SECTION 5
LP GAS SYSTEM
5-4
methyl alcohol in your tank (approximately one
once to 20 pounds or one pint to 100 gallons) to
help guard against regulator freeze-ups.
In very cold weather when a large volume of
gas is being used for heating, it is possible to ex-
perience a loss of gas pressure. At first, this prob-
lem may appear to be caused by a regulator
freeze-up, but is actually caused by failure of the
liquid gas to vaporize as fast as it is needed. As
the temperature becomes colder, it is increasingly
harder for the liquid LP gas to “boil-off” into a
vapor. At the same time, the demand for LP to
produce heat increases to the point where the sys-
tem cannot maintain production.
The only actual solution to this problem is to
reduce the consumption of gas where possible.
Adjusting the temperature on the gas/electric re-
frigerator may be a first step. Using less hot water
will help as well.
LP GAS LEAKS
The following label has been placed in the ve-
hicle near the range area. If you smell gas within
the vehicle, quickly and carefully perform the
procedures listed.
LP GAS ALARM
- See page 1-2.
WINTER USE OF LP GAS
Because of the vaporization characteristics of
LP gas, it is important for the winter camper to
know how to use the LP system most efficiently.
The colder the temperature, the slower LP will
vaporize. Also, the less liquid in the tank, the
slower it will vaporize. So a nearly empty tank in
freezing temperatures can create a problem. Pro-
pane will convert to a usable gas at temperatures
down to -44
°
F, so it is a common heating fuel in
cold climates. However, even propane vaporizes
slower as the temperature becomes colder.
The greater the amount of liquid gas in the
tank (up to the 80% level) the greater the amount
of LP gas vapor generated. The following is an
example of the number of BTU’s available from
an 84-pound tank at 0
°
F at three levels. As you
can see, the number of BTU’s decreases as the
tank is emptied. Nearly twice as many BTU’s are
available from a full tank than one that is one-
fourth full.
BTU’s Available at 0
°
F.
Tank Level
BTU’s
80%
64,000
50%
50,400
20%
33,000
The following LP Gas Vaporization and Tem-
perature Relationship chart typifies the LP gas
loss with a decrease in temperature. The percent-
age figures are the increase or decrease of vapor
that would be available at 0
°
F. These figures ap-
ply to any size LP gas tanks.
Percentage of BTU’s
Temperature
Available at 0
°
F.
20
°
F.
200%
10
°
F.
150%
0
°
F.
100%
-5
°
F.
75%
-10
°
F.
50%
-15
°
F.
25%
-20
°
F.
12 1/2%
-44
°
F.
Propane will
not vaporize
IF YOU SMELL GAS
1.
Extinguish any open flames, pilot lights and all
smoking materials.
2.
Do not touch electrical switches.
3.
Shut off the gas supply at the tank valve(s) or gas
supply connection.
4.
Open doors and other ventilating openings.
5.
Leave the area until odor clears.
6.
Have the gas system checked and leakage source
corrected before using again.
