US Vanagon onboard LPG or Propane?

Post by **printmonkey** » 27 Mar 2012, 20:19

I've been trying to find out if I can fill the Propane tank with LPG to run the fridge.

Without going into the details it seems to be safe. But I'm concerned about any adverse effects this may have on the system if it has been running on Propane in the US.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Safety First!

Post by **Oldiebut goodie** » 27 Mar 2012, 20:29

Propane is an LPG.
Are you referring to Autogas as supplied at fuel stations?

Post by **printmonkey** » 27 Mar 2012, 20:54

Yes, sorry I wasn't clear on that. It would be easier to fill up at BP if possible.

Post by **Oldiebut goodie** » 27 Mar 2012, 23:04

Autogas contains butane in various proportions. Interestingly this was a topic on another forum I am on. No supplier gives details of the proportions but I found a datasheet from Shell that just stated:

Formula: C3H8 and C4H10 at variable mixture ratios
(N° CAS:68476-85-7 / EG index nummer: 270-704-2).
Complex mixture of hydrocarbons consisting mainly of autogas and propenes , butane (normal butane
and iso-butane) and butenes plus some C5 and higher hydrocarbons.

A lot of people use it (provided that your appliances are suitable for both gases) but be prepared for the possibility of the butane not vaporising in the tank in cold weather leading to increased butane proportion in the tank. This would be OK in that the butane would burn off when used in the warmer weather - above 0 degrees C IIRC. Not much of a problem if you don't do a lot of winter camping.
Hopefully someone with practical experience of the various autogas suppliers will give their opinion of drawbacks etc.
On the other forum one member said that he had to put hot water on to a cloth on his regulator to unfreeze it to get the gas to flow. (Possibly caused by the low temps and wind chill on the exposed regulator on the tank). There would be no such problem with a pure propane fill.
Most peoples appliances seem to cope with the autogas just fine. Really you can do little else than to have a fill and see how they perform.

I can certainly vouch for the fact that butane is useless in winter as my boat cooker had butane bottle when I bought it - I couldn't get any gas through at all in winter.

Post by **Plasticman** » 28 Mar 2012, 10:38

odd, why easier to fill up at BP?
anyhow i like many others run my stove/heating etrc of an onboard lpg tank , have done for years with never a pro blem
mm

Post by **Oldiebut goodie** » 28 Mar 2012, 11:16

Most probably his local outlet.

Post by **printmonkey** » 28 Mar 2012, 19:51

Oldiebut goodie wrote:Most probably his local outlet.

That's right, it's the closet garage with Autogas (LPG) that doesn't involve sitting in traffic on the North Circular
for an hour to travel a couple of miles. And locating a place to get the LP (US spec) tank filed with Propane isn't
very high on my list of priorities. I'd rather get this van on the road.

From the information I could find on US Westfalia's they always refer to Propane as the gas to use. The tank
on my '86 Vanagon GL doesn't have a pre-heater to cope with the Butane in Autogas at lower temperatures
so your information was greatly appreciated.

I'm sure Autogas will be fine if I keep a warm cloth at hand.

Once again thanks for the advice on your experience with Butane.

David

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