No Pressure from Propane Tank

This is not really a mechanical or electrical issue (is there a better forum for this question?) My propane seemed to run out in the middle of cooking a meal this week. I got it refilled at the first opportunity, but they only added 1.5 gallons, so it obviously wasn't empty. Even then, with a full tank, it didn't work. When I got home, I hooked up a good 20 lb tank and that worked, so there seems to be something wrong with my 11 lb tank. Has anyone else experienced this? How could they not notice a problem when they fill it, yet I get no pressure when I hook it up to the teardrop? I have a gauge and it reads red with the 11 lb and green with the 20.

 

Yes, I have had that problem with a 20 pounder a couple of times.

Not sure, but with the new tanks, that is the ones with the triangular shaped shutoff valve handles, there is a "safety" device that will not allow the valve to open when it is not hooked up to something.

Lightly tap the tank on a hard surface and it may free up the safety valve.

Not too hard!, good luck.

 

Thanks for the tip, though that didn't help. I tapped it every which way I could, on the ground and with a rubber mallet. Still no joy. I should probably mention that this is a new tank, having picked up my CI in June. This is the first time that I've filled it.

 

The last time I had my tank refilled the station operator could not get the gas to flow into the tank, kind of the reverse of your problem. He turned the tank upside down, tapped it on the concrete a couple of times freeing the safety valve and gas flow started into the tank.
Leo

 

My 11 pound tank from Camp-Inn quit working after two fill ups too. I think there is a valve that needs replaced, but I haven't got around to it. Instead I stole the 20 lb tank from my barbeque.

 

Evan,

I may just follow your route and stick with a 20 lb tank. I have a spare for my grill anyway, so there's no extra cost. I should also be OK with the added tongue weight on my Outback. One other thing I found was that refilling a tank has become a huge pain, with most places just doing exchanges these days. I had to drive all over Front Royal, VA to find a place that does refills. I don't need that aggravation when I'm on the road.

Thanks

 

We carry some small propane cylinders that go on the portable BBQ and use the adaptor until will find a dealer who will fill the tank.

The 11 lb tank is cute and I would only swap it out if I was on a long trip.

 

We had our stock tank quit on our long haul trip and used a small bottle with the adapter for one night. The next day I hooked the reg. tank back up and it has worked ever since . I think I heard a click noise when I re attached the 11 Lb. tank.

 

The #11 pound tank actually lasts quite a bit longer than one would thing (unless you are running the heater). I need to get mine fixed because of course it is way cuter.

 

We also had a problem with our tank apparently running out of gas. The tank was not supplying gas so I removed the Gauge from the hose so I could screw the mini propane tank adapter directly onto the end.

We then went and got our 11lb tank refilled cant remember how much Gas we got but when we got back and reconnected everything no gas.

I knew the tank was full so I removed the gauge and just screwed the hose straight to the tank. No problem Gas flowing again.

When I got home before sending Cary an email I had a play with the Gauge trying to see if there were any moving parts/washers/rings etc and re-tried the gauge on the tank.

Everthing worked and still works today.

 

Yup, tried that, still no dice. Even hooked it up with a separate hose to my portable grill.

I think I'm going to use a 20 for now until either it or the one on my home grill needs to be filled, then I'll bring the little guy along and have them take a look. The place we go to is pretty good. They managed to fix a problem with one of my 20s where the valve got stuck and wouldn't turn at all. That was another weird one. It was at the beginning of a Scout trip in the middle of nowhere in WV. We had another tank, but it developed the same problem a day or two later. I'm going to start packing a small liquid fuel backpacking stove as backup in the future, since I seem to be jinxed with propane.

 

Have had a similar problem in reverse as noted earlier, Empty tank and only took 1.0 lbs or so.. just figured the guy didn't now how to fill it or the pressure guage pressure screw was too loose, dunno. Temp seemed to play a big roll. Hot, full tank, cold empty depending upon how much you've used.

I understand that the free flowing valve will sometimes kick-in if opened too quickly, so I turn it slowly until I see the needle jump. Gauge has also been replaced as not working correctly.

Of course in 'snow weather' the tank will get frosty and not allow the conversion to gas. It just goes out like an empty tank. Tried various things, hot water and it would then work as the propane started evaporating again. but then freeze a little while later. Next stop would be Heat hand warmers duct tapped around and under the tank and I have seen a Cold pipe warmer for home pipes, electrical. Just wraps around the pipes/Tank and keeps it from freezing..

Sounds like the safety valve stuck.. for the original problem.

 

Just had this problem as well. Tank appears to be out of gas (feels light enough). Took it for a refill and could not get gas to flow into the tank. Took it to another place and same issue - gas would not flow into the tank.

 

Our little tank died like this after 2 fill-ups. We have been using the big one off of my barbecue ever since.

If anybody figures out how this can be fixed or repaired please let us all know.

 

I had a similiar problem where the tank would not fill. The guy at the propane filling station lifted the tank about 6 inches above the concrete and let her drop. Problem fixed. Have filled up the tank 4 times since and no further issues.

 

Interesting. So it works like an iPod!!

Bang it and bring it back to life!!

-Al

 

Not having one, I'll just take your word for it... :/

 

Betsey, you really ought to have a propane tank. Ask Craig for one. They help the stove work more better.

Hilditch

 

This bang it or drop it technique works with any and all hitech electronic gadgets. I first started using it with my parents b&w tv. Now that I've grown up to be an electrical engineer I use it all the time, the hammer is also an excellent tool to use just in case banging it or dropping it doesn't work. If all else fails, "force" is also an excellent method, if you really think about it, this is a very patriotic method in that it helps the economy.

 

I know you are joking, but you obviously haven't owned an iPod that has "bricked"

if you have thrown away a bricked iPod before banging it and bringing it back to life, that's your loss, not mine.

It works. (and I did not believe that it would work, even though the interweb said it would. Being an electrical engineer, you probably understand why it works for certain failures.)

(I am NOT suggesting that anyone do it with an electronic device that is functioning OR that can still be repaired.)

-Al