Propane Leak

[IamGadget]

Hello
2004 Dutch Star
I am in a campground propane tank EMPTY. I was able to get a local home delivery company come to me...First they had to test for leaks and the said it leaks.

They hooked up a BBQ tank with a hose. His meter showed pressure falling meaning there is a leak in the system. He used a meter that emits a red light and starts clicking louder if there is a leak as he tested all the fittings he could do. I opened the outside panel for water heater, the outside panel for the fridge He came inside and scanned around the furnace. He scanned and lit all three burners...I switched the fridge to propane and it was running on propane. He had to end it there and said i need to go to an
RV dealer since he is not equipped re RV's. We could not isolate a the leak.
Any input is certainly appreciated...thanks



Also.....I might want to get one those hoses. What are the names of the fitting that attaches to my Manchester 38 gallon tank and the name of the end that goes into the BBQ tank.
Thank you.

[Ljwt330]

I believe what you're asking about is the Extend-a-stay adapter and hose connection. Example shown below.








The adapter screws in between the tank valve outlet and your pressure regulator. The hose screws into the portable tank and to the small outlet on the Extend-a-stay fitting. There are other manufacturers available.


From your post, it sounds like he used a detection meter but found no place where gas was emitting. I suspect he (or you) will have to do a bit of crawling around in the basement to trace the path of the entire propane plumbing if you do not find the leak in the obvious places. You have not mentioned any propane odor and the tank itself has a safety shut-off if there is a rapid leak. The post regulator pressure is very low, 0.39 psi, so unless the leak is in a confined area it might be difficult to detect the odor.



Keep us posted.

[twinboat]

If your not needing a remote grill hookup, you can just pick one of these up and install it between your tank valve and regulator.

To check for leaks, you turn on the tank to pressures the system and then shut it off.

Now you watch the gauge needle for 5 to 10 minutes. If it drops down to zero, there is a leak. The faster it drops the bigger the leak.

I've used one of these on my boat for ten years and tested for leaks every time I swapped tanks.

They cost under $15. and can stay in the system.

[GaryKD]

Hi IamGadget,
Put some soapy water in a spray bottle. Spray on all connections. No bubbles no leak. Might be a rotted hose, per the age of your coach.

[IamGadget]

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi IamGadget,
Put some soapy water in a spray bottle. Spray on all connections. No bubbles no leak. Might be a rotted hose, per the age of your coach.

Thank you

The tech from local propane delivery service used a meter that emitted a red light and has a clicking sound....I will try the soapy spray.
He could not find the leak...My basement was full. Today i emptied parts of the basement and located a couple of fittings that he did not know about...He is coming back tomorrow.
The only reason i found out i had a leak was because i ordered their service to fill the tank and they had to test for leaks first....
Before all of this i would periodically get a whiff of propane when outside dumping.
That is near the hot water and furnace