Bayside LP gas issue

[ricknamy]

Hi all,
 
I bought a used 2003 Coleman Bayside last fall.  Now after pulling it out from winter storage, I have a problem with the propane.  The inside and outside stoves (both high pressure) work fine.   However, none of the other items seem to work (I believe all low pressure).  This includes the refrigerator, water heater, and furnace.  My first guess is a low pressure regulator, but I thought I would check here with the experts since this is my first pop-up.  
 
Thanks!
Rick

[flyfisherman]

Hi all,
 
I bought a used 2003 Coleman Bayside last fall.  Now after pulling it out from winter storage, I have a problem with the propane.  The inside and outside stoves (both high pressure) work fine.   However, none of the other items seem to work (I believe all low pressure).  This includes the refrigerator, water heater, and furnace.  My first guess is a low pressure regulator, but I thought I would check here with the experts since this is my first pop-up.  
 
Thanks!
Rick

Hey Rick ~ welcome to Popup Times!

Think you'll find that only the outside stove is high pressure; the inside will be low pressure along with all the other inside applicances using L/P. Obviously, you got the inside stove going (and the outside as well), may I suggest to let the inside stove burn for a few minutes ... maybe even light all the burners at the same time, too. That will get the L/P flowing on the low side of the regulator and all the lines filled with propane. After three or four minutes, see if the other appliances will fire up.



Fly

[ricknamy]

Thanks for the suggestion Fly.  You're probably right about the stove.  I just assumed the inside was high pressure as the outside is ( the last year for outside high pressure stoves as I understand).  I tried this and it didn't make any difference.  One thing I might also note is that the two stoves are on one side of the trailer, and all the appliances that don't work, are on the other side of the trailer.

[flyfisherman]

Thanks for the suggestion Fly.  You're probably right about the stove.  I just assumed the inside was high pressure as the outside is ( the last year for outside high pressure stoves as I understand).  I tried this and it didn't make any difference.  One thing I might also note is that the two stoves are on one side of the trailer, and all the appliances that don't work, are on the other side of the trailer.

It sure has the symptoms of a clogged line somewhere! Perhaps some other  Bayside owner will have an insight.

I'd be inclined to make sure the interior stove was working (light it for a minute or two), then turn the stove off (making sure the stove and EVERYTHING else with an open flame is shut down), and disconnect a line that runs to an appliance like the 3-way frig or the furnance and see if any L/P was making it's way through the line. Maybe ... the opening ports of the L/P line right at the applicances could be clogged ... maybe?

When you do find out, please post it so we'll all have a heads-up!


Fly

[ricknamy]

Sounds good, Fly.  Will give your idea a try this Saturday and let you know how it goes.  Thanks!

It sure has the symptoms of a clogged line somewhere! Perhaps some other Bayside owner will have an insight.
 
I'd be inclined to make sure the interior stove was working (light it for a minute or two), then turn the stove off (making sure the stove and EVERYTHING else with an open flame is shut down), and disconnect a line that runs to an appliance like the 3-way frig or the furnance and see if any L/P was making it's way through the line. Maybe ... the opening ports of the L/P line right at the applicances could be clogged ... maybe?
 
When you do find out, please post it so we'll all have a heads-up!
 
 
Fly

[beacher]

Thanks for the suggestion Fly.  You're probably right about the stove.  I just assumed the inside was high pressure as the outside is ( the last year for outside high pressure stoves as I understand).  .......

2005 was the last year with the outside High Pressure 1"-20 connection included only on the Grand Tour series.  However, the High Pressure propane connector is returning with the 2008 model year Highlanders, and some of the Americana models!

Is anything coming out of the line when you connect your stove to the High Pressure 1"-20 connector?  Do you hear a hissing sound?

Do you have an auto-changeover valve and two propane tanks?  If you do, the high pressure line is only fed by one of the tanks, (and it might be empty).  The other tank will still supply all the low pressure appliances, sometimes causing some confusion.

[ricknamy]

Is anything coming out of the line when you connect your stove to the High Pressure 1"-20 connector? Do you hear a hissing sound?
 
Do you have an auto-changeover valve and two propane tanks? If you do, the high pressure line is only fed by one of the tanks, (and it might be empty). The other tank will still supply all the low pressure appliances, sometimes causing some confusion.

Yes, the high pressure gas is working on the high pressure connector.
 
I do, indeed, have the auto-changeover valve with two tanks.  Both tanks are full.  Is it still possible for this valve to be the culprit?  I'll have to check my manuals to see if I can get a better idea of how all this works.  I'll be too busy to do anything until Saturday, but plan to work on it all day to get it going if I have too.  Thanks for your feedback!

[flyfisherman]

Is it still possible for this valve to be the culprit?

Yes it is! (don't know why someone as smart as me did not give that some consideration before!)

The newer valves that were put into L/P tanks do have a knack of hanging up from time to time.  Another "trick" you might try is shuting the tanks off completely and then re-opening them again kinda slow. Sometimes when they are opened fast, they'll shut down.


Fly

[ricknamy]

The newer valves that were put into L/P tanks do have a knack of hanging up from time to time. Another "trick" you might try is shuting the tanks off completely and then re-opening them again kinda slow.  
Fly

Ah!  So another way to try that might simply be to take my two BBQ propane tanks and try them on the trailer???

[Steve-o-bud]

On the new style propane tank valves, if there isn't enough backpressure, when you first open the valve, there is something in the valve that detects the sudden rush of propane and closes.
 
I learned this the hard way with a Turkey fryer. The burner is so big, it provides almost no back pressure. There is a secondary downstream valve, so I had to make sure that it was closed, than open the the valve on the tank, and then slowly open the second valve. That seemed to work.
 
This is not likely the cause in your case, since the high pressure stove is working, as well as the inside low pressure stove. I found that it takes some patience for the air to purge out of, and the propane to flow into, the supply lines for the fridge and water heater.