Filling Lp Gas Tanks; Lp Gas System Leak Checks - Fleetwood Southwind 1994 Manual

The chart clearly shows how the availability of the gas is
reduced at lower temperatures. With this in mind, keep
your LP tank as full as possible during cold weather.
Check the BTU/hr rating plates on your LP gas appli-
ances. This information will help you manage your LPgas
requirements efficiently.
LP gas systems can and do freeze up in very cold
weather. It is a common misconception that the regulator
or the gas itself freezes. Actually, it is moisture or water
vapor that gets trapped in the system or absorbed by the
gas that freezes and causes the problem. This ice can
build up and partially or totally block the gas supply.
There are a number of things you can do to prevent
freeze up:
20 lb. Tank'
% FULL
+
20° 0°
_5°
-10°
-15°
60%
36,000 18,000 12,750 8,500 4,250
50%
32,400 18,200 12,150 8,100 4,050
40% 28,800 14,400 11,400 7,600 3,800
30%
25,200 12,600 10,450 7,300 3,150
20%
21,600 10,800 8,100 5,400 2,700
10% 16,200 8,100 6,075 4,050 2,025
.. ,
~30
lb. Tank multiply x 1.40
1. Be sur'il the gas tank is totally moisture-free
before
it
isfilled.lfyou are not sure, have an LP
service station inject an approved antifreeze or
deicer into the tank.
2. Be sure the tank is not overfilled. This is also a
safety consideration.
3. Have the gas tank purged by the LP gas service
station if freeze up occurs.
4. Be sure you have the proper gas blend for your
traveling area. If you have the proper gas
blend, it is very unlikely that the gas is at fault.
If, despite precaution, you do experience freeze up, ask
your LP gas supplier to service the tank or regulator as
required.
FILLING LP GAS TANKS
To fill the chassis-mounted storage tank, drive the vehicle
to an LP gas supplier or a service station which sells LP
gas. Do not attempt to fill the tank yourself.
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WARNING
TURN OFF LP GAS MAIN VALVE BEFORE
FILLING LP GAS TANK OR ENTERING AN LP
GAS BULK PLANT OR MOTOR FUEL SER-
VICE STATION.TURN OFF ALL PILOT LIGHTS
AND APPLIANCES INDIVIDUALLY BEFORE
REFUELING OF MOTOR FUEL TANKS ANDI
OR LP GAS CONTAINERS. WHEN NOT INDI-
VIDUALLY TURNED OFF, AUTOMATIC IGNI-
TION APPLIANCES MAY CONTINUE TO
SPARK WHEN LP GAS IS TURNED OFF AT
THE CONTAINER.
WARNING
DO NOT FILL LP GAS CONTAINERSTO MORE
THAN 80% CAPACITY. OVERFILLING CAN
RESULT IN UNCONTROLLED GAS FLOW
WHICH CAN CAUSE FIRE AND EXPLOSION.
A PROPERLY FILLED CONTAINER HOLDS
ABOUT 80% OF ITS VOLUME AS LIQUID.
LP GAS SYSTEM LEAK CHECKS
The smell of LP gas (actually. an additive, ethyl
mercaptan) indicates a leak. Obvious leak sources are
fittings, valves and couplings.
For your safety, check for leaks In your gas system each
time the tank is filled and before each trip. Always check
the system any time you detect a garlic-like odor. Listen
for a sustained hiss or hum when you turn the gas on. This
may indicate a leak.
The first time you have your LP tank filled, have the
serviceman bleed a little LP gas out of the small outage
valve. (this also lets you check that the bottle is not
overfilled) and note the odor for future reference. A small
number of people cannot smell this odor; if you are one
of these you must take extra care In checking for leaks,
as well as whenever you use LP gas appliances.
To perform a leak check, swab a mixture of a non-
ammoniated, non-chlorinated soap solution or an ap-
proved leak detection solution over each fitting, joint and
connection in the system. Open the tank service valve.
Inspect each jOint. If even the smallest bubbles appear at
any joint, this joint must be re-made. Refer repairs to an
authorized Fleetwood service center or your LP gas
service facility. Never attempt to repair gas piping without
proper tools and know-how.
Potential trouble spots for leaks are areas where piping
runs close to chassis and frame members. Look for
chafes and cracks around pipe hangers. If you find
defects in any LP gas system component, have it re-
paired or replaced before using the system.