Another propane (fireplace) question....

[Richard]

I guess with the turn of the weather, staying warm is higher on my mind.

I have noticed what seems to be trend and am curious if I have a budding issue.

About a year ago, we had a ventless fireplace installed. I have a dual manifold outside where I keep a 100 pound tank attached (as backup) and sitting on a stand, I have a 30 pound tank that use day to day. I use he 30 pound tanks (rotate through three of them) because they are easier to move than the 100 pound tank.

Anyways, here seems to be the problem:

As of yesterday, I have a freshly filled 100 pound AND 30 pound tank attached to the switching manifold. I had the 100 pound tank selected. Pilot lights & stay lit. I turn the fire on an it seems to sputter and go out (including the pilot). Tried 15 times and every time it goes out

I got it burning again, went outside & activated the 30 pound tank. Came back in and the fireplace works 100% fine.

Can the 100 pound tank cause an issue by being too full? (I know it all goes through a regulator)

I had this SAME thing happen when I used my PRIOR 100 pound tank. The problem seemed to go away after I blew some propane off. (literally... I disconnected the connection and opened the valve for 2-3 seconds)

Why might the large tanks be creating an issue?

 

[Richard]

Well.... interesting.

An update already.

I went to a second fireplace, it did same thing. Pilot light worked....but flames sputtered and all went out when I turned it on.

I went outside, disconnected large tank, purged it for a second and now (knocking on wood) the fireplace is working fine.

I'm beginning to guess that I might have had some air mixed in there that wasn't purged when the tank was filled?

 

[dave1949]

Tanks can be too full. 80% full is the general limit. There needs to be enough space for the liquid propane to expand (boil) into a gaseous state. The gas is what is drawn off and burned in the appliance. Outdoor temperature affects this too but I don't think you would have that problem in Knoxville.

Too full maybe, does each tank have its own pressure regulator?

 

[BethelHntr]

You could have residual air in the line from them being disconnected while refueling.