Vandwellers Forum

surfcam · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:41 pm Post subject: Butane

I'm having a bit of a bad day or should I say a challenge. My propane block heater wouldn't light this week. The pilot light would come on but when I let off the red button the burner and pilot light wouldn't stay lit. I notice the burner was a little meek. So I started looking at the regulator. I have a three way valve to switch from a 20lb. auxiliary tank and big main tank. I didn't have any problem bleeding off the line to the main tank. But the line to the auxiliary is spewing out liquid. I no I filled that tank in Oregon not Canada. I'm thinking that tank got fill with part or a lot of butane not propane. Propane is liquid state at -52F and butane is at 32F. It's about 20F outside right now. Am I being cynical or what.
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tvme · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:03 am Post subject:

You're not being cynical.

I've read of others having a problem with this type of thing on "fulltimer" sites. Their conclusion is that what is sold as "propane" is often a blend of butane and propane. Most often the suspect fuel was purchased in Mexico or at least the Southern half of the US. Others seem to think the "blend" changes with the seasons even in northern states.

The other possibility is that you are drawing propane from the smaller tank too quickly. As the liquid propane in that tank evaporates it cools the remaining propane (or the propane/ butane mix), the tank, and regulator. At normal temperatures and flow rates this isn't a problem. I have had this problem trying to run 150,000 BTU and larger construction heaters from small tanks.

Can you only draw from the larger tank until spring?

Bob

surfcam · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:20 am Post subject:

The three way valve is leaking so I took it off and I'm looking for a replacement. That's when I got hit with all the liquid in the line going to the 20lb auxiliary tank. I just finish burning all the propane or butane off the system with my stove. I didn't think there would be much in the line going to the 20lb tank. I think I will make a point of using the 20lb tank this spring. Ya I should be alright using the big tank. I really hate propane leaks. Ever since my friend blew this camper right off this truck with a propane leak. I'm always going over my lines a fittings with soapy water at least once a year. Orifices in the frig is suppose to be cleaned once a year as well. If its not keeping the food cold on the hot days that could be way. I've never clean my furnace orifice but I'm thinking it my need clean as well. Its a electronic baby and only three years old.
_________________
4BTA 3.9 Cummins Stepvan
86 GTI gas
86TD Golf
91TD Jetta
http://www.antiquedollhouseofpatterns.com/