Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 23:59:03 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: propane valve -- manual or autostop?
In-Reply-To: <44D16F10.4060704@earthlink.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The Auto stop valve is actually an over fill protection device. When working
properly, venting or leaking after a fill is the sign that the tank was
overfilled. After the excess bleeds out, the valve gets reset by pushing in
the plunger on the left side. Sometimes, the piece needs a little
persuasion.
Overfilling the tanks provides two major hazards. First, without room for
expansion, there is the explosion potential. Propane is sometimes cold when
filled. It will heat up from road heat, summer heat, etc. Without adequate
expansion space, pressure will build quickly opening a relief. In the event
of a fire, this presents a major hazard, A boiling liquid expanding vapor
explosion,(BLEVE).
The second hazard is the possibility of liquid propane being delivered to an
appliance. This is rare due to the restrictions and the regulator but it can
happen.
I would maintain the auto stop valve.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Mark Drillock
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 11:36 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: propane valve -- manual or autostop?
The danger appears after they fail. No fail, no danger I guess. I have
seen 3 fail on 3 different tanks. All about the same way. Owner found
tank empty when preparing for a trip. Filled tank at usual place. Later
found tank hissing or smelled strong propane smell when parked even
with supply valve off. A.S. valve leaking past o-ring inside autostop
assembly. The worst one was a friends 84 Wolfy. I took it for a fill
and needed 2.5 gals, empty. Seeped some after propane guy filled it.
Stopped a few miles later and cloud of propane hissing out. Danger? Only
if a spark occurred. I parked it in an isolated spot very near by and
waited for the whole tank to escape, which it did faster and faster.
What if the leak had stayed very small until the van was parked in the
garage along with the gas water heater?
Mark
Old Volks Home wrote:
> My 84 Westy has the "so-called" dangerous Auto-Stop Valve. Never a
> filling
> problem since I purchased the vehicle in May 1997. And I have an NOS
> Auto-Stop Valve stashed away in case a problem does develop (and no,
> it is
> not for sale).
>
> Auto Stop Valves were intro'd sometime during the 1984 model year.
> The even
> safer valve mechanism was intro'd early in the 1989 model year and of
> course, equipped on all replacement tank assemblies.
>
> Replacement Tank Assemblies are available from Bus Depot @ $289.95,
> less the
> list discount, their number 253070601D. No affiliation, etc....
> --
> Jim Thompson
> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> 73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
> 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
> oldvolkshome@gmail.com
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> **********************************
> On 8/2/06, Geo & Kathleen Hahn <ahwahnee@cybertrails.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Mike Rouby wrote:
>>
>> >I believe some mid-year waterboxers use manual as well. Not sure the
>> cutoff year.
>> >
>>
>> FWIW... my May 1984 Westy has the manual.
>>
>> Geo H
>
>
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