Filling Lp Gas Tanks; Lp Gas System Leak Checks; Lighting Lp Gas Appliances - Fleetwood Tioga 1988 Owner's Manual

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
~he
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 Ib. Bottle"
% FULL +20· O·
,..6° '
-10· ,..16·
60%
36,000 18,000 12,750
8,500
4,250 '
',60% 32,400 18,200 12,150 8,100 4,050
40%
28,800 14,400 11,400 7,600 3,SOO
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. Sottle 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
AIilDAPPLIANCES INDIVIDUALLY BEFORE RE-
FUELING OF MOTOR FUEL TANKS AND/OR
PERMANENTLY MOUNTED LP-GAS CON-
TAINERS. WHEN NOT INDIVIDUALLY TURNED
OFF, AUTOMATIC IGNITION APPLIANCES MAY
, CONTINUE TO SPARK WHENLP GAS IS TURN-
,ED OFF AT THE CONTAINER. DO NOT FILLLP
GAS COIIITAINERS TO MORE THAN BO% 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
che,ck the system any time you detect a garlic-like
odor.
37
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 eventhe 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 afrived 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.
LP gas leak detectors are available that sense the
presence of LP gas and automatically sound an alarm.
You may want to consider this type of device as an
accessory add-on. They are available from most RV
accessory distributors.
LIGHTING LP GAS APPLIANCES
Detailed operating information for the LP appliances
can be found in your Owner's Information Package.
Please read and follow these instructions.
Air, trapped in the gas lines may delay the initial
lighting of any appliance. It could take several
seconds or minutes for the gas to reach the appliance.
To purge some of the air from the gas system, first
light a burner on the range. The other appliances will
then light more quickly.
ALWAYS FOLLOW THE APPLIANCE MANUFAC-
TURER'S LIGHTING AND OPERATING IN-
STRUCTIONS.