Newbie Furnace LP question

We just picked up our new to us 2011 2552 and we have a lot to learn, the previous owner did not know much about the systems as they did not use it much, and we are parked at an RV park I just checked the Propane tank light indicator behind the driver seat it reads Empty. Can I run the furnace for a short time until I get some Propane in the morning? Will running the furnace until the propane runs dry damage anything? and how accurate is the propane indicator I should have some residual in the tank right?

I ran out of propane on the way home from a long trip, just hours from home.  The fridge died as a result with no mechanical consequences.

Since you have 110V from the RV park, you have no need to worry about the fridge.  If I was in your predicament, I would use the furnace as needed until running out of propane, then fill up in the morning as planned.

Make sure the previous owner didn't leave a small cube 110v electric heater for RV park use.  Most owners carry one for just your situation, and just maybe they left one for you.

BTW, the propane indicator on our 2007 is quite inaccurate.  You just might have a lot more propane than you think.  It would make for a great experiment to see what is learned in the morning.

Thank you for your input, I do have a small electric heater and I will use that. I just did not want to damage the furnace. I am thinking it has an auto sensor turn off if the propane runs out

There is no need to worry about running out of propane.  The furnace has a flame detector and will shut off if there is no fire.  I think it tries three times and then errors out but that is likely model specific.  The only issue with running out of propane is getting all the appliances lit again.  One trick is to turn on the stove and use that to bleed the system because you can see when it lights.

I would take Ron's suggestion and use electric heat if available and save the propane for hot water.

We just picked up our new to us 2011 2552 and we have a lot to learn, the previous owner did not know much about the systems as they did not use it much, and we are parked at an RV park I just checked the Propane tank light indicator behind the driver seat it reads Empty. Can I run the furnace for a short time until I get some Propane in the morning? Will running the furnace until the propane runs dry damage anything? and how accurate is the propane indicator I should have some residual in the tank right?

I am somewhat familiar with all motor home systems; some more than others.  I have always been told and have read, that running the propane tank "dry" can cause problems with the lines by allowing air in the system.  The lines would need to be purged of air/bled.  I would not do it.

There will be others who are more knowledgeable on this blog who will reply and give you a more accurate answer. 

In the meantime, stay warm!

Cheers 

Barry T

Whoops!  I did not realize that some of our resident experts had replied.  Since we are on the subject...when not using my water heater, on propane, or the furnace for a long period of time (on my previous moho) I would need to ignite the stove for a short period to get everything back in working order.  However, what are the consequences of totally emptying the tank?  Is it as simple as bleeding the air through the stove top?

At the end of every RVing season, I close the propane tank valve.  Somehow during storage, air gets in the propane lines.

As other do, I bleed my propane line annually via lighting the stove top.  But even after doing so, the fridge will take many attempts to ignite with many "F" fault codes before a final ignition.  The hot water heater is also a bit finicky, but far less than the fridge.  I have never bled the line to the furnace via attempting to run it.  I just use it when needed which at times will take a few tries.  As with "everything propane" the first use of the season can take a few extra tries because of air in the line.

I always considered "Air In The Line" a normal part of RVing.  I just deal with it when it is present, and has never been a crisis situation.

As far as using up my propane tank until empty, I never thought that was a bad idea.  It may only introduce air in the line, making for more difficult appliance re-starts.

At the end of every RVing season, I close the propane tank valve.  Somehow during storage, air gets in the propane lines.

As other do, I bleed my propane line annually via lighting the stove top.  But even after doing so, the fridge will take many attempts to ignite with many "F" fault codes before a final ignition.  The hot water heater is also a bit finicky, but far less than the fridge.  I have never bled the line to the furnace via attempting to run it.  I just use it when needed which at times will take a few tries.  As with "everything propane" the first use of the season can take a few extra tries because of air in the line.

I always considered "Air In The Line" a normal part of RVing.  I just deal with it when it is present, and has never been a crisis situation.

Hey Ron,

I thought just us Southerners said "hot water heater".      How 'bout "hose pipe"?

Barry T

Agree with Ron.  There is no danger of harming anything by running out of propane.  But it can be a real pain to get the lines purged again.  Using the furnace to do this, intentionally or unintentionally, is really painful because the furnace will try to light, fail, and depending on the model retry a few more times before erroring out.  Then you either have to wait for it to reset or reset it manually again depending on model. 

Much easier to bleed using the stove which does not have the error checking.  But doing this requires a certain amount of common sense and caution, we are dealing with propane.

There is a more accurate gauge outside on the tank then those lights on the panel.

When switching over from electrical to gas, refrigerator false starts stopped when I remembered to turn the gas valve to [on] ~30 minutes before we disconnected from shore power.  Not sure why this works.  Although since beginning this practice we have never had a failed gas switch-over on the Norcold. (series N621). 

Hey Ron,

I thought just us Southerners said "hot water heater".      How 'bout "hose pipe"?

Barry T

I love hearing Southerners talk, saying a paragraph when a sentence would do.  My favorite example:  I say, "I puked".  My friend from down South says, "that just made me want to vomit on my patent leather shoes".  Our son now living in Canada, said "all y'all" and sent them in to fits of laughter.  I know this is totally OT but it's good we can entertain each other from all over the country- I'd love to hear some more☺.

Patti

Quote from: bftownes link=topic=3603.msg30948#msg30948

Hey Ron,

I thought just us Southerners said "hot water heater".      How 'bout "hose pipe"?

Barry T

I love hearing Southerners talk, saying a paragraph when a sentence would do.  My favorite example:  I say, "I puked".  My friend from down South says, "that just made me want to vomit on my patent leather shoes".  Our son now living in Canada, said "all y'all" and sent them in to fits of laughter.  I know this is totally OT but it's good we can entertain each other from all over the country- I'd love to hear some more☺.

Patti

Patti,

All my kin folk say "I puked".   If it were bad..."I puked my guts out".  The interesting thing in Tennessee is that vernacular can vary from west Tennessee, to middle Tennessee, to east Tennessee.  East Tennessee is probably more text book Southern.  Years ago, we moved from Nashville (middle Tennessee) to Knoxville (east Tennessee) and I actually had culture shock. 

God Bless America and God Bless Dixie!

Cheers

Barry T

Thank you all for your help and input, I will let you know how it goes after I fill the Propane tank. A small electric heater has been working well as we unpack our van which we drove down from Alaska via the ferry to BC and are slowly moving into the new to us coach.  Looks like we brought to much stuff. time to purge!!!

 Romstead,  you may also have a  ' heat-strip " heater up there in your air conditioner.    I think most PC's come with it.      That can be turned on, provided you're on Shore power ( or generator).    The controls  for it are up by the
A.C. controls,  at least on our 2006.        Keeps the rig  toasty down to about 45 outside degrees,  below that,  not so much.    We use it often instead of the furnace.     It does run continuously,  no thermostat control,  and is a
 bit noisy.    We don't even take a portable heater along.     

jim