Propane level doesn't work

[bigfelipe]

I have a 2006 Roadtrek SS Agile and my propane level doesn't seem to be working. Any insight?

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by bigfelipe

I have a 2006 Roadtrek SS Agile and my propane level doesn't seem to be working. Any insight?

Which level?

The one on the tank?
or the one at the panel?


It is expensive to replace the float sensor.

Most don't do well even in the best of times

[bigfelipe]

Originally Posted by BBQ

Which level?

The one on the tank?
or the one at the panel?


It is expensive to replace the float sensor.

Most don't do well even in the best of times

Panel. Reads full. Gen died like it's empty.

[eric1514]

Originally Posted by bigfelipe

Panel. Reads full. Gen died like it's empty.

Crawl under the van and read the gauge on the tank. See if it also reads empty.

[bigfelipe]

Originally Posted by eric1514

Crawl under the van and read the gauge on the tank. See if it also reads empty.

I'll check it out in the morning. Never been under the tank before. Didn't know there was another gauge.

[Knit]

You don’t have to crawl under. It’s at the side of the van.

[Knit]

The lpg tank is to the right of the driver door. There is a guage there.

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by bigfelipe

Panel. Reads full. Gen died like it's empty.

Most likely a loose wire (or a crossed wire, or a short wire).

[bigfelipe]

Originally Posted by Knit

The lpg tank is to the right of the driver door. There is a guage there.

Originally Posted by eric1514

Crawl under the van and read the gauge on the tank. See if it also reads empty.

Originally Posted by BBQ

Most likely a loose wire (or a crossed wire, or a short wire).

OK. So I crawled under the van this morning. There is no gauge anywhere I can see. Not on the side of the van, not inside the panel with the filler connection, not on the tank. I tapped on the tank. It sounds empty. I looked over the 2-wire connection I assume is the level sending unit. It looks to be ok. Nothing frayed or shorted looking.

Did I miss something?

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by bigfelipe

OK. So I crawled under the van this morning. . . .

I looked over the 2-wire connection I assume is the level sending unit. It looks to be ok. Nothing frayed or shorted looking.

Did I miss something?

Check the wire connection at the panel.



Do you have a multi-meter?
You can check for continuity and signal.

[BBQ]

.

You should have a gauge like this

[bigfelipe]

Originally Posted by BBQ

.

You should have a gauge like this

nope. not on my rig...


EDIT: AH HA! You are correct sir! Mine is a bit smaller around. The gauge plastic was worn to the point I couldn't tell it was transparent. I had to look at it twice to tell it was a gauge. I cleaned it up with some rubbing compound and I can read it now! Thanks.

[bigfelipe]

Have a bigger issue now. Gauges will have to wait. I got it refilled. Now the generator won't stay running... Fires right up, idles for a bit then cuts out. I checked the oil and it was low so I topped it off thinking it could be a low-oil shut off. Still the same. It will run for a bit but won't rev up and handle a load. I'm supposed to be on the road to FL in an hour... This is really crappy timing...

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by bigfelipe

Have a bigger issue now. Gauges will have to wait. I got it refilled. Now the generator won't stay running... Fires right up, idles for a bit then cuts out. I checked the oil and it was low so I topped it off thinking it could be a low-oil shut off. Still the same. It will run for a bit but won't rev up and handle a load. I'm supposed to be on the road to FL in an hour... This is really crappy timing...

When was the last time you use the gen?

How often do you use the gen?

[BBQ]

.

Search for Red Rover Onan trouble shooting guide.

[bigfelipe]

Originally Posted by BBQ

When was the last time you use the gen?

How often do you use the gen?

Last night when I ran out of propane. I use the gen regularly to exercise it. I run it under load for at least a half hour every week. It's not had any issues until now. Of course this was my 1st time running it out of propane and refilling the propane... Now that I have a gauge to go by I'll not let that happen again.

[bigfelipe]

Originally Posted by BBQ

.

Search for Red Rover Onan trouble shooting guide.

I read it. It lists a bunch about gas but doesn't mention propane.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by bigfelipe

Last night when I ran out of propane. I use the gen regularly to exercise it. I run it under load for at least a half hour every week. It's not had any issues until now. Of course this was my 1st time running it out of propane and refilling the propane... Now that I have a gauge to go by I'll not let that happen again.

If you ran out of propane that might be what caused problems. Try using some other LP appliances to get the flow to all parts of the system.


- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream

[bigfelipe]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

If you ran out of propane that might be what caused problems. Try using some other LP appliances to get the flow to all parts of the system.


- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream

All other appliances are working and the gen runs but not well. I'm wondering if running out of LP messed something up?

[BBQ]

.

The problem is a simple one.

Your propane regulator has a built-in anti-leak shut-off valve.
If the regulator detects an abnormally high-rate of gas flow, it will shut down the regulator.

This often happens when people run out of propane and drained the hose. When you refilled the propane and turn on the valve, the gas will rush to pressurize the hose, and the detector would mistaken it as a leak and shut down the valve.

What you have to do is to shut off the valve at the tank. Wait a bit for the regulator to reset itself. Then turn on the valve at the tank S-L-O-W-L-Y, so that the gas does not rush out to trigger the anti-leak shut-off valve.

Good luck.