Filling Lp Gas Tanks; Lp Gas System Leak Checks - Fleetwood 1990 Owner's Manual

3. Keep the valve on an empty tank tightly closed.
4. Have the gas tank purged by the LP gas ser-
vice station if freeze up occurs.
5. Have the LP service station inject an approved
antifreeze or deicer into the tank. 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,
try melting the ice by warming the regulator using
a small light bulb. DO NOT USE AN OPEN FLAME.
Once flow is restored, make certain that the regulator
cover is properly reinstalled to prevent water from
entering the regulator which will cause it to freeze
again. If the problem persists, ask your LP gas sup-
plier to service the tank or regulator as required.
Aside from the possibilities of freezing during cold
temperatures, your LP gas system performance is af-
fected significantly as the temperature drops. The
liquid in the tank is, of course, much colder than the
air that normally surrounds the tank. The liquid in the
tank vaporizes by absorbing heat from the surroun-
ding air. But as the air temperature drops closer to
the temperature of the liquid in the tank, the liquid
doesn't vaporize as easily. Consequently, the BTU
value of the LP drops dramatically.
The following chart shows the reduction in BTU
availability of propane gas as the temperature falls:
20 lb. Tank'
% FULL
+20 0 0 0
-50
-10 0 -15 0
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
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 appliances. This information will help you manage
your LP gas requirements efficiently.
FILLING LP GAS TANKS
To fill the chassis-mounted storage tank, drive the
vehicle to an LP gas supplier or one of the service
stations which sell LP gas.
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 RE-
FUELING OF MOTOR FUEL TANKS AND/OR
34
PERMANENTLY MOUNTED LP-GAS CON-
TAINERS. WHEN NOT INDIVIDUALLY TURNED
OFF, AUTOMATIC IGNITION APPLIANCES MAY
C(>NTINUE TO SPARK WHEN LP GAS IS TURN-
ED OFF AT THE CONTAINER. DO NOT FILL LP
GAS CONTAINERS TO MORE THAN 80% OF
CAPACITY.
When your LPG tank is filled for the first time, make
sure that it is properly purged of air before adding
LPG. This will help prevent rust and help insure pro-
per system and appliance performance. Your LP gas
service facility should be familiar with this procedure.
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
~ouplings.
For your safety, check for leaks in your gas system
each time the tank is filled or before each trip. Always
check the system any time you detect a garlic-like
odor.
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 ser-
vice valve. Inspect each joint. If even the smallest
bubbles appear at any joint, this joint must be remade.
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 repaired or replaced before using the system.
As an added precaution, do a visual check of all
exposed piping and fittings after you have arrived at
a destination and before you use the LPG system.
Travel and road shocks may have caused damage
to the system that you will need to repair ·before us-
ing the appliances.
WARNING: NEVER CHECK FOR LEAKS WITH
AN OPEN FLAME. DO NOT CHECK COPPER
AND BRASS PLUMBING LINES AND FITTINGS
FOR LEAKS USING AMMONIATED OR
CHLORINATED HOUSEHOLD TYPE DETER-
GENTS. THESE CAN CAUSE CRACKS TO FORM
ON THE LINE AND BRASS FITTINGS. IF THE
LEAK CANNOT BE LOCATED, TAKE THE UNIT
TO AN LP GAS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE.
Keep the tank valve closed and turn off all ap-
pliances if the unit is not being used. WARNING: DO
NOT USE PLIERS OR A WRENCH TO TIGHTEN
VALVES. IF A VALVE IS NOT LEAK-TIGHT WHEN
CLOSED BY HAND, SEE AN LP GAS SERVICE
REPRESENTATIVE.