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06-11-2015, 12:38 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Woodinville
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
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Where'd the propane go during winter storage?
We have just discovered both propane tanks are empty after winter storage. Trying to figure out what happened.
My husband thinks he could have left the valves open. If so, would the propane leak out? Or does that mean there is an actual leak somewhere (we've already had a leak repaired a couple times by airstream).
Is it possible someone stole our propane? Can propane be stolen from the tanks or would they simply swap our full ones for empties?
Thanks for ideas and info! Just want to be safe.
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06-11-2015, 12:42 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Superior
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 442
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Theft is a possibility, but I'd have it pressure tested. You want to know.
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06-11-2015, 12:48 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
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It's unlikely that a thief would replace the full bottles with empty ones in some futile effort to delay discovery and it's also unlikely that someone deliberately drained your bottles into some other container so I'm thinking that either the bottles were empty at the end of last season, or you have a leak someplace in your LP system. In either case, I would get a pressure test of your entire LP system done before you refill the LP bottles.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
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06-11-2015, 01:07 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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A very small leak will, over the winter, empty the tank(s). Or a pilot light left on like the one in the stove oven. I would guess something like that rather than anyone substituting your tanks, full for empty.
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06-11-2015, 02:06 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Barring theft, they should not lose any measurable amount. I leave my bottles open for months at a time without loss. There's a small leak somewhere.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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06-11-2015, 07:39 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods
, California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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Turn on a full tank. The change over valve indicator should turn green. Light the stove to make sure the line is filled with propane. Shut the stove off. The system is now under pressure. Close the valve on the propane tank. See how long the change-over flag stays green. Several days, no big problem. A few minutes, you have a detectable leak.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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06-11-2015, 08:42 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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You have a leak. Recommend you have the system leak checked. Potentially a dangerous situation.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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06-11-2015, 09:03 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
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Check your rubber hoses where they connect to the tanks, maybe not tight on the tanks
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06-11-2015, 09:12 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,408
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Yup. A leak I bet. Did you have both tanks turned on? With a new Aas, I would make sure that it passes a leak test! Not only is propane explosive, it also will damage lungs when inhaled in relatively low concentrations!
Edit: is it possible either the water heater or fridge were left "on" and used up the propane?
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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06-12-2015, 10:51 AM
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#10
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TinCan
2016 30' Classic
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 880
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No doubt a small leak. The hoses leading from the bottles would be the first place to check.
__________________
TinCan
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06-12-2015, 11:42 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
North Fort Myers
, Florida
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 59
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Get a propane leak detector for inside the unit! Older units did not have them. propane is heavier than ambient atmosphere and will stay at floor level. Static or electrical spark will allow new exit points in your camper! ie., explosion
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06-12-2015, 12:02 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2012 23' FB International
Woodstock
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,428
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You can at least do a soap test on fittings outside the trailer. Make up a solution of dish detergent in a spray bottle; about 1 teaspoon of detergent to 10 ounces of water should give you a good solution. Spray the fittings including the attachments to the bottles and the auto change over unit. Soak everything real good and wait. Big leaks are obvious right from the start. Small leaks show up as fine white bubbles that take time to show up over 5 minutes or so.
JCW
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06-12-2015, 12:52 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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Pilot lights
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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06-12-2015, 02:20 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
1993 34' Limited
Scituate
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22
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Losing LP?
We could not figure out where the LP leak was; it took 3 years of smelling & not smelling LP nearby the refrigerator access panel.
Finally, one day I wiggled the copper tubing feeding the refrigerator from under the compartment below the refrigerator and the pipe broke away in my hand.
The tubing was snaked over the wheel well and under the refrigerator but was kinked badly and thus broke easily when I wiggled it.
But, had I left the LP on while in storage, it most certainly would have depleted the supply.
We were lucky to find a solution to this problem....it took a while!
Rich
__________________
Rich
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