Please keep in mind when reading our tips, that due to liabilities, Mobuilt RV Repair, is not liable for any damages that may occur by following any tips listed. Please remember these are only suggestions. Following these RV tips is at your own risk. Thank you for understanding.
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| LP Detectors | |
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For this issue we are talking about LP and , specifically, LP detectors. The term LP gas stands for Liquefied Petroleum gas, which refers to a variety of substances that are by definition , gasses at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and that liquefy under moderate pressure and readily vaporize when released from pressure. For our purpose, the term LP gas will refer to "propane" - an odorless and colorless substance that is refined from natural gas and crude oil. For safety reasons an odor is added so that a leak will be noticed by a distinctive "rotten egg" smell. It is added to the LP at the bulk station. Like the sound from the LP leak detector, the distinctive smell is an indicator that a problem may exist. At this point, the vehicle should be evacuated, doors opened and windows should be opened, and the LP supply at the tank should be manually turned off. (See information later in this article.) |
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| The LP leak detector's function is to sound an audible alarm in the event an LP leak is detected. It is powered from the auxiliary (house) battery and operates continuously until power is interrupted or battery voltage falls below 10 volts. When the green light of the detector is lit, this is an indicator that the LP detector is receiving power. A change occurred in the method of wiring LP leak detectors into the electrical system during the 1995 model year. Vehicles built prior to the mid-year 1995 change have the detector connected in such a way that the detector is constantly powered from the auxiliary batteries. In effect there is no switch to turn off the system. On the vehicles manufactured after the mid-year 1995 change, the detector is wired into the system so that it is off when the auxiliary batteries are disconnected from the system. This is accomplished with the auxiliary battery disconnect switch. The detector has a self-check circuit which runs at all times when the detector is powered. In the event that the circuitry fails, a failure alarm will sound. It is a continuous series of short beeps between long interval and is distinctively different from the alert sound. In the event a leak is detected, the detector will sound a pulsating alarm. At this point, the vehicle should be evacuated, doors and windows should be opened, and the LP supply tank should be manually turned off. (See information later in this article.) Be aware that the device is a detector only. It will not interrupt the gas supply. The alarm will continue to sound until the vapors dissipate or the "Reset" button on the face of the leak detector has been pushed. Pushing the reset button stops the alarm from sounding for 60 seconds. Any time an LP leak is suspected, the LP system must be diagnosed to assure its integrity. However, the LP gas detector can be triggered by other factors, including other combustibles which can be detected. These include alcohol, liquor, deodorants, colognes, perfumes, wine, adhesives, lacquer, kerosene, gasoline, glues, cleaning agents, and propellants in aerosol cans. Testing the LP detector is an important activity. The detector must operating for at least 60 seconds before it can be tested. Test by exposing the detector to gas. One handy method of simulating gas is to use a butane lighter. Do not rotate the flint wheel and create a flame. Just press on the gas release button on the lighter, point the exit nozzle button of the butane lighter into the gas sensing area on the detector and observe that the alert sounder will begin to alarm. The alarm will continue to sound until either the gas mixture at the detector returns to a safe level of the rest button is pressed the detector cannot be restored for at least 60 seconds. The testing procedure should be repeated weekly or every time the motor home is taken on a trip, whichever occurs first. For many years, Winnebago Industries motor homes have featured LP gas tanks mounted directly to the chassis - not removable cylinders. LP flow to the LP system can be turned "on' and "off" by use of the service valve mounted on the tank. This is the valve to close in the event of a suspected leak. Be sure you know the location of this valve. | |
| Note: On diesel powered
coaches with LP powered generators, a separate
line carries LP from the LP tank to the
generator. This line has its own service valve.
In the event that a leak is suspected, this valve
also should be turned "off." If you
have such a coach, make sure you know the
location of this second valve. The service valve is designed to be closed leak-free by hand. Do not use a wrench or other device to open or close the valve. |
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| Caution" The inspection, service and repair of the vehicle's LP system and its components are NOT considered "do it yourself" activities and should be undertaken only by qualified service professionals. Contact your local dealer for inspection, service and repair of your LP system | |
| LP Gas detectors can, over a long period, run batteries down -- especially if you store it for a while. You can turn it off by then switching off the batteries altogether when the RV is stored. | |
A reprint from Winnebago Traveling Times |
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Please keep in mind when reading our tips, that due to liabilities, Mobuilt RV Repair, is not liable for any damages that may occur by following any tips listed. Please remember these are only suggestions. Following these RV tips is at your own risk. Thank you for understanding.
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