Extend-a-Stay clogging tanks?

[SlowBro]

Bought an Extend-a-Stay knock-off because we're full-time parked. Turned off the valve for the onboard tank. Been here a year, everything is going good, then all of the sudden one of the 20lb tanks won't work. Put it on our other RV, it's fine. Figured it was a bad tank, drew an X on it to remember to exchange it when it's empty.

Then it happened again.

And again and again.

Six times.

Not every time though. Currently have on a tank that's working just fine. In between the six times it happened, several tanks could be counted on to work just fine. (We have 13 total.)

What might I look at to troubleshoot this? Is it possible to stick a wire in the tanks to unstick them or is that a bad idea? Again, they work on the second RV.

[SlowBro]

Oops, I definitely should have mentioned the big RV has emergency leak-stopping valves... sorry, didn't occur to me when posting. That might? have been the cause all along, together with fast opening the valves. Very relevant to this problem and is the most likely cause.

I had to change the hose anyway, it was leaking. I've not yet had a chance to test the old "failed" tanks but will try to remember to update this thread when I do.

Going to crack open the valves slowwwwwwwwwwwly from now on.

[C_Schomer]

I’ve had so much trouble with those flow limiters, in the hose connectors, and I couldn’t figure out any rhyme or reason why they would often slam shut. It didn’t matter how slowly I opened the tanks. I finally drilled out the spring and ball out of those connectors and replace them with swag lock check valves and I never have trouble with that **** anymore. The check valves keep gas from blowing out of the hose when they’re not connected to a tank and that’s my biggest concern. Craig.

[wa8yxm]

Two thoughts
One is addressed above.. Modern tanks have an "Excess flow" sensor that shuts off gas flow if it flows too fast.. OPEN the valve very slowly when you hear gas flow...... Stop. then when you no longer hear open farther till full open.

The other thing is the ACME valve has a "missing hose" shut off as well.. On this ifthe coupler does not depress the pin.... No flow You night need new hose

Modern "You need to be protected" stuff is .. Well.. Safer.. But can be a Pain in the operation.

I used several different tanks with my Extend-a-stay.. No tribble at all.

[SlowBro]

JimK-NY wrote:
It sounds like you are opening the tank valve too quickly. That can result in no flow if the emergency shutdown is activated by a high initial flow.

While I was topping off the tanks today, an old timer overheard my question and he said exactly the same thing. I’m gonna try the old “failed” tanks again with a slower open. Thanks.

[LMHS]

It might be the hose.

I once had replaced a short LP hose on my popup with one from a hardware store. It worked fine for several months. Then one day the tank stopped working. I assumed it was empty, although it felt full to me. So I switched over to my backup tank. I took the "empty" one to a refill station that close to the entrance of the campground we were in. Turned out they were a big distributor for the area. So when the guy filling tanks looked at mine and said it was full, he picked it up and took it back to the techs in their shop, with me in tow. They hooked up my tank to a test burner and it was fine. Then they asked me a lot of questions. Sent me back to my camper to bring back the hose. They ran a scope into the hose and showed me how the interior walls were breaking down and falling apart. The hose was clogged with bits of hose and goo. But it didn't leak. They built me two new hoses (yes, "built", I watched them do it) for less than I bought the bad one for and sent me on my way. I never knew an LP hose could degrade like that one did. Since then, I had one other hose get clogged with "goo" and junk. According the guy from the propane shop, the oil in "dirty" propane can cause hoses, fittings and burners to clog up.

[fj12ryder]

Perhaps the hose allows too sudden flow of propane, and the valve shuts it off. But IMO, if the tanks work on the other RV just fine, and not on this one, I'd be looking at the difference between the two RV's. The hose and adapter would be first on the list.

[JimK-NY]

It sounds like you are opening the tank valve too quickly. That can result in no flow if the emergency shutdown is activated by a high initial flow.

[SlowBro]

I can’t figure out how it could be the hose if it often works fine. Working today in fact. More often works than not. And no kinks in the hose at all.

[Community Alumni]

Just a guess but the hose would be suspect as those can come apart over time.

Trying to unplug something with flammable gas or liquid in them with a wire is not a good idea. IMO

JimR

[CA_Traveler]

It could be the hose, kinked, defective or the end doesn't open the tank valve assuming it's tight. Oil in the line is also possible.

[way2roll]

Bad regulator? I just had to replace the regulator on mine and it was only 2 years old. Tech told me it was recalled.