OPD valve failure


Tuesday, 1/22


I filled up one of my 7 year old propane bottles on the fiver
last month, and when I hooked it up it leaked around the screw on
connection to the system. I know the OPD valve is supposed to
clamp down to prevent that, but apparently the leak is just slow
enough not to engage the safety valve. The connection seemed
tight, but I could not get it to quit leaking.

I went back down to Georgetown Propane and bought a new hose and
connector, but after installing that it still leaked. Right at
the screw on connection. I jiggered it around and held my tongue
just right, and after many tries it finally quit leaking.

When the bottle emptied, which seemed a little too soon, I filled
it and again had a lot of trouble keeping it from leaking at the
connection. So when it emptied again (we've had some cold
weather, as has most of the country) today I went down and had
them install a new valve. $21. This time it screwed on tight
easily and didn't leak. We'll see.

Apparently there's a little black plastic or rubber seal in the
valve seat that eventually gets old and hard and can't be fixed
without replacing the whole valve. The damage is not visually
apparent.

I mention this because there's a good chance that many of you
have old valves as well. It may have been leaking a long time
before I noticed it. There was just the faintest hiss, and a
slight whiff of odorant. It certainly felt like it sealed, but a
real check proved otherwise.

This could be a dangerous situation.

So if your tanks are near as old as you are, check 'em. Bit of
trouble, but better than blowing up. :o)

Fer god's sake don't use your Bic lighter to test it. Soapy
water will do, or you might want to invest in one of these:

http://www.professionalequipment.com/pocket-combustible-gas-detector/combustible-gas-detectors/

Bob, who suspects the "permanent" tanks in motorhomes are
especially likely to be neglected in this regard.



http://speedbmps.blogspot.com
http://www.arcatapet.net/bobgiddings
.

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