Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 12:21:28 -0700
Reply-To: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject: Re: LP gas question--does this happen to you?
In-Reply-To: <006501c4edd1$21724060$4e09b83f@computer>
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Had to do some digging to find some tables I had
LPG doesnΉt mean propane. It stands for liquified petroleum gases. One
standard says at least 90 percent of the mix will be butane/propane.
The tables I was looking for is the dewpoint vs pressure vs temperature
tables for propane and butane.
With the pressure of the regulator (usually at about 9psi) if the butane mix
is greater than 40 percent you will initially have difficulty lighting in
the teens temperatures.
The small disposable bottles can be a difficulty in what percentages area
actually in them. You will find them labeled as camp fuel, cooking fuel,
butane, and propane. The standard supposedly is that if it states it is
propane then it is over 60 percent propane, and if it states butane it is
about 90 percent butane (US) not a formal standard. If it states cooking or
camping fuel and then just says LPG it can be any mixture that got put in
the bottle. I was told by a coleman rep that if it says camping fuel it is
normally higher propane than butane and if it says cooking fuel it is
usually mostly butane.
The other factor is that there is a small percentage of water in the mix as
well. Not sure if it would be enough to cause some frosting at the
regulator.
On 12/29/04 11:06 AM, "Gerald Masar" <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote:
> That's why some years ago, the small gas canisters for camping stoves/lanterns
> was
> changed to a propane/butane mix.
> Jerry
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Devere" <vwpub@ONWORDBOUNDBOOKS.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:17 AM
> Subject: Re: LP gas question--does this happen to you?
>
>
>> I love all these cold weather questions. It means I have something to
>> contribute : ). The propane won't light in extreme cold. I don't
>> understand the physics but I experienced it last year when winter camping.
>> The low was around -7F and that morning the stove refused to light. I tried
>> everything. Eventfully I used my whisper light camp stove to make coffee
>> and I placed it on the top of the westy stove after removing the stove
>> grill. The heat from the camp stove must have warmed the piping in the
>> westy stove because after the coffee was made I was able the light the stove
>> top and make a warm breakfast. I don't know why but it worked. I'm sure
>> glad I travel with a backpacking stove.
>> So in answer to your question: everything is fine with your propane
>> system it's just cold.
>>
>> Cheers-
>> Dave
>> Two Harbors MN
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Jim Felder" <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:38 AM
>> Subject: LP gas question--does this happen to you?
>>
>>
>>> A few days ago when it got down to the teens around here, I almost
>>> couldn't get the stove in my Westy lit;. I never got the gas heater
>>> going from the piezo starter, either, but then I didn't try very hard.
>>>
>>> There just didn't seem to be enough gas/pressure to support anything
>>> but a pilot flame.
>>>
>>> When the weather got into the 40s I tried it again and everything
>>> worked fine.
>>>
>>> I was wondering if this was common because I recently had the tank
>>> filled, and if it's not a common phenomenon I need to chase down the
>>> leak or regulator problem.
>>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>> Jim
>
>
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com
