ball bearing at the chuck. Nice DC permanent magnet motor run by a circuit card with a bridge and a pass transistor to regulate the speed. And although it has three detents on the speed control it's merely a 500K pot, the speed is actually continuously variable. The variable speed model was 5 or ten dollars extra, I suspect all they did was remove the detents and the F M S markings on the speed control wheel. Anyway, the only non-serviceable parts in the thing are the brushes, in a fixed plastic holder under a swaged - on metal plate with the rear bearing in it.
I think I can get the valve back on the tank without damage even with the tank in place.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Propane Patrol [message #299861 is a reply to message #299819] |
Fri, 29 April 2016 10:55  |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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True to his word, Buck of Blossman Gas produced the proper valve for our propane tanks. The original was Fisher, now no longer producing them. However, the Sherwood valve is the replacement. Mine has Sherwood 3250A cast in the brass, I suspect this is the part number. Stamped on the boss on the other side is 4514, which I suspect means it was produced in November of 2014. According to Buck, this valve is identical to the valve fitted to a 100 pound upright tank, except the pressure relief is set higher for over the road use. Anyway, it fits and works and doesn't leak.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Propane Patrol [message #299881 is a reply to message #299819] |
Fri, 29 April 2016 14:57 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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It's like a Chinese puzzle, but you >can< get the tank out of a 23' without taking any of the valves or fittings off it. You do have to take the cap off the fill valve though. Then you can tilt it to the rear and slide the other end out and out she comes. Goes back the same way.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
[Updated on: Fri, 29 April 2016 14:59] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Propane Patrol [message #299901 is a reply to message #299819] |
Fri, 29 April 2016 20:45 |
Darryl
Messages: 144
Registered: December 2011
Location: Northern California
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Getting the tank out of a 26 foot is relatively easy. the biggest problem I had was burning off the balance of the propane after the gauge showed empth. Once it was empty I pulled the tank. Lots of surface rust but the rust came off with a steel brush and there didn't appear to be any serious pitting. I used a 3M paint removal wheel on my 3/8" drill to remove the rust and most of the paint. It worked a lot better than a steel brush wheel that just kind of "melted" the rust. The 3M wheel took it down to bare metal. I had to use a small steel brush wheel (and an actual steel brush) around the valves and around the labels and manufacturer's plate.
Once I had all the rust and most of the paint off I treated it with POR15 metal prep to remove any remaining rust. I kept it wet for 30 minutes or so and then rinsed it off with running water while wiping it with a sponge. Then I wet-sanded it with 400 grit sandpaper using 3-4 sheets. Rinsed and wiped it again. Then primed it with two coats (one can) of Rustoleum "Stop Rust" ? primer. Wet-sanded it again with 400 grit sandpaper (2-3 sheets) and painted it with a couple of coats of Rustoleum gloss in a light beige (1 1/2 cans).
Now for the valves. If I could find the valves I need and be sure I had the right ones I would swap them myself. What research I have done suggests it is hard to find someone to sell you a valve for a propane tank. There's probably a reason involving insurance companies. I could probably find the service valve but, from what I am told, the fill valve is a little tricky to install and it has to be the right one. So, I spent a couple of extra dollars and had a propane dealer replace the valves. Found one that would replace both valves and the gasket on the gauge for $100.
Once I got the tank back I installed it with new grade 5 bolts and spent $100 for a new regulator and an "Extenda-Flow" connection to run a barbeque off the coach tank. I could have found the regulator and fittings cheaper on the Internet but it was worth an extra $20-30 to make sure I had the right sizes and threads.
No more leaks and no more arguments about whether my rusty tank is legal or certified. It looks like new.
Darryl Meyers
1978 Eleganza II
El Dorado Hills, CA
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| Re: Propane Patrol [message #299925 is a reply to message #299819] |
Sat, 30 April 2016 10:34 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I suspect yours looks better than mine, I knocked the surface rust off and primed it with Rust-Oleum priner, then a coat of Rust-Oleum gray same as before. Doesn't look half bad.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Propane Patrol [message #299929 is a reply to message #299925] |
Sat, 30 April 2016 12:39 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I did the same to mine about 10 years ago minus the primer. It still looks good after that time. I did not remove the propane. I simply turned off the valve and removed the tank from the coach. Then I painted the nearly full tank of gas Rustoleum gray.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Propane Patrol [message #299930 is a reply to message #299819] |
Sat, 30 April 2016 13:08 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Mine was empty from the leaking valve. New valve on it now, and I hazarded six bux on a Schrader valve and adaptor to test before it goes back in. 75PSI, no bubbles, sitting now, I'll test it tonight. If it's still holding I'll reinstall and hook it up and go see Frady for some propanee.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Propane Patrol [message #299939 is a reply to message #299819] |
Sat, 30 April 2016 17:51 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Holds pressure for six hours, the valve ain't leaking. Reinstall manana and fill it Monday. Thus Bean Station looks to be see about electrifying the choke on the heathen chinee genset and powering the brake pump properly if I can find a connector.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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