Where is all the propane going??

[Redapple63]

I will also try turning the thermostat down lower and seeing if that makes a difference if the furnace is running and I'm not realizing it.

Stick around a bit, turn up the temp and see exactly what is happening. If the heat is not supposed to use gas, you can turn off the propane at the tank.

Bill

[sande005]

Spray all the fittings/hose connections with soapy water. Watch for bubbles. Found that all my hose connections were leaking just before I put it away for the winter. My spring project when I wake it from its nap....

[fmartinmn]

Spray all the fittings/hose connections with soapy water. Watch for bubbles. Found that all my hose connections were leaking just before I put it away for the winter. My spring project when I wake it from its nap....

@UnMayor, This a good thing to do. I too ran out of propane while the trailer was stored in the back yard. I had the heat set for 40-45 degrees and ran out quickly. Because I was not camping in it, I did not notice that the regulator was leaking at the selector switch. I had to order a new one. The soap and water check is something I will now do periodically. Best wishes, Frank.

[Steven@147]

We too had a leak in our propane system, turned out to be the main regulator with the selector switch (on the left side for us). I learned a lot about our propane system trouble shooting, like GD removed the check valve on the main regulator for the left tank because they placed the regulator to close to the side wall and couldn't connect the hose.
Since I replaced the regulator we have not had another problem. I bought a battery operated propane sniffer with a flexible wand which I use quarterly and or biannually to "sniff" for propane leaks. I run it around the both regulators, tank connection pig tales, tank valves, and the multi-connection manifold located on our left side mid-ship on the frame rail where the lines run off to the furnace, water heater and fridge, stove. It has an audible alarm that screams loudly when it "smells" a propane leak. I store it with the batteries removed.

With our main thermostat set to heat at 63*, in cold weather down to mid 20s, we can last @ 4 days on a single 30# tank. We also use supplemental electrical heaters. We have a remote temp probe down in the storage compartment near the nautilus panel so we can monitor the temp down there that communicates to a monitor inside the coach via WiFi.

[Grandesigner]

Not sure if anyone mentioned to close the valves when you are not using the trailer...

[UnMayor]

Thanks for all the input fellas.
I plan on soaping all the connections I can find this weekend to see if there's a leak. The more I'm reading though I think I'm leaving the heat up too high since I've learned the underbelly is heated by the furnace. I'm still unclear on what thermostat underbelly temps are controlled by though.
If I turn off the tanks, would the electric heat suffice for preventing any lines freezing? I wasn't planning on winterizing it since it stays plugged up and we do use it periodically, but I do not know how much circulation the underbelly receives from interior heat.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[attaboy]

We too had a leak in our propane system, turned out to be the main regulator with the selector switch (on the left side for us). I learned a lot about our propane system trouble shooting, like GD removed the check valve on the main regulator for the left tank because they placed the regulator to close to the side wall and couldn't connect the hose.
Since I replaced the regulator we have not had another problem. I bought a battery operated propane sniffer with a flexible wand which I use quarterly and or biannually to "sniff" for propane leaks. I run it around the both regulators, tank connection pig tales, tank valves, and the multi-connection manifold located on our left side mid-ship on the frame rail where the lines run off to the furnace, water heater and fridge, stove. It has an audible alarm that screams loudly when it "smells" a propane leak. I store it with the batteries removed.

With our main thermostat set to heat at 63*, in cold weather down to mid 20s, we can last @ 4 days on a single 30# tank. We also use supplemental electrical heaters. We have a remote temp probe down in the storage compartment near the nautilus panel so we can monitor the temp down there that communicates to a monitor inside the coach via WiFi.

Hi Steven:
After reading your post I checked out Propane sniffers.
They seem to cost from $22.00 to $150.00.
If possible would you post the model you purchased?
Thanks:
Bob A.

[Always Learning]

Thanks for all the input fellas.
I plan on soaping all the connections I can find this weekend to see if there's a leak. The more I'm reading though I think I'm leaving the heat up too high since I've learned the underbelly is heated by the furnace. I'm still unclear on what thermostat underbelly temps are controlled by though.
If I turn off the tanks, would the electric heat suffice for preventing any lines freezing? I wasn't planning on winterizing it since it stays plugged up and we do use it periodically, but I do not know how much circulation the underbelly receives from interior heat.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Underbelly is only heated when the propane furnace runs. The furnace is controlled by the thermostat in the living area. Electric heat in the living area will not keep the underbelly or basement compartment warm so water lines may freeze if it gets cold enough. If the trailer is in freezing conditions then winterize it.

[Steven@147]

Hi Steven:
After reading your post I checked out Propane sniffers.
They seem to cost from $22.00 to $150.00.
If possible would you post the model you purchased?
Thanks:
Bob A.

I bought this one, Don't remember what it cost, got it from Amazon 2 years ago, I also use it on our Propane Fire Bowl to check for leaks. Just checked, currently 32.99


Also our temperature monitor in case anyone is wondering, is a La Crosse Technologies WS 9160U-IT, our kids got us for Christmas a couple years ago. You can connect multiple probes/temp sensors to the monitor. The probes are TX29U-IT, 915 MHz.

[Nrbsrsr]

Is it a Winn Tek regulator? I went through 40 lbs of propane in 3 days while on an electric site and only using propane for my grill. Turned out to be a faulty regulator which I replaced myself. The Winn Tek regulator is currently a recall item at Grand Design.