how to reset safety valve on propane tank in stock

Has your propane tank valve gotten stuck yet again? This can put a serious damper if you’ve planned a BBQ, or literally anything that requires your propane tank. But here’s some good news: this article will tell you exactly how to unstick a propane tank valve.

Before we move onto the meat of the matter, you need to understand how your propane tank works. This applies to anything that runs on propane: fireplaces, water heaters, stoves, gas grills, and even RVs. Knowing how your tank operates will make it easier to troubleshoot minor issues.

A basic tank is filled with propane liquid and uses a special machine that forces the propane gas into the tank under pressure, turning it into its liquid form. It remains pressurized in the tank until the valve is released. When the valve is turned, the pressure decreases and the gas converts to vapor and escapes through the opening.

The propane gas is allowed to escape the canister under a certain pressure determined by the size of the valve. Large commercial propane tanks have multiple valves and gauges.

The main valves are the fill valves to refill the tank, a service valve to release the propane, and a relief valve. The relief valve prevents too much pressure from building up in the tank and exploding.

Tanks also have gauges that measure the level of liquid in the tanks called a float gauge, as well as a vapor recovery valve that can be used to release excess vapor in the tanks when getting it serviced.

The tanks are often closed very tightly to prevent leaks. If your propane tank won’t open after you bring it home the first time, try using a wrench or a pair of pliers. You can also unhook the tank from your stove and apply a bit of oil to the valve, before trying to yank it open with pliers.

Before you try to fix a propane safety valve (or any other tank valve), you need to identify the cause of the blockage. This will determine what you need to do to correct the issue.

The most important thing to bear in mind is that propane is highly combustible. When correcting a faulty tank valve, make sure you don’t puncture the tank and cause more damage. Safety is always a priority, so work in a ventilated area and do not light matches or lighters near your tank.

Set the propane tank on a steady, level surface. Make sure you are in a dry and cool area. Carefully check the tank for any signs of obvious damage and try to find the source of any possible leaks.

Wrap the rubber band around the outer edges of the valve to get a better grip on the blocked valve. Once you get a firm grip, twist firmly to loosen and dislodge the valve with your hand.

If this doesn’t work, spray a bit of oil or lubricant on the valve. Shake the valve back and forth to loosen it up, and then try to twist it open once again.

If the valve is still stuck, use a pair of pliers or a wrench to force it open. Grasp the edge of the valve with your pliers firmly and twist counterclockwise to open the valve. Try not to use too much pressure or as this can break the valve instead.

If your valves have rust or water damage, assess the situation. If it is still in the early stages, you can use baking soda and vinegar to get rid of the rust. However, if it is too far gone, you will need to replace the valve.

To avoid the fuss of a propane tank valve that needs to be dislodged, you can follow a few simple steps to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Don’t twist the valve closed too tightly. This might sound obvious, but people tend to close the valve really tightly, especially after a refill. Shut it tight, but don’t overdo it.

After buying a new tank or refilling your old one, smack the bottom of the tank on the ground once or twice. This will loosen the valve so you can open it more easily.

Don’t open the valve of a new cylinder rapidly as this can make it get jammed the next time. Instead, test the water and work it slowly and carefully.

If your propane tank leaks when connected, you most likely need a new valve. Check for the site of the leak by spraying soapy water at the valve, connection point, and pipes. If you see bubbles at the valve or connection, the gasket is broken and the valve requires replacing.

Soak the hose for a few minutes in warm soapy water to clean it. Use grease-cutting dish soap or something similar to break down accumulated oil and debris. Rinse the hose thoroughly under running water and allow it to dry.

The propane tank shut-off valve is your best bet during leaks if the hose or valve isn’t the one behind the leaks. The service or shut-off valve is the metallic spigot-like dial located under the tank cover and hooked to the top of the tank.

You need to use this valve to turn the gas off at the tank in the event of an emergency or leak. Always turn this valve to the right (clockwise), completely to shut off the gas.

This kind of valve is required on all large 4-to-40-pound commercial cylinders in vapor service. The OPD valve is a protective device and is exactly what it sounds like. It prevents the tank from overfilling.

Place the open jaws of the crescent wrench over the large bolt of the tank’s gas regulator. This is located at the meeting point of the propane tank and the gas regulator. Use the thumbscrew to grip the jaws around the large nut.

Then, loosen the nut with the wrench. Continue to remove the nut by hand until you can pull the neck of the regulator from the propane tank connection. You may catch a small whiff of gas as the regulator’s neck is pulled from the propane tank, but this is nothing to be worried about.

Remove the tank from the grill’s cart. In some models, you might have to loosen a safety strap. Store the empty tank in a safe and dry location, outdoors and well away from any flames.

It is perfectly normal to smell a little propane as tiny amounts can leak when the tank is in use. You can also smell the gas when the tank is nearly empty.

It is common for a propane tank to hiss. Hearing this sound is an indication that your tank is leaking so shut off all the valves and check for the location of the leak.

It is always a little scary when dealing with gas tanks, as we are well aware of the risks. However, knowing how to handle any kind of malfunctioning will make it much easier to deal with.

Once you know how to unstick a propane tank valve, you can loosen the valve or spigot without any trouble. And this will make the process of grilling much easier. Happy cooking!

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I meant to post that but was at work and didn"t have time. Glad you got the answer. The check valve that caused your problem drastically reduces propane flow in case a vehicle is in a accident and the lines are ruptured. It is triggered by excessive gas flow. In the case of a system that has no pressure in it (ie: a gas appliance was replaced or serviced), when you open the valve the gas rushes out triggering the safety valve. So, aloways open the tank valve slowly when system is not pressurized. You can simply tiurn the valve off, wait one minute then turn it back on slowly to reset it.

A propane tank is essential for households that use gas ovens and stoves. It is connected with the grills, thanks to its even heating performance. In addition, propane tanks are cost-efficient and offer better heat control.

Propane tanks come with a valve that helps control the gas. If the valve is stuck, you won’t be able to control the inflow of gas to the cooking range or grill. In this article, we intend to discuss some fixes for a stuck propane tank valve.

Lubricant is one of the easiest ways of loosening up the valve. The lubricants help free up the stuck valve by reducing friction between different metal parts. This is because there are volatile components in the lubricant.

In addition, the lubricants evaporate pretty quickly and leave behind a residual film all over the valve, which makes sure the valve is moist and moves freely. When you apply the lubricant, let it set for two minutes, and then shake the valve to loosen it up.

For this purpose, you have to grip the valve’s edge with pliers tightly and twist it in a counterclockwise direction to open the valve. However, you must apply the pressure gently because excessive pressure can lead to valve breakage.

In most cases, the valve becomes stuck because of rust formation in the connecting point of the valve. If the rust is in the early stages, make a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to remove the rust.

For this purpose, you will have to apply this mixture to the rusted area, let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes, and use steel wool to scrub off the rust. When the rust is removed, we recommend applying penetrating oil.

It helps disperse water from the surface it’s applied to and creates a non-conductive film once it dries out. As a result, the valve will be easier to rotate.

In fact, the penetrating liquids can cut rust because it works as a solvent cleaner, and the oils dissolve the rust particles that cause jamming. However, if you are unable to clean the rust, it’s better to get the valve replaced.

Never twist the valve too tightly. This is because some people close the valve too tightly after the refill, which makes it impossible to open. So, shut the valve tight to an extent where it doesn’t cause a gas leak.

When you refill the propane tank or get a new one, hit the bottom of the propane tank on the ground twice. It helps loosen up the valve for easier movement.

Do not open the valve too quickly as it can make the valve jammed the next time you open it. Ideally, you should test the water and open the valve gradually.

Don’t put the propane tank under direct sunlight because tank overheating will cause a valve lockout. This is because too much sunlight heats up the propane tank and builds pressure, which prevents the valve from rotating.

The propane tank valve must be open at all times, as a stuck valve will not allow you to control the gas flow to the cooking range or grill. The solutions mentioned in this article will help free up the valve. However, if nothing works, you can take the propane tank to a dealer for more help.

The time has come and the epic barbecue dinner you had planned is in play as friends and family arrive. It’s time to fire up your barbecue grill and preheat it so you can begin cooking. Then you notice the flame is low, and that the grill is only heating up to 250 or 300 degrees Fahrenheit – or maybe it’s not even igniting!!! Don’t panic! There’s no need yet to call your local grill store to come out and fix it yet. This post may just save the day and some of your hard-earned money! …

* Side note about the shut down procedure. The following ignition sequences are written assuming you are turning the burners off 1st, then the Propane Tank. Therefore, each sequence starts from the “all off” positions. You can turn the burners off and leave the Propane Tank on; however, we strongly recommend you to go ahead and turn the Tank off also.

To put it simply, the key is to be sure you have your burners off before you turn on the Propane. If you turn the burners on first the gas will not be pressurized in the gas line causing the Bypass to trigger. You see, in this case the system detects there is a gas leak; hence, the bypass triggers.

* When using the improper sequence, the regulator will trip because by turning the burners on 1st, you empty the lines of any propane which causes the low line pressure.

If after having deployed this fix the issue persists, it’s time to call your local BBQ Grill Repair Company. There are numerous other more advanced issues that can occur. For instance, you may have a blockage in the Venturis Tubes. A blockage like this is caused by char/grease build-up. You can decrease the likely hood of this ever happening by being sure to have a BBQ Grill Cleaning done regularly.

An OPD Cylinder Valve is indeed a part of your propane tanks’ inherent safety design. However, it does not have a “Bypass” as your regulator does, nor is it designed as a safety mechanism during usage. This device is required on all 4 to 40 pound DOT cylinders.

OPD stands for Overfilling Prevention Device and its first function is to do just that, prevent the user from overfilling the device. In addition, the device disallows Propane from flowing out of the cylinder if the triangular handwheel is opened and there is no gas line connected. It does this because there is no connected regulator to push open the valve’s orifice. Moreover, Propane OPD valves operate inside the bottle and are activated as the cylinders liquid propane rises in level pushing the float upward, therefore, stopping the flow of gas into the tank. This action is similar to that of a toilets float valve; once the water in the bowl rises to a certain level, the flow of water stops.

The OPD Valve is one of the main focuses regarding the fact that tanks are to be recertified 12 years after original manufacturer dates and every 5 years thereafter. Inside, there are what you can call “O-Rings” that need to be changed out at those predefined intervals. Also, the mechanism itself can be swapped out for a new one. Tampering with this device is NOT RECOMMENDED. If you suspect there’s an issue call your local propane delivery supplier and they will deal with it properly.

If you are able tosafely turn offthe cylinder valve. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise). If not,isolate the tankaway from any possible ignition sources and call your local fire department.

NEVERstore or place a propane cylinder in an area of excessive heat (120 degrees or higher) or near a stove, fireplace, or other heat source. The heat builds up pressure inside the cylinder, which may cause the pressure relief valve to release propane. Flash fires or explosions can result from exposing cylinders to heat.

The law places limits on the number of cylinders and the amount of propane that can be transported in closed-bodied vehicles such as passenger cars and vans. Ask your propane retailer for more information on state and local codes that apply to you.

Propane cylinders incorporate special components such as valves, connectors, and other parts to keep them safe for use with grills and other propane appliances. Damage to any component can cause a gas leak.DON’T RISK IT!Call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician for assistance.

It is important to inspect your cylinder and outdoor gas appliances for leaks. Do this before using them for the first time each season, as well as on a regular basis. This can be accomplished with a simple “bubble” test:

Apply leak detector solution or thick soapy water to the connection(s) between the cylinder valve and the regulator outlet. These connections are marked with an “x” on the diagram below.

If bubbles appear, close the cylinder valve, tighten the connection, and repeat the process. If bubbles still appear, call your propane retailer immediately.

NEVER use a damaged cylinder or a cylinder that has been in a fire. All cylinders must be inspected before they are refilled. The law requires periodic inspection of cylinders, and it is against the law to refill out-of-date cylinders. The last inspection date is stamped on the cylinder.

NEVER dispose of your propane cylinder by throwing it in the trash. Check to see if there are municipal programs for collection in your area, or contact your propane retailer for guidance on disposal of the cylinder.

An OPD is a safety feature that helps prevent small propane cylinders from being overfilled. An overfilled cylinder doesn’t have enough space left if the liquid expands when exposed to warmer temperatures. This can cause an increase in cylinder pressure and create potentially hazardous conditions.

Most cylinders with OPDs have special triangular handwheels with the letters “OPD” on them. In many states, cylinders without OPDs cannot be refilled. If you are uncertain as to whether your cylinder has an OPD valve on it, ask your propane retailer.

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So, you’re all set up at your campsite with gorgeous views and the smell of fresh air and pine trees. And then – it happens. First, the stove won’t light. Then the water heater won’t fire up. And then you realize your fridge is running on electricity rather than propane! What’s going on! You are sure you filled the propane tank before you left for your RV camping trip. But now the RV propane is not flowing!

Luckily, if your RV propane is not flowing, it’s easy to troubleshoot and resolve. Start by checking these four items and chances are you will solve your dilemma.

It is very likely that one of these four things is causing low or no flow of propane to your RV appliances. However, there could be other causes as well. So, read on as we discover what to do when the RV propane is not flowing.

I’m sure you are reading this thinking, of course, the valve needs to be open for the propane to flow. And you are right! But sometimes you might think the valve is open and it’s not. Let me run a very typical scenario by you.

You are preparing to go on your RV road trip. And if you are like me, you turn on the RV fridge the night before to give the refrigerator and freezer ample time to get cold. So, the propane valve is open, and the batteries are on, and you turn on the fridge. And the next morning the fridge is nice and cold. Perfect! You load up all of your food and ice and the rest of your belongings, and off you go!

First stop, is to gas up and top off the propane tank. Well, guess what. For the attendant to fill your propane tank, the propane valve MUST be in the closed position. So, he closes the tank valve and fills your propane tank. Then he leaves the valve in the closed position, as he should. You take off and arrive at your campground and notice the fridge isn’t as cold as it should be. Then you begin to wonder what’s going on. So you try to see if propane comes out of a stovetop burner. And it doesn’t! Why? Because the attendant did the right thing and turned the propane valve off when he filled your propane tank.

What the heck is an excess flow valve? It’s a safety feature on propane tanks that is also called a flow limiting device. The excess flow valve is designed to stop or substantially reduce the flow of propane gas if there is a leak somewhere in the RV propane system. It’s basically a spring loaded valve or a small ball in the center of the gas fitting that detects propane leaving the tank too quickly. If this happens, the spring or ball engage and stop the flow of propane.

If you have a leak anywhere in the propane system, the valve will engage. The only thing to do at this point is to turn off the propane, close all the stovetop burner knobs, put out your cigarette, extinguish the campfire and get your RV to a repair shop asap!

If you open the propane tank valve too quickly the valve can sometimes be tricked into sensing there is a leak. It will then engage because it detects propane leaving the tank to fast. To troubleshoot this situation, turn off the propane tank valve, turn off the fridge and water heater, and be sure all of your stovetop knobs are fully closed. Wait five or ten minutes and turn the propane valve on exceptionally slowly. This will slowly pressurize the propane system without the valve engaging, and then you will have a full flow of propane. After you have a flow of propane, you MUST open the tank valve to the fully open position. It is never a good idea to operate the propane system with the tank valve partially opened.

If you do not screw the propane hose fitting into the tank fitting properly, the valve will remain in the closed position, and no propane will be able to flow. Just unscrew it, line it up correctly and screw it in again. This is very unlikely to happen with the big plastic screw caps like the one in my hand in the picture below. You can’t really thread them incorrectly. But the older brass fittings that are screwed in counterclockwise could misthread.

Pressure regulators typically last for 10 to 15 years, but inevitably they will fail. So, if your pressure regulator is about 8 to 10 years old, it’s probably best to just go ahead and replace it before it fails in the middle of a camping trip. The good news is they are very easy to install yourself, and they are pretty inexpensive.

If your propane gas regulator is working correctly the flame color should be blue and the flame height will be even around your cooktop burner. All you need to do to troubleshoot your RV propane regulator is to look for some common signs of trouble. Some signs of possible problems with a propane gas regulator are yellow or orange flames; a popping noise when turning a stovetop burner on or off, a roaring noise from the stovetop burners, or an accumulation of soot on the burners. If you have any of these issues, you can try to reset your pressure regulator and see if it resolves the issue.

Before you reset the regulator, it is important to understand that it has the same type of safety feature that a propane tank has. Inside the regulator, there is a little valve that will detect propane gas moving through the system too quickly. If it senses this, it will stop or slow the flow of propane. If the pressure regulator is restricting the flow of propane, you will see the symptoms mentioned above.

To reset a pressure regulator just turn off the propane tank, and make sure all of your propane appliances are off inside your RV. Wait a few minutes, and the pressure regulator will reset itself. Then turn the propane tank valve on extremely slowly to allow the lines to become appropriately pressurized. Once this is done, you can ignite a propane appliance, and it should work properly. If not, it may be time to get an RV propane regulator replacement.

Many motor homes have an electric solenoid valve which is connected to a Propane Detector inside the motorhome. A solenoid is just a valve that is operated electronically. If there is no power to the solenoid or the propane detector, the solenoid will not open and allow the propane to flow. The most common cause for this is no power to the solenoid or propane detector due to a dead battery or a disconnected or broken wire. You can certainly replace or recharge a battery but if you have a wiring problem you may consider letting a pro fix it for you.

The propane system is such an essential part of your RV that it is important to take the time to learn about it and all of your propane appliances too. The more you know, the better your chances for fixing a problem and staying safe at the same time.

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Here at The Country Hearth we fill propane tanks… I mean, after all, that is a big portion of what we do. We fill anything from 5 lb, to 100 lb tanks each and everyday, and I thought I would let you in on a little secret that has a TON of people coming in….. for no reason at all…

The tank is full but when  hooked up, nothing happens. The customer thinks the tank is empty and wastes time and gas to come see us, only to have us tell them they have a…

So here’s what ‘lock out’ means. All residential LP tanks (as mandated by the federal goverment in 2001) have a protection device that is part of the valve system. This will literally LOCK YOU OUT of your propane tank for safety reasons (i.e. propane goes BOOM).