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Originally Posted by John Kalmbach
Confirm the main LP Gas valve is "on".
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It takes several turns, mine it tight at close and open but spins pretty freely in the middle. Make sure you open it until there is resistance, but don't force it past there.
Quote:
Easiest way would be to start the van and see if the furnace lites when the van engine is running (provided the alternator is charging the house battery).
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Shore power should provide power directly to the house batteries, so you don't have to wait until the van batteries top off.
Quote:
Originally Posted by neeemo
I was referring to the smell when I was trying to purge the LP system. It's not from the furnace. John told us to bleed the tank until we get a strong LP smell.
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On filling, your propane dealer (I can hear Hank Hill: Pro-pain and pro-pain related accessories) should know the correct method. Unfortunately every one's idea of correct is different.
The gauge on your SMB has red for about the 1st quarter and for the last.
You should never let it get to zero (through the red) because a dealer might insist that indicates a leak and refuse to fill without a complete leak test on the system.
The upper red is for expansion pressure- you fill in winter to 3/4 and it gets warm, the last 1/4 is for that expansion.
When filling the attendant opens the bleeder valve. It is possible to fill until liquid propane comes out the bleeder, and I've had a few that think this is the correct procedure. SMB and my friendly local RV shop say stop at smell, which is the indicator you're about to get liquid.
Either way gets you to about 3/4 of a tank. I imagine if you keep going once liquid is pouring out you can go over, but otherwise I haven't seen problems from the fills.
Once the bleeder is closed and the pump is off, the line is still pressurized. On all the fill systems I've seen there is a back pressure line- usually a rubber tube going back along the hose and loose on the ground. The attendant should release the pressure in the line and you get strong propane smell as it dissipates a few feet away. If they don't, when they pull the pressurized line, you get an unwelcome burst of propane into the van chassis. Let me tell you, even with a fantastic fan this is a drag to get rid of (although not as bad as diesel).
As long as your gauge is above the lower red you should have sufficient propane in the tank to run the furnace.