Play it safe with propane

R&T De Maris photo

It seems like every year we run across the sad results of propane gas that got out of hand. Usually the outcome is a pile of smoldering ash where an RV once stood. Propane is a great servant, but as they say, it makes a lousy master. A few reminders about LP (as propane is 'shorthanded').

Propane in your RV tank or cylinder is a highly compressed gas, so packed under pressure that it forms a liquid. The liquid converts to a gaseous state when released from the container, and the pressure is reduced by your rig's LP regulator. Were it not for this little device, dangerously high gas pressure would flood into your coach, possibly leading to horrific results.

LP gas is heavier than air. If your LP system develops a leak inside your coach, that gas will travel down to the lower levels of your rig. While the gas is "scented" in a way that would be pleasing to Pepi LePew, having a cold, sinus infection, or just a bad sense of smell could render this safety scenting useless. It's best to get an LP gas detector, and install it near the floor, following the manufacturer's instructions.

If your leak detector sounds off, or you smell that distinctive odor, GET OUT OF YOUR RIG. Don't switch on the lights. Don't use the cell phone until you're out of the coach and well away from it. Be sure to turn off the gas valves on all tanks servicing your coach--the hand wheel on the valve turns clockwise to shut off. Your rig must be thoroughly aired out before you get back inside--and the propane industry recommends you call the fire department if you discover a leak.

In its liquid form, propane is extremely cold. Exposing your skin to liquid propane can burn it or give you one whale of a case of frostbite.

Unless you are thoroughly familiar with LP gas regulators, DON'T TWEAK WITH THEM! It's enough to hook up your portable LP containers, remembering they are "left hand threaded," so you tighten your gas pigtail connector onto the container by turning it counterclockwise. Mind you, this applies when using the "old fashioned" style brass pigtail connector, which requires a 7/8" end wrench to put on. Newer pigtail connectors use an "Acme" style nut, which can be hand tightened, in a clockwise fashion.

Individual appliances may also have their own regulators. It's good to check them now and then to ensure they aren't rusty. A corroded regulator can lead to serious problems--have a repair tech replace it.

Since the change in the national fire code came down a few years ago, your portable LP containers must be equipped with an "Overfill Protection Device" (OPD) valve to be refilled in most states. They're identifiable by their triangularly shaped hand wheel. The valve wheel is marked "OPD." If you're still using the end wrench pig tail fittings, be careful when you wrench down your connection. Tighten until you find good resistance--then stop. Don't turn beyond this snug fit, or you run the risk of tearing up the rubber gasket that's built into the OPD valve, which could lead to gas leakage.

Portable LP containers must be inspected periodically. The first required check is twelve years after manufacture, then again every five years. The inspection is not expensive, and many LP dealers can do it for you. Once inspected and approved, a new date will be stamped onto the container. It's not a bad idea to maintain your LP containers by keeping a coat of paint on them to prevent rusting. Some LP dealers won't refill a visibly rusted LP tank.

If you take your LP containers out of your rig to have them filled, take care when transporting them. First, LP cylinders must be transported and filled in the position in which they operate. That is, a tank that stands vertically in your RV must be transported and filled in a vertical position. Some of you have horizontal style tanks, and LP filling station "greenhorns," may try to fill them in a vertical position. Don't let them!

When you trot your bottles down to the LP dealer for filling, it's best NOT to transport them inside a vehicle. Put 'em in the bed of your pickup, secured carefully to prevent them from tipping over. Why not carry them in your car or trunk? LP expands as it heats. If the tank were to be overfilled (yes, it's even possible with an OPD valve), heat inside a vehicle could cause the LP to expand, "popping off" the cylinder's safety valve, releasing LP vapor. Add a source of ignition and you could thoroughly test your life insurance policy.

Most campers and trailers use multiple LP containers, connected with an automatically switching gas regulator. Hence, when one LP container runs out, the regulator switches to a full cylinder, and generally pops up an indicator flag, showing the need for refilling the "empty." You may even catch a whiff of LP "odorant," if you're cooking on the stove top when you reach the bottom of the cylinder. In any event, it's best to refill the empty soon, rather than risk running out of gas.

Should you run out, be sure to switch off all gas appliances. While many appliances are equipped with a safety system that shuts off its own gas valve, that's not true in every case. For example, many ovens equipped with a standing pilot don't have a safety valve that shuts off the pilot. If you don't shut off the oven pilot, when you bring more gas on line, you'll have a potential gas leak from the oven pilot until you relight.

After you bring your container home and hook it back into the system, it's not a bad idea to test your connection for leaks. Using the detecting solution we outline at the bottom of this story, do this: Use a paint brush, or even put some of this solution in a spray bottle, and thoroughly coat the connection. If bubbles result, cinch up the fitting just a bit until you stop the bubbles – and the leak.

After you've checked for leaks, then go through the coach lighting any pilot lights and bringing your appliances back on line. When relighting appliances, always follow the manufacturer's instructions, keeping a healthy view toward "waiting 5 minutes to relight." We had an experience once with a balky RV hot water heater that nearly singed the mustache off the home technician.

Finally, if any appliance gas valve gives you trouble, don't take a wrench after it, nor a can of lubricant. Gas valves are designed to be operated with fingers--not tools. If your fingers can't budge it, then there's damage on the valve, and using a tool or lubricant on it may dramatically reduce your life expectancy.

Since RVs tend to take a bit of jostling about on the road, jiggling a propane gas line fitting loose is not unexpected. Tracking down a leaky fitting is relatively easy with the use of commercial "leak detector" fluid, or you can make your own. We make ours in a small bottle and use a paint brush to paint our home-brew on any suspect fitting.

In 4 ounces of water, add 3 tablespoons of liquid dish soap. Don't use a soap that contains ammonia or chlorine bleach – it will raise Cain with gas fittings. Mix well and apply liberally to the fitting. If the solution "bubbles," then a propane leak is present. Be sure that propane pressure is applied to the fitting in question!