Community Forums

Rolly Zimmer · 12-07-2013, 05:14 PM

It has been cold here in Saskatchewan -20 and lower. I went in the MH (2006 Monaco Camelot) 3 days ago and smelled Propane, was not there 5 days ago. I shut off the main valve at the tank and of course it is good now. I quickly looked and could not see immediately a shut valve to the the stove top, I believe the propane smell is from there as I could certainly smell it when I looked under the stove top. With the cold weather obviously there is contraction, I am leaving for Florida on Jan. 1 and want to use the furnace to assist in heating but want to make sure leak is controlled. I found a connection under the stove and once I have heated the coach with heaters I will attempt to tighten the fitting. In the mean time have any of you experienced this and is there a shut off that will make it simpler . Thanks . Can not wait to get out of this deep freeze but it appears even Dallas, Texas, OMG , is freezing.

Rolly

sswilson · 12-07-2013, 05:31 PM

Don't usually find shut-offs at appliances on MHs. Did you try and find the source of the leak? Just put some soapy water in an old spray bottle and spray away. Look for bubbles. Even bubbles the size of frog spit can smell If the mercaptan level in the propane is high enough. Just leave well ventilated while you do your tests. Could be you just hit one of your controls on the stove?

Dutch Star Don · 12-07-2013, 07:51 PM

Some models had a small brass "T" valve that allowed you to turn on and light a center pilot so that the burners could be lit without a match or piezo lighter.

nodine · 12-08-2013, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolly Zimmer

It has been cold here in Saskatchewan -20 and lower. I went in the MH (2006 Monaco Camelot) 3 days ago and smelled Propane, was not there 5 days ago. I shut off the main valve at the tank and of course it is good now. I quickly looked and could not see immediately a shut valve to the the stove top, I believe the propane smell is from there as I could certainly smell it when I looked under the stove top. With the cold weather obviously there is contraction, I am leaving for Florida on Jan. 1 and want to use the furnace to assist in heating but want to make sure leak is controlled. I found a connection under the stove and once I have heated the coach with heaters I will attempt to tighten the fitting. In the mean time have any of you experienced this and is there a shut off that will make it simpler . Thanks . Can not wait to get out of this deep freeze but it appears even Dallas, Texas, OMG , is freezing.

Rolly

Rolly,

Don't know if this is your problem but I have heard that propane regulators can have moisture in them that will freeze in cold weather and cause a problem.

Hope you get it fixed and head south.

Bob

Rolly Zimmer · 12-08-2013, 09:56 AM

Thanks Bob

I have given the regulator possibility a thought. I think I may try and find a place to get the coach inside and warm up totally if electric heat in the coach does not help me before I go. I just do not want to fire the furnace if I have a small leak. Any suggestions as to propane portable heaters if I should need one for the first 2 days of our travels South. Thanks

Rolly

sswilson · 12-08-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolly Zimmer

Thanks Bob

I have given the regulator possibility a thought. I think I may try and find a place to get the coach inside and warm up totally if electric heat in the coach does not help me before I go. I just do not want to fire the furnace if I have a small leak. Any suggestions as to propane portable heaters if I should need one for the first 2 days of our travels South. Thanks

Rolly

I do not believe that a regulator outside would have anything to do with a leak or odor inside. I suggest you lift your cooktop to where you see the burners, make sure all your burner controls are off, open your propane tank, and use soapy water to find the leak if any. Odor does not denote size of leak and if your gas detector was not reacting, there wasn't a lot of gas around. The odor is added to propane and sometimes builds up in tanks. Maybe I seem nonchalant about this but I worked with these gasses for 40 years and have no fear of the smell as the layman might have. If there is a leak under your cooktop, it is only at 11 inches water column pressure (about 3/8 of a pound) it should be very easy to find with the soap. Propane being heavier than air, will drop to the lowest point. Seems like a lot of work to find alternate heating for a couple of days when you could find and fix the leak within a few minutes. Most people don't realize that to ignite propane or natural gas, the mixture with air must fall into an approx 5-15% range and have a source of ignition.

nodine · 12-09-2013, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolly Zimmer

Thanks Bob

I have given the regulator possibility a thought. I think I may try and find a place to get the coach inside and warm up totally if electric heat in the coach does not help me before I go. I just do not want to fire the furnace if I have a small leak. Any suggestions as to propane portable heaters if I should need one for the first 2 days of our travels South. Thanks

Rolly

Rolly,

I have one of these and they work well:

Amazon.com - Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4, 000-9, 000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Radiant Heater - Space Heaters

Bob

Rolly Zimmer · 12-09-2013, 01:37 PM

Just an UPDATE.

Today I mixed up a solution of vehicle antifreeze/dish soap and water and checked the connection I thought was the culprit in -24C Temp. Low and behold a very slow leak at the stove connection. The antifreeze kept it from freezing upon contact and worked really well. Thanks Everyone. ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOURS. 3 weeks till TakeOff.