Propane Tank Venting??

[Joemaz]

We just purchased our 2012 Jayco. Arrived home after 2.5 hr drive last Saturday in 95 degree heat. After arriving, we noticed a hissing sound associated with the smell of propane. I looked under the propane tank and found the plastic cover exposed where the tank vents and venting taking place. This lasted about 1.5 hrs then stopped.
Question? With 17 Gallons of propane, on hot days, is this a normal venting time frame? Glad we don't smoke!!!

Thanks in Advance... "Smiling in Alabama"... Fly Safe U All!

[Foxhaven]

The tank must have been overfilled..(Never more than 80%)....Or the valve has failed...

Get it checked NOW....Very dangerous!

[RickO]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new rig.

It'll be interesting to see what our experts have to say on this but, I think if the tank were full, or over filled, the hot weather could cause this expansion and venting... but it's kind of scary.

Good luck

Rick

[BCooke]

Originally Posted by Foxhaven

The tank must have been overfilled..(Never more than 80%)....Or the valve has failed...

Get it checked NOW....Very dangerous!

Could be a bad relief valve also as the newer bottles are not suppose to be able to overfill.
As mentioned above get it checked. If you just bought it and are close to the dealer give it to him. Do not leave the compartment door closed if possible.

[TXiceman]

You can easily tell how much propane is in the tank now. Take it off the trailer and weight it. Stamped in the metal on the handle, you will fint a TW (TARE Weight) which is the empty bottle weight.

How much does a full 20-pound propane tank weigh

How to Tell How Much Gas Is in a Propane Tank | eHow.com

The bottles should be weighed when filled so they know how much is put in the bottle. Actual bottle weight - TW = actual propane weight.

Trailer propane bottles are typically 20# (like on a home grill), 30# or 40# of propane.

It was either over filled which is next to impossibel with the newer OPD valves, or a bad relief device.

ken

[ga traveler]

I believe you had a overpressure problem, not a overfill problem. When motorhomes are built, the lp system is filled with air to test the system. (cheaper than using lp) some times the air is not bleed off before the tank is filled with lp. If this happens you have pressure in the tank and then the lp is put in to the fill line and you have a overpressure situation. I am sure this is what happened to you. That is why new tanks are supposed to be purged.

[wa8yxm]

I agree the tank was likely overfilled, key word is "WAS" past tense, it's not any more, the excess is what vented.

When next you refill the tank go to an expert, not a gas station or campground or hardware store but a Propane Delivery place, and talk to them.. There COULD be an issue with the tank and if so they are the ones with the skills and tools to dignose and repair.. I would not trust an RV dealer to do this.

[Foxhaven]

They were supposed to purge the air BEFORE they filled it tank with Propane...Check with your Fire Marshal....

Have someone qualified check out the system...

People worry about Five Year Old Tires...And Ho hum about venting Propane?...

[wa8yxm]

Someone once noticed how calm I was after hitting a patch of black ice and fighting to keep car on road (Successfully I might add) I explained that back there on the ice I was too busy to panic and now that we were clear of it there was no need.

Same with the venting propane.. When it is venting it is dangerous.

Once it stops venting, The danger quickly dissapates. And the best advice is to use some of the propane (IE: feed it to your gril for the evening burgers, Cook Heat water, Cool fridge) so as to bleed off the excess before it gets hot and vents again.

But the danger has passed.

But, DO get it looked at when next the tank is refilled.

And yes, they should have purged it when they first filled it... But did they?

[RickO]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

bleed off the excess before it gets hot and vents again.

I learned this the hard way about 20 years ago when I thought that storing the full spare 5# propane tank under the gas grill with the bottle already in use would be a good idea. After all, that's where I put the full bottle feeding the grill.

Nobody got hurt but it was quite a fire there for a few minutes when the spare bottle got hot, gas expanded and vented directly under my gas grill and the steaks that were half done.

Rick

[wa8yxm]

Yup, Glad nobody got hurt, But I would use some of that gas, just to be safe.

I notice that most of the time when I fill up the gauge hits about 3/4 (80% is about 3/4)

[ahicks]

If that tank wasn't purged, it still needs to be done. The air that was in the tank prior to being filled doesn't burn worth a darn and could cause you troubles there (appliances erratic, going out for no reason, hard to light?), as well as increased chance of regulator freeze up in cooler weather. It's not a big deal. You can get it done anywhere there's competent LP gas people around. Shouldn't cost you more than a tank of gas. They'll likely let the contents you have go, then just refill. That's all there is to it.

[Joemaz]

Thanks everyone for the expertise and good advice! What a "rocking' forum of intellect this is!!!
I kinda think the 'AIR' in the tank, then filled with propane is the most likely case. In any event, you folks have opened up our concern and possible remedies.
Thanks Brothers and Sisters!
Fly Yours Safe....

Joe and Pam-- "Say It With A Smile" Alabama.

[RVBulldog]

We just purchased a 2012 Jayco Greyhawk. We were driving into the mountains of New York state on a very hot day. While driving, a loud air rushing sound came from the propane area. Once I pulled over, the problem stopped. I contacted my dealer who said that it was probably the emergency release valve from the pressure. I had a full tank at the time.