Propane Gas Smell

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by spritz

Because I am outside and the detector is on the inside of MH? I stated that I have never smelt it inside. I guess I am not sure what you mean? tb

Sorry, I meant the question for the OP "jlabit" ......

[Melmoses]

Boy, I have gotten totally confused as to who is posting a propane problem. To Spritz: I thought you might have smelled it inside as well as outside. In this case, since there is a strong odor outside and not inside, I believe that your regulator needs replacing. This is an easy fix. To Jlabit: When a tank is empty, you can smell the odor from outside close to the tank, pilot lights will go out when it is empty, in fact nothing works with an empty tank. Gauges are notorious for being wrong so use the water trick to check to see if it is truly empty. Since regulators are a cheap and easy fix, I would replace it first and check all hose connections (do not use metal tools), then have the tank refilled. If you still smell propane (the odorant produces the smell, not the propane) after doing those two things, then carry it immediately to a dealer to have it looked at.

[jlabit]

Thanks for all the replies. Propane scares me!! I found a website that tells me how to do the pressure drop test here:

RV Propane Pressure Drop Test - YouTube

I found a manometer for doing the test here:

Gas LPG Propane Appliance Manifold Low Pressure Gauge Manometer Case 15"WC HVAC | eBay


I worked on aircraft instrument systems for many years in the Air Force, and doesn't look like the pressure drop test is too complicated. Think I will do it myself, because it looks like it is supposed to be done annually. If it fails that test, it is going to a professional for repair.

[jlabit]

Everyone has been so helpful, thought I would post the final thing on my propane smell. I purchased the manometer that was listed in my post above, and conducted the pressure drop test today. There was absolutely zero drop in pressure after turning off the propane valve for 10 minutes. Looks like the smell was caused by the strong smell that occurs when the tank is almost empty. Thanks for your assistance. So glad I found this forum with all you experienced RV'ers.

[spritz]

Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the advise. On a side note my gauge on the dash for the Propane went down too 1/4-1/2 from Full today. Must be the cold it has never moved for the 3 years we have had it.
tb

[HoleInOne]

I had the same problem about 3 weeks ago. Checked all the connections with soapy water and low and behold the regulator was leaking. Replaced and all is well.

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Why didn't the detector go off?

I will answer this one... Propane gas is ordorless and colorless, thus the smell is a chemical, identified up-thread, that they add to the tank so you can smell it.

THIS chemical the vapors are not explosive

The "Propane Detector" detects EXPLOSIVE gas, Propane, butane, Methane, Alcohol, Gasoline and many others that go BOOM if the concentration is high enough and there is a spark or hot somethign or open flame.

But they do not "Smell" the odor at all.

[waynesc]

Agree 100%

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

I will answer this one... Propane gas is ordorless and colorless, thus the smell is a chemical, identified up-thread, that they add to the tank so you can smell it. THIS chemical the vapors are not explosive The "Propane Detector" detects EXPLOSIVE gas, Propane, butane, Methane, Alcohol, Gasoline and many others that go BOOM if the concentration is high enough and there is a spark or hot somethign or open flame. But they do not "Smell" the odor at all.

How does the real propane and the chemical odorant separate ? Normally two gasses combine and stay combined. Release a little from the tank, and you get the combined gas mixture.....propane AND odorant.


How about the example of the air we breathe. It's made up of 70% nitrogen 25% oxygen and the rest is other misc gasses. (Don't whip me if my percentages are off slightly, it's only for example). To separate the oxygen from the nitrogen takes a special machine....they won't easily separate on their own.

[chief02]

Propane and the odorant (Mercaptan) do not separate. Where u smell mercaptan u have gas. Also, mercaptan it self is a highly flammable DOT class 3 flammable gas that is added to the propane in very small ppm amounts. A few drops can smell up a whole neighborhood.