Propane shut off

[Bobby P.]

Tried to use my propane stove this weekend but could not get any gas to come through the system. All valves are open, etc. I checked the automatic shut off located inside the propane box. The small square black device with two wires coming to it was very hot to the touch. Is this a sign that this device is no good? Is it designed to run hot? Doesn’t seem likely to me, but I have no experience with us. Any thoughts?
Thanks much, Bobby

 

[knotflying]

If you leave the electric valve on it does get very hot. When I am not using the stove I always keep the electric valve off. Being hot means it is getting power. This is basically a solenoid and works like an electromagnet. As to why you are not getting fuel? Are you sure you have fuel in the tank? Also, there have been instances when the internal safety on the tank gets stuck and will not allow gas through. There is a possibility that the solenoid is stuck closed, but that is unlikely. To rule out a tank issue, can you take it out and hook it up to a barbecue grill and see if it works?

 

[Haifisch]

I had the same problem a few weeks ago in my 2014 R31S and believe that it was related to some sort of airlock in the line between the tank and the stove. I found a thread that listed the following steps to fix it. Assuming you have propane in the tank...
1. Make sure you hear a "click" when you open the valve with the on/off switch near the stove. If you don't, it could be a problem with the solenoid.
2) Disconnect the propane tank in the box.
3) Open the burner valves on the stove top.
4) turn on the switch near the stove and wait a few minutes.
5) Close the stove burner valves.
6) Reconnect the tank and give it another shot trying to light it.

Good luck!

 

[Bobby P.]

Thanks for the tips. I'll let you know how it goes this weekend.
Best,
Bobby

 

[ALICE J]

Make sure that you completely thread the hose connector on to the tank. I found that I had not fully screwed the green knob completely on to the tank; hence no propane to the stove. 😳

 

[tugnnaweigh]

If you can’t seem to get gas out of a bottle you know there’s liquid in likely it’s the above mentioned internal safety, they can be sensitive.

The trick is to start with the bottle off, all valves that control burners on the appliance off then open all valves between bottle and burner valves then open the bottle a little tiny tiny bit and let it fill the lines between bottle and appliance slowly so as to not activate the internal safety. If the safety still hits, close the bottle and go do something else for a bit but don’t smoke a cigarette.

Once the propane gas has stopped flowing open a valve at a burner and try lighting it, might take a few seconds as the air is purged from the line.

To shut down and make your next use easier, turn off the burner, turn off the bottle and close all electromagnetic valves between the two. This way your piping stays purged of air and you’re off at the bottle.

Some folks say systems with in line electromagnetic valving are designed to leave the bottle on but I have no sense of adventure when it comes to flammable gases being released in confined spaces you can’t leave.