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P R O P A N E
I N F O R M A T I O N
FOR A VINTAGE CAMPER __________________________________________ Please read our DISCLAIMER First,
and
foremost, you must respect 'propane' as it is a powerful gas that is
under pressure. Please know what you are doing before you begin
to mess around with any propane item whether it is the tank, regulator
or any appliance. The best advice I can give, is if you are not
knowledgeable or experienced with propane, then hire an expert or
someone who is knowledgeable to do the necessary work.
In a vintage camper you may have a propane stove and/or oven, light, furnace and possibly small appliance that you use. Please read the instructions for these items before attempting to work on them. If you do not have the instructions or a manual, you may be able to find them on line or on a vintage camper web site. On our web site, you can check FURNACE TIPS, REFRIGERATOR MANUAL, and SCOTTY MANUALS. These have some information concerning propane. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
This information concerning a propane stove is from Steve: " First, check that you have gas in the tank. Scotty stoves seem to be set low perhaps to prevent the stove from getting too hot and melting the counter top. Nevertheless, I've had a similar problem with several gas appliances (stove, grill, fridge) at our homestead in the Trans Pecos Chihuahuan Desert. Seems mud wasps and other little beasties like to make their homes in the tiny orifice where the gas comes out from the regulator into the tube that leads to the burner. This hole is really tiny and any obstruction can cause trouble. Turn off the gas and disconnect the tank. Locate and remove the orifice plug from the gas line assembly (usually metric) where it enters the gas tube to the burner (there is a small gap here for combustion air to enter, sometimes covered with screens (check the screens and tube for obstructions). Clean out the tiny hole in the orifice plug with soapy water then solvent and compressed air (Never use a wire or other pokey thing as it can damage the walls of the tiny orifice). Dry and observe that the hole is thoroughly clear. Reassemble the whole thing, turn on the gas, check for leaks upstream from and around the regulator then try the burner. Yellow flame at first indicates crud and dust is passing out the burner with the gas and should stop shortly. It yellow persists, it indicates not enough combustion air is present to the mixing chamber before the burner, probably because the screens are still dirty or the sliding air adjustment (if any) is too far closed. Replacement parts (if needed) should be available from a propane or RV dealer. If the flame is still too low it indicates the regulator is set too low. Some regulators are adjustable to a small extent, others are not and will need to be replaced. Have fun. Steve " ______________________________________________________________________________________________
What Steve has discussed above is quite common on propane appliances as spiders, etc get in the lines, etc and cause problems. As far as checking for leaks, people have advised using soapy water at fittings and connections to see if there are any leaks. This is a product called Propane Leak Detector - Spray On, ...  Detect A Leak - Spray on Propane and other gas leak tester. Detects leaks in anything that can be tested for air or gas pressure. Spray on and look for bubbles. 2 oz. spray on can. This would be similar to using soapy water. Probably
the best way would be to use a line pressure tester. This is what
a professional would use to determine if there are any leaks from the
regulator to the appliance. I found a portable kit that is priced
at around $50.00. Low Pressure Gas Test Kit - NOTE: This is a LOW
PRESSURE tester. It should be used downstream of a
regulator. I found this kit at Vintage
Trailer
Supply for $34.95 plus shipping. Below is a picture and
info for this kit:
Now you can check the pressure in your trailer's propane system without taking your trailer to a gas technician. You'll be able to know immediately whether you have a problem like a line leak, a line restriction, incorrect regulator delivery pressure or a regulator lock-up or leakage. * Gauge reads 0 to 35 water column inches * Gauge also reads 0 to 20 oz./in2 * 36” long rubber tube – 1/4” rubber tight-fit tip * Shock proof plastic case with hinged cover
* 2” dial
* Usable for natural gas or LPG As always, you can EMAIL ME any information or ides you may have and I will add them to the page; if applicable. Good luck. . . __________________________________________________________ Web page created by Larry Bush: March 30.2009 --- Edited: 5. 12. .2009 Serro Scotty ~ Vintage Campers © All Rights Reserved _________________________________ |