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06-22-2013, 08:50 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Jim
Trailer: Bigfoot 1981 Trailer
British Columbia
Posts: 189
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Stove Propane Possible Leak
In My 1981 Bigfoot, under the 4 burners when I lift the top plate off, there is a small Lemco metal gray box with a black rubber part (marked vent) which, when the black rubber part is sprayed with soapy water, leaves a very small bubble which indicates a leak. It is located right where the propane piping comes into the stove, before going to the stove burners. The size of this element is about and inch square. I have no idea what this box is for, perhaps a regulator or? Should I be concerned about this (probably) and any idea where I can find a replacement part. The stove was manufactured by Brown Stove Works. Thanks, Jim
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06-22-2013, 11:02 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Ohhh spooky. Glad you found the problem before it became a huge issue!
Maybe try Brown Stove Works, they're still in business.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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06-25-2013, 08:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Jim
Trailer: Bigfoot 1981 Trailer
British Columbia
Posts: 189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
Ohhh spooky. Glad you found the problem before it became a huge issue!
Maybe try Brown Stove Works, they're still in business.
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Thanks, Donna, for the link....I contacted Brown Stove Works and they said that it is normal for the vent to release air from the regulator. There is no propane smell so no problem at all. Thanks for the reply, Jim
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06-25-2013, 08:52 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: Helite
Posts: 164
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Sometimes a slow leek will NOT have a propane smell. B sure you install a propane / Carbon Monoxide detector in the camper. You can purchase a propane sniffer to check where the bubbles R to insure it is not propane.
Take no chances with gas.
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06-26-2013, 10:03 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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2 years ago a family from our county were blown up inside their camper when the mother lit the stove top. They had a small leek and apparently did not smell propane. It didn't kill them but it did burn them very bad.
As Art stated above, Take NO chances with gas. Get it checked out and protect yourself with the right kind of detector.
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06-26-2013, 10:32 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Jim what make and model of stove do you have?
Perhaps there is a manual for it in the documents center here.
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06-26-2013, 11:38 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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Periodic pressure tests of the whole gas system are a wise thing to include in routine maintenance, especially with our older rigs. The test will reveal any ruptures/bad connections etc. Small anomalies such as the one you describe can/will be explained by the technician if in fact they pose any threat.
At least around here, cost is minimal- about twenty-five bucks at the RV place.
Francesca
__________________
............... ..................
Propane Facts vs. Fiction:. Click here
Tow Limit Calculator: Click here
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06-26-2013, 08:03 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1980Trillium 1300
Ontario
Posts: 373
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...Please read the post#9 of mine in article "Bunk Rail" to see how I found out a slow leak of propane line from previous owner. I am no expert, just a practical self-check everything of my works. Share with you guys...
bunk rail
greendragon
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06-26-2013, 08:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1980Trillium 1300
Ontario
Posts: 373
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06-27-2013, 08:18 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Jim
Trailer: Bigfoot 1981 Trailer
British Columbia
Posts: 189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thinh
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Thanks for all the replies. Although I had the system pressure tested a few months ago, I have made an appointment to retest the propane system again. Jim
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06-27-2013, 08:41 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmied
.... I have made an appointment to retest the propane system again. Jim
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Safety first Jim... safety first! Good for you....
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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07-06-2013, 07:56 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Jim
Trailer: Bigfoot 1981 Trailer
British Columbia
Posts: 189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmied
Thanks for all the replies. Although I had the system pressure tested a few months ago, I have made an appointment to retest the propane system again. Jim
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Went for my appointment at the RV dealer. The vent on the stove was not the problem as they pressure tested the whole system. It seems that there was a major leak inside the fridge, which meant, you guessed it, a new fridge for Bigfoot. Was not worth the trouble or expense of repairing a 32 year old fridge. The Dometic is even a 3 way fridge, although I do not plan to use the 12 volt as it draws too much power.
Nice to have a new appliance on board.
As someone pointed out, best to have the propane system checked out on a regular basis and also have a propane detector on board.
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07-06-2013, 08:18 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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Thanks for reporting the outcome, Jim. Always good to hear the end of the story...
Sounds like everything's cool now- in more ways than one!
Francesca
__________________
............... ..................
Propane Facts vs. Fiction:. Click here
Tow Limit Calculator: Click here
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07-06-2013, 09:54 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Linda
Trailer: '77 Scamp
California
Posts: 630
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Hi Jim. Which fridge did you buy?
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07-07-2013, 08:13 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Jim
Trailer: Bigfoot 1981 Trailer
British Columbia
Posts: 189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Otters
Hi Jim. Which fridge did you buy?
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Dometic RM 2354
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07-07-2013, 08:20 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Jim
Trailer: Bigfoot 1981 Trailer
British Columbia
Posts: 189
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Now the new fridge does not cool.
Brought it home from the RV dealer and it worked fine on 110, but the exhaust stack was hot, even though it was not operating on propane. It was about 3 C (just above freezing) for awhile and then all of a sudden it popped up to 40C (over 100F) I turned it off and then restarted and the temp came back to 18C which is about 70F. I tried different settings on the thermostat, but the temp does not come down. Any ideas before I take it back to the dealer on Monday, the day before I am volunteering for a music fest, which I may not be able to attend if the fridge is not working.
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07-07-2013, 10:31 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Jim
Trailer: Bigfoot 1981 Trailer
British Columbia
Posts: 189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmied
Now the new fridge does not cool.
Brought it home from the RV dealer and it worked fine on 110, but the exhaust stack was hot, even though it was not operating on propane. It was about 3 C (just above freezing) for awhile and then all of a sudden it popped up to 40C (over 100F) I turned it off and then restarted and the temp came back to 18C which is about 70F. I tried different settings on the thermostat, but the temp does not come down. Any ideas before I take it back to the dealer on Monday, the day before I am volunteering for a music fest, which I may not be able to attend if the fridge is not working.
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Update: Took the fridge off auto setting and disconnected the 110 and now using only propane. The temps are coming back to where they should be...hope it holds.
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07-07-2013, 10:45 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmied
Now the new fridge does not cool.
Brought it home from the RV dealer and it worked fine on 110, but the exhaust stack was hot, even though it was not operating on propane. It was about 3 C (just above freezing) for awhile and then all of a sudden it popped up to 40C (over 100F) I turned it off and then restarted and the temp came back to 18C which is about 70F. I tried different settings on the thermostat, but the temp does not come down. Any ideas before I take it back to the dealer on Monday, the day before I am volunteering for a music fest, which I may not be able to attend if the fridge is not working.
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Do you have a wireless indoor outdoor thermometer you could put inside it to see what's really going on with the temperature?
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07-07-2013, 01:37 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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As a backup, Take along a good cooler filled with ice and attend the music fest.
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07-07-2013, 01:43 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1972 Boler American and 1979 Trillium 4500
Posts: 5,137
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmied
The Dometic is even a 3 way fridge, although I do not plan to use the 12 volt as it draws too much power.
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The 12V is nice to have when powered by the tow vehicle on those long hauls in the heat.
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