PROPANE AND WATER SYSTEMS - 101

When you are ready to test and operate your propane system, the most important thing is a good sense of smell. First of all, turn on the valve at the propane tank in the compartment on the side. It's OK to smell a tad of propane, but if you smell a really strong smell then that is a bad sign -- possibly a leaking regulator = the part in the line just after the valve. If you hear any hissing sound then there is definitely a leak. Turn if off, and don't proceed until you get it remedied.

Test each of the appliances one by one. The basic procedure is the same for each: you must bleed the air out of the line coming to it for a minute or two, then spark it to light it, and keep bleeding it until it stays on. Usually it isn't ready to light until you begin to smell a faint smell of propane = why the need for your nose, to be sure propane is getting to it. For lighting you will need a lighter wand. One with a butane flame is quicker than a simple sparker.

First go to the stove / oven. Open one burner and wait a few seconds. Then start sparking the burner regularly until it lights. It might go out the first couple of times, so just keep at it. After you get it to stay lit for a while, turn it off and do each of the other burners. Do the same for the oven, if you have one.

Next try the fridge. If it is a late 80s model or newer, it probably has a built-in igniter. Switch it to GAS from OFF (or from the electric function if it has been running). Push the special button to bleed the line for about a minute or two. Then push the igniter repeatedly. When it lights you should see a faint glow in the reflector window. KEEP THE BLEED BUTTON PUSHED for another 30 - 60 sec. until you are sure that the flame stays lit.

The procedure is the same for the furnace. Push the bleed button for a while, then light the pilot orifice with the butane wand. Keep the bleed button pushed for a while longer until you are sure it stays on. To light the main burner you have to turn the thermostat up, on the wall. (Except that on a really hot day it might not even come on.) Don't forget to turn the thermostat off when you are done; even if the gas is off it can still drain your RV battery if it is on.

Lastly, try the water heater, but only if you are sure it has water in it from being connected to a water supply. Either connect a clean hose to the female hose connection on the side of the RV for direct water pressure, or use a hose with a clean end to fill the fresh tank through the filler inlet on the side. Before filling the tank after a dormant period it is a good idea to drain it completely first, using with the drain valve on the side. (Be gentle -- the handle can break easily.) Begin filling the tank with the valve still open so as to flush any remaining old water. Then close the valve and continue filling, simultaneously adding a couple of tablespoons of household bleach to the tank to chlorinate it.

Then to light the water heater, turn on the water pump switch (located various places in different models). The pump will pressurize the water system within 30 seconds or so, and then shut off. (If you hear it cycling on and off without any water being used, then there is a leak somewhere that you'll need to find and remedy.) Next, open the HOT water in the shower; that way the hot water heater will fill up. Turn off the shower when the water is coming out steadily. (If it is rusty looking, then the inside of the water heater is rusty. Wait until it comes out clear, hopefully, and then shut it off.) Next, go outside to the hot water heater compartment, turn the knob to "Pilot." Push the bleed button for a while, then spark the pilot orifice until it lights.

Keep the bleed button pushed until it stays lit. Then rotate the knob to ON and the main burner will ignite. It takes about 30 minutes for the 6 gal. of water to get hot enough for the heater to shut off. Then you can have about a 10-minute shower, if you use the water sparingly. When testing, you can turn it off after a few minutes as soon as you can tell that it is getting warm.

If any of these appliances don't light, it could be because the line has been clogged with a spiders nest = quite common, especially in the water heater and fridge because they are in external compartments. A pipe cleaner will often remedy the situation without taking it all apart.

Important: when you are done, be sure to turn off each of the appliances individually, and turn off the main valve on the tank outside. Be sure to turn off the water pump switch too.

Propane systems are not too hard to operate once you understand the concept of valves, bleeding the lines, and sparking. It is all pretty logical when you think about it. But propane systems can be finicky however, and susceptible to critters, leaks, and other malfunctions. As you get to know each appliance you will become familiar with the look of the flame when it is burning properly. Too orange means something isn't quite right (clogged) = pipe cleaner time. As I said at the start, the most important thing is your nose. Turn everything off at the tank if you ever smell a consistent odor of leaking propane.

Good luck. You can do it.

Tika in Southern California

P.S. You might want to print out this post to have with you when you are doing these operations.