More newbie questions - Page 2

amanda_h · 07-08-2007, 06:46 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RickO:
With only two months under our belts, I certainly don't have a lot to add to the great replies you've already received, but one small detail may have been overlooked.

I believe you asked if it was acceptable to leave all of your hook ups lying on the ground while hooked up. In our short time on the road, we've found that several parks have required that we have a device which holds our sewer hose securely in a downward slope to the hook up if we wish to leave the sewer hose connected. We haven't yet purchased one so have hauled the hose out only to dump but be prepared if you should come across this requirement.

Travel Safely </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Rick. Do you mean one of these? We do have this in place. Is this good enough?

Thanks!

--amanda

RickO · 07-08-2007, 06:59 PM

Perfect!

amanda_h · 07-08-2007, 07:25 PM

Oh good, thanks!

It folds up to a real compact size and it's all in one piece so it's easy to store. Made by Camco, I think. It's called Sidewinder, or something like that. We got the 10' one but should have purchased a longer one. I want to say it was about $25-30?

Carnles · 07-08-2007, 09:21 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom N:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Carnles:
As for the propane, since it is a new tank you will want to make sure you get it as completely empty as possible so when you get it refilled the first time it can be purged real well. This will get all the air out of the cylinder. If you try to get it filled when you still have propane in the tank the air will stay in there and cause corrosion and other problems. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm may not understand what you're trying to say but I have never heard of completely emptying the tank before filling. When our MH was delivered from the factory the propane tank was filled.

-Tom </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I tried to get my propane tank filled when it was down to 1/3 and the attendant asked me if it was a new tank...I replied that it was and this was the first fill. He said he would fill it if I wanted him to but even with the vent open while filling there was no guarantee that all the air would be purged. I had him fill it anyway, but he said when it gets close to empty the next time to open the vent and make sure it is emptied before refilling to ensure that all the air is removed when refilled.

My tank was filled from the factory too, but this encounter happened at the first re-fill. I may be crazy, but that's what the guy told me. This was at a Flying J where I assume they routinely fill tanks on motorhomes.

Carnles · 07-08-2007, 09:25 PM

amanda, the Xtend a Tee does not allow you to fill your onboard tank. It just provides a fitting so you can run your propane system off an external tank. When you use the external tank you close the valve from your onboard tank. There is also an Xtend a Tee Deluxe fitting the also allows you to run a portable BBQ off of your onboard propane tank. If you look on RVUpgrades.com and look in the propane systems section you will see them. If I remember correctly they run about $60 or so.

amanda_h · 07-08-2007, 10:57 PM

Gotcha, Carnles. Thanks so much!

Have you ever heard of being able to fill the motorhome tank from an underground home tank?

And when we are ready to do the first re-fill on the motorhome's propane tank, we want to open the "vent" in order to purge the excess air from the tank? Where's the vent? ...and how do we do that? It's only on the first fill we have to worry about it?

We're still a bit confused about this procedure because even at the house, it's our first experience with propane tanks.

Thanks for any clarification you can shed on this.

--amanda

CHIPPYSGT · 07-09-2007, 01:46 AM

Amanda,

You shouldn't have to do anything to fill your propane tank other than turn off all open flames, i.e, water heater, furnace, propane fridge and drive the rig to the place where the hose will reach. The attendant will do the rest.

The relief valve is a small brass screw in valve near the shutoff valve. The attendant will take care of that too.

He will start the flow of propane, then open the relief valve. You'll see and hear the vapors coming out. When it starts coming out liquid, it's full regardless of what your guage says. They'll only fill to about 80% to allow for expansion.

I wouldn't attempt to fill from home. In fact, I don't even know if you can buy the filler nozzle. I'm sure it would be very expensive since it's solid brass.

ichn2go · 07-09-2007, 03:24 AM

Amanda,,,If you are at home and hooked to a water source and you know the water, then go for it.

I was referring to while you are at campgrounds. In reality if you have sanitized your water system, filled from your delicious water source, then this water may be better than the campground water...

You know what drinking different water does to you..Use your own judgement and carry Imodium with you.

Good Miles

Dsouthw524 · 07-09-2007, 04:11 AM

Some people are paranoid about their drinking water and only use bottled water. If the water at the campground is from a city source it is most likely safe.

The refill of the propane tank can be done anytime at a dealer or, if available, on site as the personnel dispensing the LP will handle the venting as mentioned previously for you.

The attendant that worried about air in the tank mentioned must have misunderstood. When one buys a LP tank (20# etc.) they are empty and must have the air puged at the first fill. This is not the case on Motorhomes.

Tom N · 07-09-2007, 04:19 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by amanda_h:
Gotcha, Carnles. Thanks so much!

Have you ever heard of being able to fill the motorhome tank from an underground home tank?

--amanda </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

To fill a propane tank you need a pump. Something that may be dangerous or even illegal for a layman.

-Tom

Tom N · 07-09-2007, 04:26 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Carnles:
I tried to get my propane tank filled when it was down to 1/3 and the attendant asked me if it was a new tank...I replied that it was and this was the first fill. He said he would fill it if I wanted him to but even with the vent open while filling there was no guarantee that all the air would be purged. I had him fill it anyway, but he said when it gets close to empty the next time to open the vent and make sure it is emptied before refilling to ensure that all the air is removed when refilled.

My tank was filled from the factory too, but this encounter happened at the first re-fill. I may be crazy, but that's what the guy told me. This was at a Flying J where I assume they routinely fill tanks on motorhomes. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would think running the tank empty and then opening the vent would introduce air, not bleed air out. When they fill a tank they open the vent. When liquid propane appears at the vent the tank is full.

Amanda, you do not have to be concerned about any of this. Just drive to a propane supplier and they will fill your tank with no assistance from you. You should make certain all appliances with open flames are tuned off and that no one is in the coach, including pets.

-Tom

amanda_h · 07-09-2007, 09:41 AM

CHIPPYSGT-- Thanks for the great explanation on the procedure! ...and the warning of not doing it from home.

Ichn2go-- Gotcha! Thanks, I understand. Good advice on the Imodium! *laughs*

DSouthw524-- So we shouldn't have to even worry about purging air or anything like that then? We should just make sure that we try to get the propane level as low as possible when we do the first re-fill? ...or is that even necessary?

Tom-- We like that answer! Yes, we don't want to be involved at all if possible, that's for sure.

Yeah, we didn't think it was wise to be able to fill our motorhome from our undergound tank but just sort of wondered if people do that or if it's even possible. Thanks for the back-up answer on that.

(oh, I'm going to ask you another question on the other thread about the response on the slides and the levelers question. Thanx again, Tom)

amanda_h · 07-09-2007, 06:44 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CHIPPYSGT:
Amanda,

You shouldn't have to do anything to fill your propane tank other than turn off all open flames, i.e, water heater, furnace, propane fridge <span class="ev_code_RED">and drive the rig to the place where the hose will reach</span>. The attendant will do the rest.

The relief valve is a small brass screw in valve near the shutoff valve. The attendant will take care of that too.

He will start the flow of propane, then open the relief valve. You'll see and hear the vapors coming out. When it starts coming out liquid, it's full regardless of what your guage says. They'll only fill to about 80% to allow for expansion.

I wouldn't attempt to fill from home. In fact, I don't even know if you can buy the filler nozzle. I'm sure it would be very expensive since it's solid brass. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Doug, if you're still around, do we need to carry this hose or does the place that we buy the propane from have the hose?

When you said to drive to a place where the hose will reach, DH says he's going now going to have to go find a hose somewhere. Do we need a hose?

Thanks!

SCVJeff · 07-09-2007, 09:28 PM

The hose stays with the filling station. All you do is show up and get close enough to fill. Don't freak about "too close" as I have yet to see any propane filling station not reach. They usually have enough hose to get around the wheels and on either side of any motorhome or trailer.

Also, I haven't read the original comment on air again, but just want to say that the 1st tank when I filled in Seattle had enough air that it caused the stove, fridge, and WH to flare up with yellow flame. The 2nd fill is much better.

amanda_h · 07-10-2007, 08:32 AM

Ok, thanks for the information about the hose, Jeff. That's good, one more thing we don't have to worry about buying.

So you used enough propane while you were in the Seattle area picking up the coach to actually have it filled again between the time of leaving the dealer and leaving for home?

SCVJeff · 07-10-2007, 06:50 PM

I wasn't full when we got there. They paid for the fill. But it was obviously the 1st load since the appliances were being cranky.