Trailer Life Magazine Open Roads Forum: Tech Issues: Squealing Propane Tanks
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Help and Support  |  Contact

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Tech Issues

Open Roads Forum  >  Tech Issues

 > Squealing Propane Tanks

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Tech Issues Related Tips
jbs6616

Texas

New Member

Joined: 08/12/2007

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club

Offline
Posted: 11/03/09 09:14am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have a 2007 Rockwood travel trailer. Shortly after I got it I began hearing a squealing or whistling sound coming from the propane tanks when the furnace or hot water heater came on. I took it to a Rockwood dealer and they thought it seemed to be one of the two propane tanks, so they replaced it. That worked for a while, but soon the squealing began again. I took it back and they replaced the automatic changeover valve. That seemed to fix it for a while, but now it has started the noise again. Our bed is in the front of the trailer, and the squealing is loud enough to wake us up in the middle of the night. Is it possible I have come up with two different defective changeover valves (the original one and the replacement)? Both tanks seem to make the noise, and when I put my ear to the tanks I can hear the noise, but I'm not sure if the sound actually originates from the tanks, the valve, or someplace entirely different. Any ideas?


2007 Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8293SS 31.5 ft pulled by 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel

midnightsadie

ohio

Senior Member

Joined: 01/07/2008

View Profile


Online
Posted: 11/03/09 10:16am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

open tha tank valve all he way. or it might be a reg going bad.

wa8shc

Parma, Ohio

Senior Member

Joined: 12/11/2003

View Profile



Posted: 11/03/09 10:31am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I had a similar problem on when using the street side tank, but only when furnace was running.
I have a 20 psi regulator on that tank for some reason. Been told it's a 'safety issue' since there's a 12' length of hose going to the main regulator on the other side
This regulator started leaking about 6 wks after it started making the whistling sound. Replaced it and problem went away. Got new regulator by calling Rockwood parts in IN.
Have talked to 1 couple that had the sound 'from both tanks'. Turned out to be bad 'overflow' valves in the tanks. These are the new saftey valves that recent vintage tanks are required to have
Hope this helps


Denny WA8SHC and Rita WB8TIR
Siberian Husky Ta'kya (Princess RIP 10/04 Taz RIP 5/12/08)
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 5.9L CTD 3.73/LSD,Quadzilla RECON monitor
2008 Rockwood 8243S 5th wheel
Pullrite 14K Superglide & MorRyde pinbox

redwake

Visalia, CA

Senior Member

Joined: 08/18/2008

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club

Offline
Posted: 11/03/09 10:42am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

i had this problem as well it resulted from a leak inside of the sight glass replaced the regulator no more problems.


TT: 08 Monterey 27 PT by Extreme RV
TV: 06 Sierra K1500 SLE Crew - 3.73:1 4x4 w/5.3L
Hitched with a Husky WD & SC.
Powered by Champion 3500


fordsooperdooty

Orange Kounty Kalifornia

Senior Member

Joined: 08/13/2004

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/03/09 10:50am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

From the National LP Gas Association-"Not all applications are similar to that of residential use and will therefore utilize regulators for higher and lower pressures as required by the appliance(s). In summary, the purpose of a propane regulator is to "bottleneck" the propane down to a safe and usable pressure. An important point to note is that under normal operation, a propane regulator will make a "humming" noise. This is normal and should not be construed as a problem or regulator malfunction.

The regulator on my propane barbecue is occasionally humming. What could cause this?
Most propane appliance regulators use a rubber diaphragm to control the amount of fuel allowed to the control valves. If the propane tank has been overfilled, or it is a hot day outside, it is possible for this rubber diaphragm to vibrate. As it vibrates, it creates a humming noise. This noise, although annoying, is perfectly safe, and will go away in time." Can also sound like a rattlesnake, buzz, ringing, humming, "sizzle", etc.


A Jayco is not just an RV, it's a way of life!


TXiceman

(Near) Houston,TX

Senior Member

Joined: 11/17/2000

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/03/09 10:51am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

It is a regulator problem.

Ken


KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!

chrisser

Cleveland OH

Senior Member

Joined: 05/05/2009

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/03/09 12:42pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

jbs6616 wrote:

I have a 2007 Rockwood travel trailer. Shortly after I got it I began hearing a squealing or whistling sound coming from the propane tanks when the furnace or hot water heater came on. I took it to a Rockwood dealer and they thought it seemed to be one of the two propane tanks, so they replaced it. That worked for a while, but soon the squealing began again. I took it back and they replaced the automatic changeover valve. That seemed to fix it for a while, but now it has started the noise again. Our bed is in the front of the trailer, and the squealing is loud enough to wake us up in the middle of the night. Is it possible I have come up with two different defective changeover valves (the original one and the replacement)? Both tanks seem to make the noise, and when I put my ear to the tanks I can hear the noise, but I'm not sure if the sound actually originates from the tanks, the valve, or someplace entirely different. Any ideas?


Was teflon tape used on the joints?

On natural gas connections, I've seen teflon tape way overused.

If the tape is past the threads and into the gas flow, I imagine it is possible, if conditions are just right, for it to act like a whistle.

the bear II

Torrance CA.

Full Member

Joined: 02/14/2008

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/03/09 04:18pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

RUN !!!!!

Turbojet

Franklin County

New Member

Joined: 10/04/2009

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/07/09 04:38am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

jbs, try this. Shut both tanks off. Disconnect the supply hoses from the tanks. Reconnect the supply hoses to the tanks. Open the tank valves, all the way, one at a time very, very, slowly. It worked for me, even on my gas grill. Whenever you hook up a tank for the first time, follow this procedure.

Gene&Ginny

North Kingstown, RI

Senior Member

Joined: 03/16/2004

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/07/09 09:05pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

chrisser wrote:

... Was teflon tape used on the joints?

On natural gas connections, I've seen teflon tape way overused.

If the tape is past the threads and into the gas flow, I imagine it is possible, if conditions are just right, for it to act like a whistle.


Just a side note: There is a yellow Teflon tape used on LP/gas, don't use the white Teflon which is for plumbing.


Gene and DW Ginny
2008 Toyota 4Runner 4.7L V8 w/factory towing option
2002 Sunline Solaris Lite T2363

Reese Dual Cam Straight Line HP Sway Control

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 

Open Roads Forum  >  Tech Issues

 > Squealing Propane Tanks
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Tech Issues


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:

© 2009 Trailer Life Magazine | Terms & Conditions | PRIVACY POLICY | YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS