Newbie and I let LP tank run dry...

[gquake]

I won't do that again!

I was under the impression I had a regulator that switches automatically between my two 30 or 40 lb tanks (not sure on that yet, but I'll find out next time I fill them), but I do not.

I let the first tank run completely dry and failed to switch over manually so when I tried to light the stove, no dice. No gas, actually.

Likewise, the water heater and catalytic converter are now out.

Last night I tried to switch over manually, made sure the valve on the second (full tank) was open, but still nothing.

I also tried to bleed the system at the stove per multiple recommendations I encountered online and elsewhere, but still nothing (I let the primary burner on the stove run open for several minutes). I didn't hear any gas or smell any after that time and closed everything up. I did have a flame nearby per protocol.

During that time I tried lighting the water heater with the electric ignition several times as well as the catalytic heat converter. Nothing.

Any advice?

How long am I supposed to stand by the stove with a flame to bleed the system of air? I haven't been able to get a clear answer, but several minutes seems long enough... Is there an automatic shutoff on some of the Magic Chef ovens that is preventing me from bleeding the system? BTW, I have a 1998 Excella 31'.

Prior to this I have had no problems with the LP system (no leaks etc.). I had it in storage for several months after I bought it and had no problems after I turned on the gas for the first time--the water heater fired up after the second try...

Thank you!

[idroba]

Are you absolutely sure that the second tank is full? This happens: the regulator has already switched from one tank to the other, and now both are empty. Been there, done that, felt foolish.

If the tank is really full, sounds like a regulator problem. You should have gas with a full tank (or even partly full one) in a few seconds, and you should hear/see a movement of a match flame virtually immediately. It may take 30 + seconds to get the air out of the lines and gas to the burner though.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by gquake

Last night I tried to switch over manually, made sure the valve on the second (full tank) was open, but still nothing.

Unfasten the tanks from their brackets (no need to remove the lines yet) and try to lift them. The weight will tell you if they've both empty or if one still has propane in it.

I also tried to bleed the system at the stove per multiple recommendations I encountered online and elsewhere, but still nothing (I let the primary burner on the stove run open for several minutes). I didn't hear any gas or smell any after that time and closed everything up. I did have a flame nearby per protocol.

How long am I supposed to stand by the stove with a flame to bleed the system of air? I haven't been able to get a clear answer, but several minutes seems long enough... Is there an automatic shutoff on some of the Magic Chef ovens that is preventing me from bleeding the system? BTW, I have a 1998 Excella 31'.

You only have to bleed it at one point, usually a stovetop burner since you can actually see it and confirm by Mark-One Eyeball that you have flame. Once you can get a burner to light and stay lit, THEN it's time to see if anything else will light. As the burner first lights, you'll get a flame with a lot of yellow in it, but when you get a solid blue flame that doesn't flicker or sputter, you've got the air out of the system and you can quit bleeding it.

[Moflash]

Unscrew wing nut on tank hold down. Lift up on the tanks to feel if they have any propane by weight.If so close the tank valve on the tank with fuel give it a couple of mins then slowly open the valve.Turn on stove and light

[gquake]

Thanks, will try your suggestions...

[gquake]

Eureka! Thanks for the help. Both tanks are empty, even though the second tank's gauge reads full. I assume the gauge is bad... Will fill both of them and try again later.

Awesome! I really appreciate it. I'm not sure how long it would have taken me to figure out the lift test.

[pmclemore]

I love to see happy endings. Welcome to the Forums.

BTW - it may help in the future if you edit your profile and tell us what kind of rig you have.

Pat

[Silver Goose]

Originally Posted by gquake

Eureka! Thanks for the help. Both tanks are empty, even though the second tank's gauge reads full. I assume the gauge is bad ...

Do you have a mechanical gauge on the tank? Some of these use a float mechanism not too different from the float in a toilet tank. It may be that the mechanism is stuck and when you remove the tank for filling, thump the tank, bottom end on the ground once or twice. If that's the problem, the mechanism may free up and start reading properly. A similar condition can occur with the overfill device which can prevent gas flow from an open valve on a full tank. A couple of good solid thumps sets things straight again. I've only had this happen when I had to carry the just refilled tank back home in the horizontal position.

The beauty of the auto switchover valve is that you can keep on cooking without any interruption in gas flow. The switchover is seamless. It just means that you need to get in the habit of checking the indicator on a regular basis. Green indicates you are operating off the tank the lever points to. Red on top and green on the bottom means it has switched to the opposite tank. Completely red means you are out of gas or the tank valve(s) are closed. Many find it difficult to see the red when viewing the indicator from above which is the case with the Airstream style tank cover in place with a commonly used Marshall regulator. A small mirror solves this. There are other regulators that have an indicator that is easier to read, something to consider should you have a need to replace the regulator down the road.

[Goal15]

I just try to keep both of my tanks full because I'm not sure my AS switches automatically. We are going to do our first extended cooler weather vacation this coming week, so I went and topped off both tanks in preparation. Looks like we may get to run the furnace a bit but no freezes predicted.......

[robert claus]

Generally, if multiple gas appliances won't work, then both tanks are empty. Did that just last weekend. The water heater wouldn't light, and the refrig had turned off, so I immediately had that sinking feeling. Did the lift test to find both empty. The auto switching doesn't save you - it just postpones the event. Fortunately, we were at Thomson Causeway COE park on the Mississippi, with electric hook up so we had heat and could power the refrig, and just used the shower house in the morning. Stopped and filled both tanks in Clinton IA at Eastern Iowa Propane on Rt 30. Only $19.50 each for my 30lb tanks. Now, I'm back to only opening one tank at a time, so that I have a backup. I thought about buying a 20lb tank at the gas station in town, but a Blue Rhino is $59 filled - you then own the tank and can exchange it. I thought it would be a deposit deal, but I don't want to buy one, so we passed on that.