Table of Contents
Advertisement
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. Bonle'
% 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. Bottle multiply x 1.40
The chart clearly shows how the availability of the
gas is reduced at lower .temperatures. With this in
.mind, keep YO'ur LP tank as full as possible during
'coldweather. Check the BTU/hnatingplates on your
"lPappliances.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 ANDIOR
PERMANENTLY MOUNTED LP-GAS CON-
TAINERS. WHEN NOT INDIVIDUALLY TURNED
OFF. AUTOMATIC IGNmON APPLIANCES MAY
CONTINUE TO SPARK WHEN LP GAS IS TURN-
ED OFF AT THE CONTAINER. DO NOT FILL LP
GAS CONTAINERS TO MORE THAN 80% OF
CAPACITY.
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 or before each trip. Always
check the system any time you detect a garlic' like
odor.
34
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 visu,al 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 LlNE'AND BRASS FITTINGS. IF THE
'LEAK CANNOT BE LOCATED. TAKE THE UNIT
TO'AN LPGASSERVICEREPRESENTATIVE.
,Keep ',the 'tank valve closed and turnoff 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.
LPG LEAK DETECTOR
A permanently installed LP gas leak detector is
located near the floor in the galley area. The unit con-
tains an alarm that will sound alerting you to the
presence of low levels of potentially dangerous LP
gas that may have been released due to a range top
or oven burner flame loss. a gas piping leak, or an
incorrectly adjusted appliance burner. The unit will
also disconnect the gas supply at the LP tank when
it senses LP or similar gases.
The detector unit is powered by the l2-volt DC
system in your motor home. A power switch is
located on the panel. A green light on the detector
front panel indicates that the detector has power.
If the power switch is OFF. gas flow from the tank
is cut off by a special solenoid valve located at the
tank.
Test the leak detector each time the motor home
is relocated and set up for use.
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Troubleshooting
