System - Airstream Excella 500 1973 Owner's Manual

L.E G. System
Your Airstream is equipped with two tanks
for LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas). LPG burns
with a clean blue flame and produces more
heat than natural gas. There are two basic
types of LPG in common usage: Butane and
Propane. Butane is widely used where temper¬
atures are normally above freezing the year
round and Propane is used where subfreezing
temperatures are common, since Butane
freezes at 32°F as compared to -40°F for
Propane. All of the orifices in your Airstream
LPG appliances are of the universal type
which will bum either fuel.
How long a full tank of gas will last is
dependent on usage. In cold weather when
you are using the furnace, large amounts of
hot water, and are doing extensive cooking,
you will naturally use more than you will in
warm weather when you may do limited
cooking. On the average, with normal cooking
and other appliance use, you can probably
count on three weeks service from each 28-lb.
tank.
The Excella is equipped with an Automatic
Gas Regulator. Both tanks are connected to
this regulator and are turned on. Gas is drawn
from only one tank at a time and when the
tank being used is depleted the regulator
automatically switches to the full tank. An
indicator on the regulator points toward the
tank being used to give you a visual reminder
when one tank is empty. Additionally a tank
gauge is on each tank indicating fuel level.
The empty tank can be removed for refilling
without disturbing the tank being used.
Simply close the tank valve, disconnect it,
have it filled and reconnect.
To remove the gas tanks, disconnect the
tubing nut with a wrench and loosen the bar
handle which holds the tanks in place. The
tubing nut has a left hand thread so be sure to
always turn it clockwise to loosen and coun¬
terclockwise to tighten. When replacing a
tank, connect and tighten the tubing nut
before clamping it in place.
If you have allowed both tanks to run out, air
may have gotten into the lines. In this event,
the air must be forced out through the lines
by gas pressure before you will be able to
light the pilots. Hold a match to the pilot of
the appliance closest to the tanks until it
lights and stays lit. Then move to the next
closest, etc. For complete appliance operating
instructions, refer to pages 39-46.
Note: In some states it is illegal to leave the
gas tanks turned on while towing a trailer.
L.P.G. Tank Gauge
Automatic Gas Regulator
38