Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 13:51:01 -0700
Reply-To: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: propane explosion
In-Reply-To: <910205.36188.qm@web33502.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
The aroma of propane is pretty obvious, especially in
the confines of a closed-up van. When I reinstalled
the Westy interior I evidently did not adequately
tighten the connectors between the supply lines and
the cooktop/stove. Opened the tank valve and even
before I turned on the burner to test the smell was
immediately noticeable. Yeow!
Remember to tighten and leak-test all connections with
soapy water! This could have made for an unpleasant
trip this weekend.
Stephen
--- Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> A leak in the stove most likely sounds like the
> gas knob was left on.
>
> Never on this list or anywhere the last 11 years
> of my Westfalia ownership have I heard of a stove
> leaking on it's own, and never a catastrophe like
> this.
> If it was common it would be a major thread I
> think.
>
> That's not to say a leak somewhere in the stove
> burner and gas tubes could'nt occur from a seal
> failure .
>
> I have not heard of any recalls for the Westfalia
> stove.
>
> Yet, if the knob was on before she retired for
> the night, the gas smell should have been
> obvious, unless her smelling was impaired or she
> has been cooking garlic and onions.
>
> If you can't affords a leak detector then turning
> off the gas at the tank and cracking the stove
> valves (knobs) open to bleed the residual gas
> will give you a safe nights sleep.
>
> Of course, you bleed the lines with all windows
> and doors open , sotve and fridge off, and tank
> off, with no nearby sources of ignition like
> electric motors, combustion engines, campfires,
> etc.
>
> Propane is heavier than air so be sure to place
> the leak detector according to instructions, near
> floor level.
>
> A slow leak will may give you time to get out. A
> sudden leak you just have to get lucky, alarm or
> not.
>
> Robert
>
> 1982 Westfalia
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- Björn Ratjen <Bjorn@IGLIDE.NET> wrote:
>
> > Volks,
> >
> > A story in the local newspaper raised my
> > attention today. A lady was lucky to escape a
> > propane explosion in her Westie. It is a good
> > reminder to check the propane lines for leaks
> > and
> > install an appropriate alarm. I do not know the
> > lady.
> >
> >
>
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=0a2247cd-e520-4736-9265-b5fd0751db73&k=69048
> >
> > Björn
> >
> >
> > Björn Ratjen, Ph.D.
> > Cobble Hill, B.C.
> > phone/fax (250) 743-7575
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>
____________________________________________________________________________________
8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time
with the Yahoo! Search movie showtime shortcut.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#news
| 
