Do these 8 things for your RV propane system

Nathan Explains how to maintain your RV system and keep it running well for you.
Timeline:
0:05 Intro
0:22 Bleeding your propane system
1:13 Resetting your propane flow
2:18 Checking appliance propane panels
3:00 Dealership propane leak service
3:23 Auto Change Regulators
4:33 Checking your propane levels
5:48 Propane gas detectors
6:42 Understanding cold temperature issues.
7:36 Outro
Never ridden in an RV? At Access RV Rentals, you can rent a motorhome OR travel trailer and hit the road!
For those concerned about Covid-19:
We understand that many of you may have had travel plans that are disrupted by cruises canceling, resorts closing, and airlines limiting flights.
We have seen an increase in rental reservations as our customers look for secure ways to enjoy their vacations with friends and families while observing appropriate health advisements.
We want to assure you that our rentals have always met an incredibly high standard of cleanliness and sanitation. All our units pass through a 216-point inspection, which includes a dutiful housekeeping checklist. Because of this checklist, we are confident that when you receive your RV, it will be as sanitary as possible.
Access RV's normal cleaning process includes disinfecting before and after every RV trip we conduct. We are happy to provide more information on our disinfection procedures on request. You may email us at [e-mail] with more questions.

[@DonDon-zo4rj]

New RV owner here, thank you for this video and all the folks in the comments section as well.

[@navinr.johnson8395]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! We changed the propane tank and turned it on too fast. We followed your instructions, turned it slowly and it Worked!! We have heat 🎉

[@ifination]

I thought I had a fairly good understanding of the propane system, but almost all of these tips were new and very helpful to me. Thanks!

[@martym1052]

Finally someone who knows his stuff and knows how to teach others! TY

[@rhondakendrick2563]

ti is all in teaching some and how they understand it. THANK U

[@Mollymsrn]

I love the propane sensors on the bottom- my tip is make sure you have that electric connection gel too to keep a connection. 👌🏼

[@zrodzach8142]

Super Helpful with the pig tail tip and the stove burner tip. Helped me just now in a pinch at minus 20 Celsius. Was running around like an idiot this morning trying to get my furnace to come back on This video helped instantly I turned the stove on and it took a few tries and then as soon as the stove lit the furnace come on !!! Thanks for this video.

[@ANDY_FUGAZI]

We are full-time R.V'rs. for last two yrs. Tried your second tip and it worked. Thank you from Hatzic B.C 🇨🇦 and minus ➖️ 10 weather

[@mqsism]

Wow after months of gas not working in my camper, the excess flow valve reset really seems, did work!

[@athenaellis1802]

That valve in the pigtail was exactly the issue I had. Purged, opened slow as hell and good to go. Many thanks!

[@falcorthewonderdog2758]

Tip number one turn off your propane anytime you are traveling. In a class A or C ir B+ shut down the electricity to the coach while driving. Your food in the fridge will stay cold 4 to 6 hours if you dont keep opening the door. Maybe more if your freezer is full. Propane refrigerators are blamed as the cause of many on road rv fires. Turn it off while driving.

[@ReginaldDewitte]

Thanks so much, I started panicking as I was going on a trip and couldn’t get any of my LP appliance starting, your first tip (bleeding) saved my day.

[@892949]

Super Good Info! Thank You!

[@homeontheroad018]

Your first suggestion worked like a charm. I turned on my front burner on high it lit up nice and blue then went to my fridge and turned on the gas. Very pleased it worked

[@ribcount1]

Tip 2 fixed my issue with starting the stove. Thanks

[@tableroll1]

Good luck in finding an RV place who has competent people and who don't rip you off.

[@drewsbenmad]

One more tip, There's a float valve inside the tank that can stick closed. My propane guy uses a rubber mallet to beat on the side of the tank to make sure it's free.

[@richberman8260]

Thank you. The excess flow valve in the pig tail was my issue.

[@Anna-rv3fv]

This was so helpful!! The tip about releasing the excess flow valve solved my problem. Thank you so much!

[@Elisa-pu5py]

Thank you for posting this video Extremely helpful 😊😊😊

[@sleightlytalented9998]

Actually a very useful video. Short and to the point. Thank you.

[@AccessRVSaltLakeCity]

You're so very welcome!

[@Type1Detour]

Great tips. Propane can be intimidating, this is a great way to feel more comfortable with it.

[@carolduvall111]

Great video! I had to pause and rewind to take notes for future reference. Thanks

[@mikebarrington4138]

Great video many Thanks - one small possible improvement- when taping a male gas pipe thread- start 1-2 threads back from the tip. Makes it less likelyhood a piece of tape will tear off and enter the system where it could cause jams/malfunctions- (this is mandatory on life support gas sytems but can save problems elsewhere)

[@BLESSED-f9b]

I love that technology tip❤

[@MrPootzen]

Taking out my RV that has been in storage for over two years due to Covid. Thank you for the tips!

[@g.m.c.6606]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! TIP #2 JUST SAVED ME A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!!! 🌻

[@danstump3686]

THANK YOU! Finally some info we can use. Like and sub'd.

[@hardtruth2039]

I have been using the mopeka sensors and their wifi bridge for 6 months. I can monitor my tanks from anywhere. They work great.

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

I usually store them within the black tank given that's where my ancestors come from

[@consciouscoffeeplussugar2658]

Thank you for the name! He didn't say, and I couldn't find the video he mentioned.

[@masque1313]

this is how to do a great video. straight to the point and excellent info provided. thanks for posting.

[@vroddestroyer300]

Great video. I carry a bottle of water with a little bit of soap in it. I use this for initial leak detection if required in an emergent situation.

[@debbieparker1108]

I tried the excess flow valve hint/trick. It worked!! Thanks so much!

[@jeromeherron4195]

Tip #2 the excess flow valve may have saved my life. I lived in my unit a lot working construction. Come in late at night, it’s cold and check the tank and have a half of a tank. That night 2-3 AM I wake up freezing no heat. Check the tank and have gas. The next day after a lot of troubleshooting I found my gas regulator diaphragm had ruptured. On 5th wheel my bed I above the tanks. The excess flow valve stopped the gas flow. Thank God for this valve.

[@kellypelchat8700]

That was a good video. Thanks

[@baileysreen1]

Good tips. I'll keep them in mind when I buy me a camper. Thanks

[@varsityvocab5048]

Method #4 to assess how much propane is still in the tank. Hand weigh the tank with a digital fish scale. An empty 30lb tank weighs 25lbs empty and 55lbs full. A full tank is just over 7 gallons of propane, at 4.2lbs per gallon. The combined weight of the tank plus remaining propane , less the 25lb empty tank weight, will give you a very accurate figure for how much propane is left, in gallons. Added benefit. If you count the number of days since you last filled that tank, you then know your average daily gallon rate of consumption, which we use as a guideline as to how often to check our propane levels.

[@rhondakendrick2563]

THANK U

[@TheMrAHead]

Mostly correct information. There is a tare weight stamped on the tank to tell you exactly how much the tank weighs. there can be a few pounds of difference between them which would equate to almost a gallon of propane. I go over my tare weight with a permanent marker so it's easy to read on all of my tanks.

[@catdaddy3728]

Right on! Little more labor, but, no more than what you do to pull tank off to get it filled. We use a 100lb spring style gauge like a fish scale. 100lb due to having 30lb tanks, although going over on a 50lb scale would only be to make sure tank was filled properly... The 50lb scale works for 20lb bottles, or when your 30lb bottle has used up some gas... Important thing as mentioned is that the tare or empty weight of the tank is stamped on the top ring on tank. That plus knowing propane is 4.2 lbs per gallon and you will know just about exactly how much gas is left to burn.

[@froglobster]

Thanks for that info!

[@wg7644]

@@TheMrAHead I write on my tanks their dry weight in big numbers - it also gives the propane attendants an idea that I CHECK their accuracy.

[@AnetaHall]

Tip #2 was it, saved us from eating microwave food for a week. THANK YOU ! BTW our gas selector handle works backwards from what you showed, the long part that sticks out points away from the tank being used.

[@richardgraham8568]

It should point in the direction of the tank with fuel. It is possible yours was assembled backwards. You could unscrew the screw and reverse it or just. Know and live with it.

[@Timothy-ns7go]

You're the man!!!! I wish more people were doing these videos

[@PedroPatricioFreitas]

Very helpful. It would be nice if you could also talk about iced pressure regulator. It seems an common issue that prevents the furnace to fire up.

[@ShieldHaven24]

Great video! Any chance you could show what the process looks like to “clean the burner tubes with a pipe cleaner” that you described ?

[@gregorygagnon4641]

Great video. Explained in a great way. Definitely subscribed.

[@cashmiller2999]

This video deserves more views!

[@sarahkammer6972]

Thank you for such clear and helpful information!

[@jeromesmith1243]

Super video great 👍 job

[@garyconway439]

Great video thanks - a quick clarification the surface area of liquid propane in an RV vertical tank reduces only in the very bottom-curved portion of the tank. So a full tank is no better than a 25% full tank in terms of vaporization.

[@wadeschick1020]

great information well said well presented thank you very muchI look forward to more

[@CT9905.]

Well…That was very informative and now I know and knowing is half the battle.

[@projet2907]

Tip #6 I throw hot water on my propane tank.. By touching with one hand, where the metal of my tank is hot is where there is no propane, As I slide my hand down, where hit cold, it’s the amount of propane left minus about a 1/2 inch. Depending on the outdoor temperature the tank won't always show a frost to indicate the leftover level.

[@tombaker5114]

Buy a gauge

[@projet2907]

@@tombaker5114 Lots of them do not work. indicate either full or empty but nothing in between. hot water is very precise and cleans my tanks at the same time.

[@zippityzoop2576]

Yep this is a great trick

[@user-qc6yq1jh4j]

When you switch the knob on the regular, does the full tank feedback into the empty one if you don't shutoff the empty tank?

[@Maximonious]

"Sends propane to your phone"!! 😁😁 Anyhoo... Great video! Thank you!!

[@melje6740]

Awesome video! Supposed to get down to 37° tonight in Texas. Took your first suggestion and it fixed me right up! 🥳🥳

[@AustinMccathern-i6u]

Appreciate the advice 😊

[@Weatherly-p2]

Well said.

[@hartjako]

Great info 🙏

[@JeffreyAMuth]

Great video. I'm not getting propane to the outside stove. All other appliances work fine. New regulator and tanks are full. The ball valve is in open position.

[@Tsch6373]

Open the valve (at the connection) slowly, see if that helps. Do that with the stove's valve off.

[@kevincapeless8900]

Great presentation. Very useful and easy to understand. Thanks.

[@frankcurulli1244]

Excellent presentation and tips! Solid advice from the experts. Thanks.

[@PhotoStrider]

Good tips !! Thanks very much 👍👏😃🇨🇦

[@Chris-ux3cw]

How would You keep the bottles Full when its Cold. Az 6000'elev here and HARSH Freezing winters.

[@tony55752]

I measure propane tanks with a luggage scale. Empty and full weight are stamped on the collar. Subtract your measured weight from empty weight and Viola! No more guessing.

[@edwardgaddis1174]

what is the devise called to monitor your tanks

[@cowboygeologist7772]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@InHisGrace33]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!! 😁

[@randijoslenwood4209]

Thank you. Great info

[@MagentaRV]

The 4th way to measure the level in your tank is to weight it on a scale and subtract the empty weight. Propane weighs 4.24 lbs per gallon, so you can quickly figure out how much you have left. A full tank is temperature adjusted to 60°F and only filled to about 80%. Most propane grill tanks come with two numbers stamped on the handle - the water capacity (“WC”) and “Tare Weight” (TW - the weight of the tank when it’s empty). Most grilling tanks weigh about 17 pounds when empty and hold about 20 pounds of gas; to measure how many pounds of propane are left in your tank, simply weigh it on a scale and subtract the TW number. For example, if a tank weighing 27 pounds has a TW of 17 pounds, there’s about 10 pounds of gas left - a little more than half a tank.

[@wg7644]

my 30lb tanks weigh approx 53lbs each when full

[@MagentaRV]

@@wg7644 30# tank TW (Tare Weight) is about 23#. So. 30# propane + 23# steel tank = 53#. Math checks out. :)

[@jonathantan2469]

The empty weight (tare weight) is etched on the tank itself. I prefer using weight to measure since it's more accurate for liquified gases.

[@raypedro7325]

Since I will be living in my r.v., can I put a bigger propane tank on it ?

[@Pack.Leader]

Can propane get too old to use? If an RV sits for several years with a lot of propane in its tanks, is it still okay to use or will it do damage to your appliances and furnace? Thank you.

[@DwightAHuntSr]

What about using propane tank warming blanket?

[@omstout]

What about ALL the Nitrogen in the lines? How do I purge it and Carbon Dioxide, Argon, and trace gases?

[@davidmussack4529]

Good video. I needed the info on the automatic changeover valve just yesterday. Thanks a bunch.

[@keithwittman4741]

On a auto change over, I like to turn the 2nd bottle off. If something is off,I know the first bottle is out. And we need to open the second, refill the first. The electronic notification system will be nice,when it is more affordable.

[@jeromeherron4195]

I also learned to turn off the second tank. My tanks are located one on each side of the RV, as the Sun can heat one side of the RV or the other the tank pressure increases and the auto valve will switch. Later You will be checking your switch valve and think my primary tank has gas, and night or two later your out of gas in both tanks.

[@john0119]

Great Info. TY 👍

[@cyrilnorrie8450]

Thank you for this info, it is very helpful. You explained everything well.

[@mikelennox3157]

Awesome video - thanks.

[@robertschulke1596]

The primary reason propane pressure drops in cold weather is simple physics: As the temperature of liquid propane drops, its vapor pressure drops as well. A full tank gives more volume of propane to effervesce. If you have dual tanks with manual valves, you can open both valves in very cold weather.

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

That's why I store my tank inside my RV I brought the hose in through the wall and keep the tanks inside so they don't get cold

[@robertschulke1596]

@@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076 If your tanks are inside, they must be in an airtight sealed compartment with a large exterior vent/drain. Watch a few videos of boat propane explosions.

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

@@robertschulke1596 thanks for the advice but I live dangerously

[@casedoumasr656]

@@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076 Hello puting your tank in side I was all ways told was not not a good idea. BOOM 💣??

[@themikedexperience5018]

I have dual tanks. I only have problems in cold weather. The stove and furnace will light, then immediately go out, like the tanks are empty, but they are full. Any advice for me? Thank you

[@androsmedina7200]

Take my rv to anual basis check ? What if I live in it ?

[@terryt2910]

Good tips. Another way to check the level of propane in a tank is by weight. You need to know the tank's empty or full weight full tank, first.

[@victorpohlson552]

Thank You great information. I ordered replacement LP pig tails, is there a difference between the dark green and black female ends for hooking up to the LP tank?

[@JHA6100]

Great video.

[@Spenttheirinheritance]

thanks great info.

[@dorisdittrich9947]

Thank You

[@gregfawcett5152]

My solenoid switch does not turn on...I checked the fuse and the fuse is good...any ideas?

[@Christophersoutdooradventures]

What causes a low flow to a water heater burner? Everything else runs great.

[@paulmoffat9306]

One fall, I lit my hot water heater for a weekend use - when the main burner lit, a rather nasty smell came out. Seems a lot of ladybugs had decider to hibernate in the flame tube!

[@livingin_boiseidaho]

Tip 2 solved my problem!

[@OlivierMyre88]

Clarification on propane in cold weather: Propane's vapor pressure is related to temperature (outside temp but also tank temp)! So if temp goes down, pressure goes down too. Second thing is when letting any liquid vaporize or "evaporate" to a gas - propane included - this liquid need energy to go to gas. Where does it take this energy? In its own heat. Thats why you see frost on propane tanks: As it vaporizes, it makes itself colder and colder. Thus reducing vapor pressure a greater amount. At some point it makes barely any gas from the liquid. Try barbecueing in -20°C you'll find out quick :D

[@Maggie-Gardener-Maker]

Very helpful video! I looked at your video list to find the video you said you were going to make about that digital propane meter that pairs with phone but you don't have it posted yet. Have you stopped making videos? I subscribed like you suggested and hope you will do the video on that device.

[@debimitchell5991]

Replaced both lines to tank and did this several times when no gas was coming into RV..still not working..any other suggestions??

[@froglobster]

Great info thank you!

[@MrDadAce]

What is the name of the gauge that goes on bottom of propane tank with phone app.

[@rogergroover4971]

Great educational video about propane, thanks!

[@MysticOwl15Homestead]

This is a great video!

[@BladeRunner-td8be]

Good stuff.

[@MrDadAce]

What is the name of that gauge?

[@Hundert1]

👋🏼That's impossible to send propane to our cell phone. Please clarify. Otherwise good video, thanks, happy and safe RVing 🙏

[@robertpearson8798]

That’s too bad, I was really interested in getting a gas powered iPhone.😉

[@cherylnicole9578]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@1Martyn1]

Do Propane heater tops need to have a regulator? Of so which regulator is recommended? Also how comon is a propane tank to exode with a heater top in an rv? I'm o ly able to use a standard 120 volt outlet so getting sufficient heat from the original heater isn't an option amd a 1300 watt space heater isn't always sufficient when it's under 50 degrees. I have recently bought one and it seems to work wonders as it gets super hot but I'm concerned that that the space it sits in might get too hot as it seemed to heat up a Kingsford fillable lighter hanging on the wall and behind the heater and with in a few short mins.

[@jeepcj3b436]

That was very helpful. I was actually looking for some information about the color coding of the propane pigtails and how to make sure I get the right ones (black, light green, dark green, red etc.). I understand the black is low btu and increases with red being highest flow but can you get too much flow for the systems you are running?

[@rogerstruthers3799]

And just how does that little black box underneath the propane bottle "send a small amount of propane back to your phone" ?

[@williammyers269]

Right?? Either he mid-spoke or does not understand the technology. Does he think the device teleports the gas to the phone?

[@MrDadAce]

What is the name of the product you just showed that goes on the bottom of propane tank?