How long does it take to bleed a 27 gal propane tank?
- Thread starter Jwhite
- Start date
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Rene T
Site Team
Jwhite said:
1st, welcome to the forum. Unable to answer that without knowing how much is in the tank. Just make sure, all ignition sources are off, disconnect the battery, disconnect shore power and you park the RV far away from any structures. It shouldn't take long even if it's full. Let it bleed off slowly and don't smoke.
I'm sure I'll get blasted by some members on this procedure.
Lou Schneider
Site Team
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2005
- Posts
- 13,231
One gallon of liquid propane makes 270 gallons of propane vapor, so you'll be venting a large amount of gas.
Don't vent into calm air, unless the gas can adequately dissipate you'll create pockets of propane gas in any low spots.
Are you getting the valve replaced by a propane distributor? If so they may drain the tank for you.
Don't vent into calm air, unless the gas can adequately dissipate you'll create pockets of propane gas in any low spots.
Are you getting the valve replaced by a propane distributor? If so they may drain the tank for you.
HappyWanderer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2014
- Posts
- 2,967
To help dissipate propane vapors, you can use a garden hose with a wide fog pattern placed near the tank. The flowing water will also create air flow, which can help move vapors away from the RV.
As Lou mentioned, it?s much safer to do this on a breezy day.
As Lou mentioned, it?s much safer to do this on a breezy day.
John From Detroit
Well-known member
This depends on the tank and the bleeder. But first if it's a solenoid valve can you not shut off the MANUAL valve?
IF there is no MANUAL valve Visit a Propane Re-certification place. they can "SUCK" it empty way faster and safer and possibly even recover the propane.. (not sure on that). but that's the place to go.
IF there is no MANUAL valve Visit a Propane Re-certification place. they can "SUCK" it empty way faster and safer and possibly even recover the propane.. (not sure on that). but that's the place to go.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
If this is the LP detector solenoid, there should be a service valve at the tank that will isolate the solenoid when shut off without the need for emptying the tank.
Isaac-1
Well-known member
As mentioned above the service valve should be upstream of the solenoid so should not need to empty the tank to replace solenoid. Also the solenoid is not mandatory so can usually be bypassed
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
"Bleed" can cover a wide variety of flow rates. If it is safe to discharge the gas at all, there is no particular reason to bleed really slowly. At a guess, anywhere from 12-36 hours depending on the bleed speed and how much is actually in the tank.
An alternative is to burn it off in appliances. That works especially well if you have a propane genset, but a water heater and furnace can gulp fairly fast as well. Let the hot water run slowly so that the heater stays on continuously and fire up the furnace with the windows open. Still gonna be a day or so, probably.
An alternative is to burn it off in appliances. That works especially well if you have a propane genset, but a water heater and furnace can gulp fairly fast as well. Let the hot water run slowly so that the heater stays on continuously and fire up the furnace with the windows open. Still gonna be a day or so, probably.
steveblonde
Well-known member
Wouldnt it just be easier and cheaper to buy a new tank? Propane tanks are cheap
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
steveblonde said:
Have you priced a 27 gallon permanently installed ASME RV LP tank lately? I didn't find a 27 gallon tank with a quick search, but here's a 29 gallon for $533.
https://www.amazon.com/Flame-King-YSN293-Horizontal-29-3-Gallon/dp/B00I8IY6FQ
steveblonde
Well-known member
NY_Dutch said:
Oh okay im sorry i thought it was a regular portable tank. Here in Canada proprane powered vehicles are making a huge comeback after becoming almost obsolete for many years. Good luck fixing your issue
I followed the instructions from Rene on this site. It took me 2 1/2 hours to bled the 27 gal. LP
tank that was 1/3 full. I am so grateful to him and all of you. It sure beat my other option of
buying the new tank quoted to me for $776.00 plus shipping.
The happy new comer,
J white.
tank that was 1/3 full. I am so grateful to him and all of you. It sure beat my other option of
buying the new tank quoted to me for $776.00 plus shipping.
The happy new comer,
J white.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
Can you post a photo of the hookup area on this tank? I'm really surprised that there's no service valve at the tank so it can be shut off without having to drain it to service the downstream fittings.
