Propane automatic shut off valve

[Cindy]

Hello all, has anyone used this on their rig? Thanks for the advice...

[tashcraft36]

We have one on each 30 lb tank. I especially use them when taking the tanks down for refills. A little piece of mind during transport.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I don't. What do you want it for? In case you rupture a line?

[Cate&Rob]

The valve built into the propane tank has an overflow shutoff, but this has a small bleed (when connected to a hose) to equalize pressure and allow the main valve to open. My understanding (and I don't have first hand experience) is that the device you are considering will shut off this small equalizing bleed.

When there is nothing connected to the tank, the internal valve shuts off all flow, even if the manual valve is opened.

The "gauge" is of limited value because it is measuring vapour pressure rather than liquid level. It will wander around in the green zone depending on ambient temperature until the tank is almost empty, all liquid propane has evaporated inside the tank and vapour pressure begins to drop.

Rob

[TedS]

There is an excess flow valve, the 'leaky' check valve, in the hose fitting that screws onto the cylinder valve Acme thread outlet. As long as there is excess flow, this valve limits the flow of propane to minimize a fire hazard. It also comes into play when the downstream hose is empty or near empty and the cylinder valve is opened quickly. The built-in leaky bypass limits flow until the pressure is balanced across that valve and it then fully opens.

[TedS]

Question: will the GasStop work with an excess leak valve pigtail? GasStop defines macro leak for it to work is 70 cfh(cubic feet per hour). The pigtail excess flow valve bypass flow is about 10 cfh. Will the GasStop respond?

[Wileykid]

I bought two of these earlier this year for my trailer. After my second trip this year with them installed, I have taken them off and will not use them again. The major issue is that it will shut off the supply if the road is rough enough. Unfortunately, on both trips, on major highways, the valve has shut off the propane supply at some point, which is not good if one is carrying medication that requires the fridge to work, although I doubt it would warm up enough to affect it, not worth it to me. The accuracy of the gauge is no better than the knuckle knocking is, or lifting the bottles to feel the weight. Two Mopeka sensors now ordered to replace the GasStop.

[TucsonJim]

I bought two of these earlier this year for my trailer. After my second trip this year with them installed, I have taken them off and will not use them again. The major issue is that it will shut off the supply if the road is rough enough. Unfortunately, on both trips, on major highways, the valve has shut off the propane supply at some point, which is not good if one is carrying medication that requires the fridge to work, although I doubt it would warm up enough to affect it, not worth it to me. The accuracy of the gauge is no better than the knuckle knocking is, or lifting the bottles to feel the weight. Two Mopeka sensors now ordered to replace the GasStop.

I purchased two Mopeka sensors at the eclipse rally in Texas. Then ncitro helped me install them and integrate them into my Victron VRM software. They are awesome and I can tell my propane levels anywhere I have internet. And through the phone app via blue tooth when I don't have internet.



Jim

[Cate&Rob]

I bought two of these earlier this year for my trailer. After my second trip this year with them installed, I have taken them off and will not use them again. The major issue is that it will shut off the supply if the road is rough enough. Unfortunately, on both trips, on major highways, the valve has shut off the propane supply at some point, which is not good if one is carrying medication that requires the fridge to work, although I doubt it would warm up enough to affect it, not worth it to me. The accuracy of the gauge is no better than the knuckle knocking is, or lifting the bottles to feel the weight. Two Mopeka sensors now ordered to replace the GasStop.

For Gas Stop to infer that you can measure propane level with a vapour pressure measurement is "misleading" at best. Their "safety" duplicates what is built into every propane tank. I recently installed two Mopeka Pro sensors and these have been rock solid accurate since setup. You can get a display readout but the bluetooth signal to the phone works great and has amazing range. I did get the Mopeka rubber ring for the lower flange of the propane tanks to make sure there was room for the sensors which magnetically attach to the bottom of the tank. The small aluminum clips that come with the sensor to make room under the tank are flimsy and break. https://mopeka.com/product/mopeka-pr...r-tank-monitor

Rob

[Wileykid]

Thanks guys, I knew there was some kind of safety valve on the tank, just didn't know how it worked, and was taken in on these valves. As they say, live and learn. I do now have them for sale to anyone..lol.

[howson]

Thanks guys, I knew there was some kind of safety valve on the tank, just didn't know how it worked, and was taken in on these valves. As they say, live and learn. I do now have them for sale to anyone..lol.

For clarity...I hope the following helps.

There's an Excess Flow device built into the pigtail . This safety device is on all of our trailers since (presumably) all of us use propane cylinders not tanks. (Tanks are used in motorhomes.) The pigtail is the hose that connects the cylinder to the regulator.

Snip from https://rv-pro.com/features/making-t...urs-carefully/



Note in the text explaining how the device works that it will allow a small amount of propane vapor to bypass. The GasStop device is supposed to shut off even the smallest of leaks. Chad from Changing Lanes did a video on the device about 4 years ago. If you haven't seen it, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nITU1SWow2k

FYI, I have no opinion on the device one way or another.

ADDITIONAL INFO
What's inside the cylinder (often mistakenly called a "tank") is a safety device with the name Overfilling Prevention Device.

Snip below from https://www.propane101.com/opdcylindervalves.htm

[Cindy]

My thanks to all for the information... much appreciated....
Cindy