5 Rules For Using Propane

May 7, 2009

as appeared in May 09 RV Handyman Club

Propane gauge/leak detectors
Propane gauge/leak detectors can help you leak check your propane system. Detector shown available from Camping World.

LP-gas (also known as propane) plays a very large role in our comfort and convenience while RVing.

Because propane is likely the least understood — and most intimidating — fuel we use, some basic knowledge can provide additional safety and peace of mind.

Rule 1: Test the electronic leak detector function in your RV according to the manufacturer’s test procedures. Propane is colorless and odorless at the refinery, but it is mixed with a very pungent odor agent that is immediately recognizable — something like the smell of rotten eggs.

Rule 2: If you detect this telltale odor inside your RV, get out — and fast. Leave the door open, shut off the propane at the tank or cylinder, and allow the gas to dissipate. A qualified RV repair facility should perform a pressure-drop leak check. Likewise, if propane odor is detected outside the vehicle, shut off the supply and arrange for a pressure-drop leak check.

Leaks can be located by using a soapy mixture of water and hand dishwashing soap, applying the solution to joints and fittings with a small paintbrush, while watching for bubbles that indicate a leak. Wipe the soap away after the check, repair fittings as necessary and recheck. It’s also possible to have a dial manometer permanently installed in your system.

Rule 3: During the tank or cylinder filling process, eliminate any source of ignition. Turn off all propane appliances (including stove, refrigerator and hot-water tank) so flames are out and that all re-igniters are off. The same cautions should be used before gasoline refueling.

Rule 4: Overfilling of propane tanks and cylinders was a serious problem many years ago, but has been largely corrected by the inclusion of overfill protection devices (OPDs) inside tanks and cylinders. OPDs have been used in RV tanks for decades, and in all portable cylinders since 1998.
You can check for an overfill situation by opening the outage valve. If it blows a white mist, it’s more than 80 percent full. If it blows a clear vapor, then it’s less than 80 percent. If it’s an intermittent white mist and vapor, it’s right at 80 percent. This vapor space (20 percent) is a safety cushion for a full tank or cylinder, allowing room inside for wide fluctuations in ambient temperature that cause expansion or contraction of the liquid fuel.

Rule 5: If you see soot or the furnace becomes noisier than usual, or the appliance is not performing normally, then contact a qualified technician. The problem could be caused by a number of maladies, including system pressure or insect nests in a venturi, or a blockage in the vent.

And here’s one more rule: enjoy your RV travels while appreciating the huge impact propane has on your comfort and convenience when it is handled properly.

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