?

Sam
Thanks for posting about your propane project. What exactly did you
do? Hoses, on-off LP valve, regulator? Did you empty the tank? Did you
replace the LP fill valve too?

Working with propane, did you do the work outdoors?
bg-bill

Seems like that may be the "X relay"?
...Tom

?

?? Hello Webster!

Likely the same-tougher restrictions in the states - and

after 10 years - Fittings &/or tank-seals could be failing

have a Pro dealer check system & components for

?? Your Safety!! Happy Trails!! JTL

On Fri, Jul 3, 2015 at 7:14 PM, webster@... [ev_update] <ev_update@...> wrote:

?

Turned on the propane last week and it made a hissing noise - figured it was probably the knob or a connection. When I spoke to a local rv dealer he said he was unable to work on the tank as it was older than ten years and would need to be replaced. Apparently this is a requirement in Ontario. Have any Ontario owners run into this before and is there any way around it? Thought about having it checked next time we were in the states. or do they have the same rule?

?

Hi August and all?

Here is what I have learned?regarding Gas tank fumes and the Evap System Charcoal Canister.

Back before emission standards, fumes from the tank were released directly?into the environment via a?vent. The tank was an open system. When emission controls entered the scene, the open system was replaced by a closed system to prevent fumes from being released.?

The Evap canister is designed to accumulate fumes from the gas tank so that they can be burned, thus eliminating releases into the environment as well as preventing?pressure build up?in the tank. The canister is filled with charcoal particles to absorb tank fumes that can then be burned. There is a fan upstream of the canister that is activated when you turn on the engine. This forces the stored fumes into the fuel system to be burned rather ?than released. The problem arises if gas somehow gets into the canister which is only designed for fumes.?

This can happen if you over fill the tank by topping it off after the fill up shuts off automatically. The intake for the fumes, located at the top of the tank?takes in liquid gas. The gas then dissolves the charcoal which then clogs the system preventing the fumes from burning off and building pressure in the tank. If just a little gas gets in, the clog may be rather minimal just leading to minor pressure build up. If a lot of gas gets in, the charcoal can dissolve into a sort of muddy mess that completely clogs and shuts down the system. At that point, the only fix is to replace the canister which can cost up to $1,000 or so (I may be off on the price).?

If, however, the gas in the canister is minimal, the diminished capacity may be just a minor annoyance you can live with. Some have had success removing the canister and blowing out the liquids with an air hose. This is more likely to be successful if the amount of gas is minimal.?

The issue is exacerbated when it is hot, and at higher altitudes. I am currently in Santa Fe at 7,000 feet with 90 degree plus temperatures during the heat of the day. The fume and pressure build up is much greater during the day. When it cools down at night, 60 degrees or so, the pressure build up is far less.?

In my case, i think that a lot of gas got in. When I shut off the engine, I hear a gurgling noise coming from under the van that is presumably gas gurgling in the canister. Yesterday I had a shop remove the canister and blow air through it to open it up and force out as much gas as possible. Some folks have had success with this approach. I have yet to determine if this works for me. I'll report back in another post.

As far as safety goes, everything I've read and been told unanimously says this is not an issue. I've also been told that the tank can take considerable pressure. This is from web sites on various vehicles. While this may be true, my tank builds up so much pressure on very hot days that I'm not willing to take the risk. I fear that a hose or line might fail.?

Next week we are headed for Montana and then back to Seattle. My wife and I alternate drivers about every 200 miles, and we will be opening the gas cap each time we stop?to keep the pressure low.

We'll see how this goes. When we return to Seattle, we will decide whether or not to replace the canister. As long as we keep the tank pressure low, I'm not concerned about safety for the duration of the trip.?Back in cooler Seattle at sea level, this may be less of a problem.

This is probably way more detailed information than you were expecting. If anyone can add to this or if I have gotten any of the facts wrong, please straighten me out.?

In the mean time I intend to enjoy the rest of the summer...

Dan

--

Dan Phalen

?

Would someone describe EXACTLY where I find these fuses so that I can check to see

if they are blown??

Thanks in advance...

Turned on the propane last week and it made a hissing noise - figured it was probably the knob or a connection. When I spoke to a local rv dealer he said he was unable to work on the tank as it was older than ten years and would need to be replaced. Apparently this is a requirement in Ontario. Have any Ontario owners run into this before and is there any way around it? Thought about having it checked next time we were in the states. or do they have the same rule?