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| Re: [GMCnet] Propane safety was Jim and Marlys Coach Pictures [message #82820 is a reply to message #82800] |
Sun, 02 May 2010 19:19   |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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G'day,
I agree with Emery.
I have a 2 way (120 VAC & LPG) Dometic fridge in Double Trouble. I just
checked the Camping World website and it is still available. I then checked
the on line manual for it and it does not say to turn it and the LPG off
when the vehicle is underway. Furthermore considering today's litigious
society I can't understand why a company would make a 2 way fridge if
driving it with it running and the LPG on was dangerous.
When I was getting Double Trouble ready for our first tour at Ken Frey's
shop I inspected all the lines carefully for signs of chafing, stress at the
bends, and cracks. I disassembled the flared joints, slid the nuts up the
line, and checked the start of the flair at the line. When I re-assembled
the lines I was careful not to over-tighten the flare nuts. IIRC the rule of
thumb is finger tight plus 1/4 turn (or is 1/8 turn - you better look that
up)! I then leak checked the entire system with bubble soap. I checked the
LPG system again last year (didn't disassemble the flares) when I got Double
Trouble ready for our tour and will continue to do so each year.
Having said all this I do note that in the 1977 GMC Motorhome Operating
Manual (X-7721A) on page 5 it reads:
DRIVER CHECK LIST
BEFORE ENTERING VEHICLE
4. Turn off LP gas valve on LP tank (See CAUTION under CAUTION under "LP Gas
System" in SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE section).
BEFORE DRIVING OFF
8. Be sure all LP gas controls on furnace, range/oven, and gas/electrical
refrigerator (if so equipped) are turned off.
Page 95/96 - LP GAS SYSTEM
CAUTION
It is recommended that you travel with your LPG system off. All pilots and
burners should be turned off and the control valve on the LPG tank should be
off. This should be done whenever the vehicle will not be in use. This
reduces the hazard of leaking gas.
BOTTOM LINE FOR ME:
I believe the preventative maintenance steps I take make driving with the
LPG on an acceptable risk.
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Emery Stora
Sent: Monday, 3 May 2010 7:34 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Propane safety was Jim and Marlys Coach Pictures
This subject has been on the net a few times times in the past and people
seem to be somewhat divided on this issue. I have owned 4 motorhomes over
the last 42 years (my GMC now for 29 years) and I have used my propane while
driving to power the refrigerator, stove and the furnace with all of them.
The flammable range of the air / propane ratio required for combustion is
fairly narrow. With too little air it will not ignite and the same goes for
too much air - so I feel that propane is very safe. It also has the odor
added so even a very small leak is quickly recognized.
However, gasoline has a very wide range of flammability and is much more
dangerous than propane and we sure do drive our GMCs while have full tanks
of gasoline. However, I don't see anyone suggesting that we turn off our
gasolline while we drive! Are you also planning to turn off your propane
while parked and sleeping at night? Good luck keeping warm in the winter.
One should, however, check the propane lines and fittings periodically for
leaks. I use a commercial leak detector solution which I purchased at a
hardware store (I think Lowe's also sells it). It is basically a soap
solution but will detect very tiny leaks and is also not corrosive as soap
might be. I try to check my lines in the spring and just before winter.
The refrigerator runs much better on propane than electric (assuming that
you have a two way or three way -- propane and 120 volt or 12 volt). The
furnace is almost essential if you have people riding in the rear in the
cold of winter. I used to travel with 4 kids and the furnace was needed to
keep the back end warm.
I still will continue to use my propane while enroute.
At first several people were blaming the muffler for the Jim and Marlys
coach file. Now it seems that some are figuring that the propane did it. I
would suggest that speculators wait until their insurance inspector gets
finished determining the possible cause before jumping to conclusions.
--
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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