How does it work

[Gibson3798]

Rank newbie here, so bear with me.

I’m confused as to how the propane systems for the refrigerator and water heater are reactivated after being shut off for traveling or storage.

I assume they automatically reignite but want to be informed on the subject.

[ROBERT CROSS]

The tanks don't have to be shut down for towing.

When they are shut off for storage I usually get a butane match and click away at the stove until the burner lights to purge the air from the lines.

After that the fridge and water heater usually light after several tries.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[lsbrodsky]

Yes to all of the above, but to get my refrig to light the first try, I run the furnace first, for just a minute, which pulls propane up into that portion of the piping. Until I shut off the tanks, everything stays ready to light, then.
Larry

[Silver Otter]

Yep, those are the things which work. I've also stumped myself by opening the tank valves too quickly. I learned that a slow, easy valve opening works best.

[drbrick]

Yep - all above - for us the end point is the stove once lit all work

[Stews]

I think it's the law in most states that you turn off propane tanks when towing. Let me know if I'm wrong. I think it's a good idea.

[lsbrodsky]

Nope. A few bridges and tunnels require it, but not the highways.


Larry

[Gulliver72]

We need to turn refrigerator off, then on again after propane lines are purged. We always travel with tanks on.

[hhendrix]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

Nope. A few bridges and tunnels require it, but not the highways.


Larry

Some ferries and gas stations too.

[Mollysdad]

I have never turned off the propane tanks. Even in storage.
When traveling, I switch the fridge to gas, and arrive with nice cold food!

Originally Posted by hhendrix

... gas stations too.

Who turns off the propane for getting gas?

I'm reminded that some stations also ban the use of cell phones while pumping gas even though there's never been a case in the world where a cell phone caused a gas explosion.

Now if you want to smoke while gassing up, I have a problem with that!

[Hoagie]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Who turns off the propane for getting gas?

Uh, oh. Let the debate begin.

Many people do and I expect there will be several that will weigh in here on this matter. I don't turn our tanks off either when gassing up. Why? Because gas fumes are 3 to 4 times heavier than air. They can spread over long distances and they tend to accumulate in low places. But they are not going to climb up the side of the trailer to reach the fridge access panel at the exact time the fridge is reigniting.

As for cellphone usage at the gas station a quick search will reveal numerous sources stating that using your cell phone does not cause the fire/explosion when pumping gas. What does is static electricity, often picked up when you slide back into your vehicle to get your phone once you've started pumping gas. You should always ground yourself to discharge any built up static electricity when you exit the vehicle at the gas station.

I know some will disagree, and that's okay.

[n2916s]

I don’t shut the tanks off when I fuel. With my fuel filler door next to the diesel pump, my refrigerator vent is 22’ away. It is also several feet off the ground.

In all my years of towing I have shut the propane off a handful of times: Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, NC Ferries, Cape may/LLewes ferry, a tunnel in Baltimore whose name I can’t remember... I think that’s about it.

Within minutes someone will chime in that I am destined to die at any moment and , worse, I’ll probably take out a bus full of orphans in the explosion.

Then someone will offer the scenario that “in a rollover, your propane lines will be ripped open and the resulting explosion with flatten an entire county”. Except, of course that if the valves on your propane tank detect zero back pressure, they close.

All in all, most of us tow with the reefer on propane. To the best of my knowledge there are not blackened craters full of molten aluminum scattered about the landscape...