Purging Propane Line

[Winmon]

Just got my Mr Heater Bigg Maxx installed and am now trying to fire it up. Does anyone know of a way to purge a new gas line? It does have quite a bit of distance to go but I am thinking it should not take that long, but it is....

 

[larry4406]

For purging the line, literally just open the valve slowly and let it bleed to the atmosphere. Even short lines take longer than you would think. On my new house, i had to purge the dryer and furnace lines for several minutes. the propane has an oderant, so close the valve when you get a strong smell. Even then, the line won't be completely purged. The appliance should ignite but the flames will be slightly orange in color due to the air/propane mix in the line. Let the appliance run and it will purge out the rest.

obvisously, when purging, don't have open flames, hot spots, be well ventilated, wait, etc.. no warranty expressed or implied.

 

[mjribeiro]

I had about 30 feet of line, just opened the valve till I smelled some. Let that clear the room for 15 minutes, and then fired up the heater. For the first 5 minutes it sputtered as it worked any air pockets out of the line - but it was fairly painless....

 

[Winmon]

Well, I must have some other issue because I had the valve at the heater open for about 30 minutes and never did smell propane. Wondering now if the plumber used the wrong size pipe from the propane tank to the heater location. Wonder if I am getting too much of a pressure drop?

 

[mjribeiro]

Well, I must have some other issue because I had the valve at the heater open for about 30 minutes and never did smell propane. Wondering now if the plumber used the wrong size pipe from the propane tank to the heater location. Wonder if I am getting too much of a pressure drop?

Make sure your heater isn't keeping it closed. If my heater isn't 'on' or trying to be on, gas won't flow. I think there's a valve in the regulator. Try unhooking the heater from the pipe.

 

[Winmon]

Make sure your heater isn't keeping it closed

Oh ya, it was. The instructions were kind of vague. It said to first turn off the heater valve, wait 5 minutes for any gases to disapate, turn the gas valve on, then turn up the thermostat. Well, since the instructions never said to turn on the MAIN inlet gas valve (located on the gas line just prior to going into the heater), when they said to turn the valve on, I assumed they meant this one. Well no, what they meant was the HEATERS valve!! Duhhhhhh....Well it is working now and already up to a toasty 70*. Nice!!!

Thanks for the help....