Propane tank won't fill

[94-Newmar]

The fixed maximum liquid level gauge has nothing to do with filling a tank other than being a primary stop-gap in addition to the OPD which is part of the main filler valve. As Rotten-Red has mentioned above, the problem with a no-fill situation is either a faulty or stuck float on the OPD or the pump simply isnt creating enough pressure to push the liquid into the tank from the supply side.

I'm not a physics major, perhaps one can chime in on this. But my understanding is that regardless of tank pressure, liquid will always be able to flow into the tank as the supply tank, once coupled to the ASME or DOT tank will be at a greater or equal pressure (differential) provided the OPD is functioning properly AND the supply pump is strong enough to overcome gravity by moving the liquid from the supply tank to the tank being filled. Propane tanks can even be gravity filled (no pump) if the supply tank is positioned higher than the tank being filled, at obviously a much slower rate than if it's velocity is increased with a pump.

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Gocoffeer

This air can block propane from entering the tank.

Depending on my mood when I read about "Air in the tank blocking the propane fro entering" I either Cringe or laugh.

As an idea it's very funny

That anyone would espouse it, Very sad.

Propane is pumped in at well over 100 PSI, I have seen supply side pumps with pressure gauges that had many hundreds of pounds pushing it.. A bit of air in the tank may cause issues when you light the stove.. But air is highly compressable... Less you can convnce me it can enter the tank at 1,000 psi (HINT, the normal air pressure is about 14psi) that is NOT the problem, ever.

The reason a new tank is purged is because the mix of air and propane that would otherwise come out can cause issues with the burners,, Flame outs and such.. NOT because the air in the tank will prevent filling, In fact to purge they partially fill

[GOODFUNGUY]

Rv tanks and controls are not exclusive to rv world.
They cover the whole propane field.
If me i would replace all 3 components. One has failed my luck has been if only change one some where in the system one is as old as the bad part and can fail next. I'll bet you can buy all 3 parts for less then $200
in a system best to replace and start fresh when it is convenient not in a park, rest area or overnight at walmart....rev, bob

[Spikester]

Could your LP gas switch got turned off by mistake if you have one. That would prevent the flow of propane to any propane apparatus in your RV. Do any of your other propane devices work?

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Depending on my mood when I read about "Air in the tank blocking the propane fro entering" I either Cringe or laugh.

As an idea it's very funny

That anyone would espouse it, Very sad.

Propane is pumped in at well over 100 PSI, I have seen supply side pumps with pressure gauges that had many hundreds of pounds pushing it.. A bit of air in the tank may cause issues when you light the stove.. But air is highly compressable... Less you can convnce me it can enter the tank at 1,000 psi (HINT, the normal air pressure is about 14psi) that is NOT the problem, ever.

The reason a new tank is purged is because the mix of air and propane that would otherwise come out can cause issues with the burners,, Flame outs and such.. NOT because the air in the tank will prevent filling, In fact to purge they partially fill

^^^What he said.

[Old-Biscuit]

Seeing as this post is 17 dys old surely you have resolved your ptopane tank filling issue by now.


Care to enlighten us as to the problem/fix????

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Seeing as this post is 17 dys old surely you have resolved your ptopane tank filling issue by now.


Care to enlighten us as to the problem/fix????

X2. Inquiring minds would like to know.

[gsgriffin]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Second: On motor homes, I, and others, have had the emergency cut off on the propane station's pump tripped, Happened to me twice, once mid fill (That was last week by the way).

: Stuck

I'm fairly certain that is what happened to me today. Mobile gas came out to fill my completely empty tank and it would not fill. The hose would fill to the tank, but not go in. Release valve open. Very little pressure left in the tank. Could release the gas in the fill tube, but it won't go in the tank.

So how do you reset the emergency shutoff valve, which appears to be just inside the tank on the feed line?

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by gsgriffin

I'm fairly certain that is what happened to me today. Mobile gas came out to fill my completely empty tank and it would not fill. The hose would fill to the tank, but not go in. Release valve open. Very little pressure left in the tank. Could release the gas in the fill tube, but it won't go in the tank.

So how do you reset the emergency shutoff valve, which appears to be just inside the tank on the feed line?

Emergency Shutoff Valve is part of the LP Vendors System...not your motorhome LP System

LP Tank Fill Valve has an Internal Check Valve .....Vendors pump pressure Opens the check valve so liquid propane can flow into tank
Fill Valve connection Inside the tank has an OPD (Overfill protection device----Float that rises/lowers dependent on liquid level)
Float rises to 80% Liquid Level and shuts off filling process
*Secondary Means....should not be used as primary --the Fixed Level Guage (Bleeder Valve) should be cracked open when filling.
Vapor comes out until liquid level reaches 80% then liquid will spit out bleeder and filling should be stopped

Suspect your Fill connection Check Valve is sticking closed or Vendors pump pressure is low/weak

[gsgriffin]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Emergency Shutoff Valve is part of the LP Vendors System...not your motorhome LP System

LP Tank Fill Valve has an Internal Check Valve .....Vendors pump pressure Opens the check valve so liquid propane can flow into tank
Fill Valve connection Inside the tank has an OPD (Overfill protection device----Float that rises/lowers dependent on liquid level)
Float rises to 80% Liquid Level and shuts off filling process
*Secondary Means....should not be used as primary --the Fixed Level Guage (Bleeder Valve) should be cracked open when filling.
Vapor comes out until liquid level reaches 80% then liquid will spit out bleeder and filling should be stopped

Suspect your Fill connection Check Valve is sticking closed or Vendors pump pressure is low/weak

The vendor didn't know motorhomes, but are large tanks he stated there can be an emergency shutoff as a part of the fitting where the hose goes into the tank. We could charge the hose between the vendor connector and tank. I could push on the check valve and get a short burst of gas coming back out from the hose, but it stops quickly even though there is a little pressure still in the tank.

I guess I have to assume that the float is stuck....assuming that is connected to the fitting of the inlet hose. I wanted to completly empty my tank and I ran it until all the gas was used. Tried tapping on the inlet fitting with the rubber handle side of the hammer, but still it is closed.

If the only option is the float, how do you unstick it?

[Old-Biscuit]

Tank empty....unscrew the Fill Valve

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by jstbu

He had trouble with a couple other coaches in the park today, but got everyone else's to work. But mine won't take propane, like its full, but its not.

If you've not had problems before, I'd look at your vendor's pump pressure.

[gsgriffin]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Tank empty....unscrew the Fill Valve

I read in some cases that the float could be difficult to remove unless the tank was removed and the fitting was rotated to be at the top. That way the float would dangle vertically. Have you removed this before? Is there s a special pipe thread application for propane?

[gsgriffin]

Originally Posted by Bobby F

If you've not had problems before, I'd look at your vendor's pump pressure.

That was my initial guess, but the pressure and safety valve are right where the vendor hose attaches. After hooking up and turning on, it would quickly stop. Removing the vendor hose, we could force back the check valve and get a quick burst of gas coming back out...about the amount that charged the 4' long hose from the valve to the tank. Once that burst came out from the hose, there was nothing more. However, the bleeder valve could be opened and showed that the tank still had a little bit of pressure left in it. So, there is little doubt that the pressure is being stopped at the end of the fill hose and at the tank.

It sure would be nice if I didn't have to drive somewhere far away and try to get someone that might know how to fix this for a lot of money if it something I can do myself with the right materials.

Sounds like I need to try to remove the fitting where the fill hose enters the tank. Would like to confirm or reject the idea that I may have to remove the tank and rotate it so the fitting is at the top for the float can be removed.