Using Lp Gas At Low Temperatures; Filling Lp Gas Tank; Lp Gas System Leak Cbecks - Fleetwood Jamboree 1991 Manual

USING LP GAS SYSTEM
AT LOW TEMPERATURES
Your LP gas system will function at low temperatures,
provided the system components are kept at a tempera-
ture above the vapor point of the LP gas. Ask your LP
gas supplier or your motor home dealer for information
on product blends available in your area and the areas
in which you will be traveling.
The following chart shows the reduction in available
BTU's/hour under various fill levels as the temperature
drops:
The chart clearly shows how the availability of the gas is
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
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 LP
gas requirements efficiently.
LP gas systems can and do freeze up in very cold
weather. It is a common misconception that the regula-
tor 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:
1. Be sure the gas tank is totally moisture-free
before it is filled. If you are not sure, have an
LP service station inject an approved anti-
freeze 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.
31
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 ve-
hicle to an LP gas supplier or a service station which
sells LP gas. Do not attempt to fill the tank yourself.
WARNING
TURN OFF LP GAS MAIN VALVE BEFORE
FILLING LP GAS TANK OR ENTERING AN
LP GAS BULK PLANT OR MOTOR FUEL
SERVICE STATION. TURN OFF ALL PILOT
LIGHTS AND APPLIANCES INDIVIDUALLY
BEFORE REFUELING OF MOTOR FUEL
TANKS AND/OR LP GAS CONTAINERS.
WHEN NOT INDIVIDUALLY TURNED OFF,
AUTOMATiC IGNITION APPLIANCES MAY
CONTINUE TO SPARK WHEN LP GAS IS
TURNED OFF AT THE CONTAINER.
WARNING
DO NOT FILL LP GAS CONTAINERS TO
MORE THAN 80% CAPACITY. OVERFILLING
CAN RESULT IN UNCONTROLLED GAS
FLOW WHICH CAN CAUSE FIRE AND EX-
PLOSION. A PROPERLY FILLED CON-
TAINER HOLDS ABOUT '80% OF ITS VOL-
UME 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 odorforfuture reference.Asmall
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-