Chinook RV

If your propane tank is "Catalog number 6820," I can save you a call. I contacted Manchester again to get the part number for the 80% fill stop valve (this is the yellow cap, outer valve, and inner float). It's Manchester's part number V20072. Sadly, this is not the one that's readily available on Amazon, RV internet parts stores, etc. (that would be the V13414). I re-contacted Manchester to double check, but no, it's the V20072. They said they definitely have it/make it still, but since there are lots of different valves, it has to be ordered most likely. So I contacted an RV parts place and they are going to see about getting one and get back to me about it. I'm not sure yet, but I think the float on this valve may have gone awry in my tank, which is why it will no longer fill all the way (all the way to 80% that is).

I did get a caution from the Manchester employee, which was to have the tank dropped and rolled so the valves are on top before replacing this. Reason being that the float on the fill can otherwise "flop over" and catch on the float for the gauge (which, btw, is part number G12634). I have read of a number of people replacing these valves without dropping the tank, so I think my approach would be as follows:

1) Use blocks to tilt RV toward driver's side as much as possible.

2) Go carefully to try to "feel" if float is hung up.

3) If not too expensive, just order the gauge float as well to have on hand in case they do tangle.

Naturally the Manchester person thought this was a horrible plan, but to my mind the worst that can happen is that you have to.... drop the tank. Which is not much worse than dropping it in the first place (although possibly with added gauge float, but then you'd have a new one). On the other hand, if the float does NOT get hung up (or if the gauge float is not too expensive), you have a reasonable chance to not drop the tank. Also, since I'm pretty sure my fill float is out of position (why the tank won't fill), how do I know that putting the tank "upright" is the right way? If the float is sideways or something, it's all a guess anyway.

Of course I'm not sure yet if I even have a bum fill float (will find out soon). But figured I'd see if I could get a bead on the parts just in case, especially if they may have to be ordered. Note that the part numbers above are from Manchester for the "Cat #6820" tank, which may not be in all Chinooks.

Side note is that the tank would have to be purged after this repair, as it would have been exposed to open air (as when new).

Another update:

Normally, I'd just wait till I had all the information at hand before posting, but since Skillet may be on the same hunt at the same time (if you have the same tank, Skillet), I figured I'd update now.

So, as Skillet found out (if he has the same tank, that is), this fill valve (Manchester part number V20072) is not that easy to get. It IS still made and Manchester has them, but that's not the same as actually getting one!

I called the parts department of a large RV supply place (the part number did not come up on their online parts search). Got a helpful parts person, and they said they'd do some checking and get back to me. Couple hours later, this is what I've got.

1) The fill valve (V20072). They had to call their distributor, who then called Manchester, and got the same info I did. That's the right part number, and it is available from Manchester. But the distributor doesn't have it in their "system." So, the distributor has to put it in their system, which takes 24-48 hours. Once that happens, the parts person will get the info, establish their price, and contact me with the timing and the price.

2) The gauge float (G12634). This is a special order and takes two weeks to get from Manchester. Price is $87.33. Note that this is only the float not the whole gauge. I looked into this because apparently sometimes the fill valve's float can get hung up on the gauge float when removing/replacing the fill valve (risk apparently lessened if tank is dropped and rolled with ports upright).

I'll report back once I get the rest of the info. Will be interesting to see what the price is, since the more common one (same thing, but fits other tanks not ours) is about $80 and available on Amazon and bunches of other places.

This is a photo of the more common fill valve. This is not "ours," but rather is the ubiquitous one. Same idea though. You can see the float, which can potentially hang up on the gauge float (which is just to the left of it) when removing/replacing. I am suspecting that the float on my fill valve might be messed up, causing the tank to not fill all the way (the gauge works fine though). Not sure yet. Maybe I'll find out it was my imagination and all is fine (think I'll go fill tomorrow...). Sounds like that would be a nice outcome for the wallet!
PS: I did ask Manchester if the float was available separately, and they said no, it has to be replaced as a unit. (Now who knows what an "old timey" place that works with tanks and valves every day would say, but the float cannot be ordered separately.)

Blue~Go wrote:If your propane tank is "Catalog number 6820," I can save you a call. I contacted Manchester again to get the part number for the 80% fill stop valve (this is the yellow cap, outer valve, and inner float). It's Manchester's part number V20072. Sadly, this is not the one that's readily available on Amazon, RV internet parts stores, etc. (that would be the V13414). I re-contacted Manchester to double check, but no, it's the V20072. They said they definitely have it/make it still, but since there are lots of different valves, it has to be ordered most likely. So I contacted an RV parts place and they are going to see about getting one and get back to me about it

Yes, I have the same catalog number. So would you recommend that I have my RV dealer call Manchester and see how to get it? It sounds like you are saying Manchester can supply the part but it will have to be ordered by someone other than us from the public? You did a lot of great foot work and I definitely appreciate it. I was unable to make the call today because I was very busy at work. I was going to try again tomorrow. I still might since you have provided the part numbers and I will sound more intelligent when talking to them.

If you have the same number tank, then I don't see any reason for you to call Manchester. They'll tell you the exact same thing they told me (and the supplier who later called to double check) which is that the part is available, that the part number is the one I mentioned above, and that it needs to be ordered through a supplier. It's the classic (now somewhat old-fashioned) chain of supply where it has to go through manufacturer, supplier, dealer, customer.

I should have an answer within around 36 hours, if the supplier lives up to their word. At that point they'll call the RV place I contacted, the RV place will call me, and it will be available at X price, with X lead time. (They'll fill in the X'es when they call me.)

If you want to source it yourself through another dealer, then you can use that same part number (and they'll get it from a supplier who'll get it from Manchester...). I could see where maybe you want/need to do that since you are already working with someone. Otherwise if you want to wait for "my" information, you could then also order it from the same place (to ship to you). I'll post back here as soon as I have the "X's" filled in.

Blue, keep doing your update and I'll keep doing mine. I just spoke with Manchester and they gave me two additional suppliers to provide to my dealer. I'll list them here but as you already know, the public cannot order from them:
Land and Sea- (954)792-9971
Keller Marine- (570)374-8169

I hope this will help you or anybody else following this thread who will eventually have to have theirs replaced. My RV dealer is on it now and hopefully will give me some good results soon.

Latest update as of a couple hours ago, my RV dealer said they were contacted by the original supplier and has a part on the way. 7 - 10 days and it will cost $89. Now it's just a matter of waiting for them to let me know when it is in for them to do the work.

Excellent! So glad to hear you have a valve on the way now. And if I get quoted a much higher price.... good to know yours. Interestingly, that's around the same price as the "common" Manchester valve is on Amazon. I was wondering if they'd charge much more for this "special" one.

This thread should be a good resource for future - glad you are adding data.

Well, my part came in and tomorrow I'm scheduled to get it installed. I asked them to also fill the propane tank and with those 2 things, I was told the price should be in the neighborhood of $110. More updates tomorrow evening...

Repair done and I'm holding propane again. They did use part V20072, as listed on the bill. That cost was $99.20 and I needed a gas cap (never had one) and that was surprisingly $14.41. I was expecting a couple dollars. I asked them to fill the tank and that was another $59.53. Labor was $25.
Now, the next thing is to test the fridge. When I got it back from the recall it wouldn't work on propane or electric. It worked fine prior. So I'm running it on electric over-night plugged into my house and will be checking on it in the morning. Then I'll switch over and see if it maintains it. They said it's working fine, but I don't want to find out on a trip that it's not.

Uhh.. Is that normal price for a full up of propane in your parts? Good old Texas is $2-$3 a gallon (average refil being 7-8 gallons.. I know the tanks are rated for more, but they won't fill them full)