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chunker · 03-20-2018, 07:58 PM

In another posting I asked about heating issues where I felt I wasn't getting the propane heater to fire or heat correctly. I also commented that I recently filled the propane tank, fixed 31 gallon tank. Prior to the recent filling, at a place I had previously used, the propane fired items worked good. In addition to the heater the water heater is reluctant to fire up. I have to have it go through 5-6 attempts before it will fire and stay lit. Stove lights normally but the ignitor is slow to get it lit. A butane fire starter or match will light a burner promptly. No propane oven.

If I have received a "bad batch" what checks can I do with the propane?. I have heard of excessive oil in propane causing problems. Is water an issue? If I have a contaminate, how can I purge the tank short of emptying it and refilling? Looking for suggestions. Thanks

BFlinn181 · 03-20-2018, 10:31 PM

I'd take it to an LP gas shop and have them check it. If it's bad, you could perhaps get the place that filled it reimburse you.

Old-Biscuit · 03-20-2018, 10:34 PM

Replace your LP Regulator........

jelag · 03-21-2018, 04:42 AM

Old Biscuit is in the right direction... I used to run a couple of vehicles on propane and have spent some time in that industry... and had a couple of friend who ran a bulk plant... I don't ever remember seeing a contaminated batch of fuel... I have seen small tanks that have had the valve left open where moisture could enter the tank and condense on the inside and later rust...

Remember that the fuel in the tank is a liquid, and it has to boil off to a gas to leave the vapor port on the top of the tank to enter the regulator..

Usually the inlet side of the regulator will have a screen which will show you anything that's suspended in the gas as it leaves the tank and enters the regulator...

chunker · 03-21-2018, 06:04 AM

Regulator could be the problem that's getting worse. I also have a 2nd propane heater for the rear of the coach. It's in the far left rear corner and provides a more direct heat to the bath and bedroom. When we bought it the heater worked but have had difficulty since with it. While I had an ESP I took the coach in for a few repairs and included that. They said the pressure/flow was low and that by placing a towel over the exhaust while it was trying to fire, you could get it to light and stay lit. They did tell me the pressure it had at the heater but I don't remember what that was. They also measured at the stove and said that was low but not low enough to affect cooktop burner operation. Otherwise the heater will go through 3 cycles of attempting to fire then stop. Since we don't go places that are really cold for long periods of time I have no worried about that.

BUT it appears the issue is affecting other appliances so time to act on it. As I recall from my last investigations of it, the regulator is the type that lays on it's side for the vent to be down as opposed to vertical orientation. When we got the coach I was going to install an "extend-a-stay" or some such device but the fittings used by Winnebago were not compatible with the kit sold at CW. I even called the manufacturer and they confirmed that my model wouldn't work as a quick bolt on. I might have been able to put together a series of adaptor but didn't. At any rate my "play" with the propane system didn't change anything at that time and that was almost 3 years ago.