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Subject:Re: Need advice on replacing Westy tank filler valve
From:David McNeely
Date:Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:31:43 -0700

Some places in the U. S. won't fill them because they don't know how.

On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 6:29 PM, Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> Up here, propane filling stations are not suppose to fill tanks with
> conventional or Auto Stop valves … some still will, but more and more will
> not.
>
> > On 15-Mar-2017, at 21:51, The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM> wrote:
> >
> >> What's the best place to look for one?
> >
> > The original Westy tank was designed to take an Auto Stop valve, which
> had a safety feature that prevented the tank from being overfilled without
> user intervention.  Unfortunately Auto Stop Corporation went out of
> business years ago and the valve is no longer made.  A conventional fill
> valve can be fitted instead, and is generally available at RV dealerships
> or propane specialists. You would also need a manual bleed valve to screw
> into the bleeder connection next to the fill valve, and of course make sure
> to use it when filling. (If you already have a separate valve there,
> someone probably converted it already.)  As I understand it, technically a
> shop is not supposed to replace an Auto Stop valve with a conventional one
> because it defeats a safety feature that the tank was designed to have, and
> overfilling a tank can be extremely dangerous. (Our new replacement tanks
> are designed to accept a conventional valve, and that is what they come
> with.)  That being said, it is a relatively common modification.
> >
> > Ron Salmon
> > The Bus Depot, Inc.
> > www.busdepot.com
>