Coachmen RV Viking, Owner'S Manual

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15
CLIMATE DIFFERENCES
The appliances will not function if the LP gas does not vaporize.
Butane will not vaporize below 32°F (the freezing point of water),
but propane will continue to vaporize down to -44°F. Propane has
become the main type of LP gas used in RV’s in recent years. Your
LP supplier will have the correct type or blend for your locale. If your
travels will take you into an area where climate differs, ask your LP
dealer for his recommendations. The names of LP suppliers can be
found in the yellow pages of your telephone directory under “Gas-
Liquefied Petroleum - Bottled and Bulk.” Many campgrounds now
have LP gas fill facilities as do some service stations.

!
WARNING!
LP GAS LINE CHECK
Always check the gas line connection after each refill and
inspect other connections regularly, at least every 30 days or 5,000
miles of travel. To check, turn off all burners and pilot lights. Open
all doors and windows. Open the LP gas bottle service valve and
use soapy water, a bubble solution or approved leak detector to test
all line connections. Do not use products that contain ammonia or
chlorine. Bubbles indicate a leak. Tighten the connections with two
open-end wrenches until bubbles stop. If leak persists, contact your
Viking dealer.
FILLING THE LP GAS BOTTLE
Before removing an LP gas bottle, be certain ALL burners and
pilot lights are off. Close the service valve and turn the green
knob on gas hose counter-clockwise to disconnect the hose from
the tank valve. NOTE: NO TOOLS REQUIRED TO DISCONNECT THE
NEW ACME PIGTAIL FROM THE VALVE. To remove empty LP gas
bottles, loosen the bottle clamp and slide the bottle up and out of
the bracket. TRANSPORT EMPTY LP GAS BOTTLES IN AN UPRIGHT
POSITION!
Take your bottles to an authorized LP supplier for filling. He will
connect the fill nozzle to the gas line connector. The Service valve
and the 20% vapor level gauge must be open. Filling should be
stopped as soon as liquid appears at the liquid level gauge. Close
the Service valve or the 20% gauge; they are designed to be closed
leak-tight by hand. If you cannot hand-tighten properly, the valve
may need repair or replacement.
A warning label has been located near the LP gas container. This
label reads:
DO NOT FILL CONTAINER(S) TO MORE THAN 80
PERCENT OF CAPACITY.
Overfilling the LP gas container can result in uncontrolled gas
flow which can cause fire or explosion. A properly filled container
will contain approximately 80% of its volume as liquid LP gas.
Avoid overfilling by insisting that the LP gas bottle is never filled
beyond 80% of capacity. If the bottle is over-filled, have the LP gas
dealer bleed out the excess. Over-filling does not allow sufficient
space for the liquid to expand. This can produce excessive pressure
which can cause LP gas leaks, creating potential fire or explosion.
hazard. DO NOT smoke, strike a match or ignite a lighter when
the LP gas bottle is being filled. A spark or flame could ignite
fumes.
Be certain all burner and pilot flames are out and the
Service valve is closed when filling your tow vehicle’s gasoline tank.
Reinstall a single bottle by placing it in the support brackets,
insert the bolt through the bracket. One nut should be tightened
until the ring is tight around the gas bottle, then a second nut
should be tightened against the first to prevent them from vibrating
loose. Reinstall a double bottle on the bottom support plate. Tighten
the spinner nut so the “T” bar holds both bottles in place. Reconnect
the gas line and check for leaks.
LP BOTTLE CARE
After each trip, inspect the LP gas bottle. Sand off traces of rust
and apply a rust preventative paint. When the LP gas system is not
in use, the Service valve should be closed.

!
WARNING!
LP Gas containers shall not be placed or stored
inside the vehicle. LP Gas containers are equipped
with safety devices which relieve excessive pressure
by discharging gas to the atmosphere.
REGULATOR PRESSURE
Each LP gas bottle, or pair of gas bottles, will have a regulator. If
you have double 20 lb. bottles, open only one bottle’s Service valve.
When the bottle is empty, close the Service valve and open the
other bottle. You can check the volume of LP gas by weighing the
bottle, comparing the known weight of an empty and filled bottle.
The Tare (empty) Weight is stamped on the LP gas bottle handle.
Also stamped on the bottle is its water capacity in pounds.
Multiply the Water Capacity by .42. The result will be the LP
capacity in pounds (allowing for the 20% vapor space). Add the LP
weight to the Tare Weight to get the total weight of filled bottle.
EXAMPLE:
If a 20 lb. bottle lists Tare Weight (TW) at 18 lbs. and Water
Capacity (WC) at 48 lbs., the weight of the bottle when filled with LP
to 80% of its capacity will be 38 lbs. (48 x 42 - 20.16 or 20 lbs. or
LP 18 lbs. plus 20 lbs. = 38 lbs.).
LP Gas regulators must always be installed with the diaphragm
vent facing downward. Regulators that are not in compartments
have been equipped with a protective cover. Make sure that
regulator vent faces downward and that cover is kept in place
to minimize vent blockage which could result in excessive gas
pressure causing fire or explosion.
Check the LP gas regulator at the beginning of each season, or
whenever a problem is indicated. Correct line pressure is 11 inches
of water column. Your Viking Dealer or LP gas supplier can perform
this check.