Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 2023 LPG System User Manual
LPG System
Your touring coach is equipped with a permanently-mounted tank for LPG with a remote fill and remote gas supply shut off switch. LPG burns with a clean blue flame. LPG is used where subfreezing temperatures are common since it boils at -44°F. Keep in mind at these temperatures the BTU is lower than at 30°F. How long a full tank of gas will last is dependent on usage. In cold weather, when you are using the furnace, using large amounts of hot water, or cooking extensively, you will naturally use more LPG than you will in warm weather, or when doing limited cooking. On average, with normal cooking and other appliance use, you can probably count a few weeks of usage from the tank, if you are not running your generator. If you have allowed the tank to run out, air may have gotten into the lines. In this event, the air must be allowed to bleed from the lines before lighting appliances. Follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions and light the appliance closest to the LPG supply tank. Then move to the next closest, etc.
LPG Tank Remote Fill
The LPG tank is filled by accessing the remote fill hookup located in the compartment under the passenger side rear fender behind the rear wheels. Be sure the fill is free of dirt. It may help to remind your LPG supplier to only use a clean fill hose to fill your tank. Turn off the remote switch when the LPG system is not in use, as it draws a 12-volt current from the batteries.
WARNING
Only certified LPG suppliers should fill the LPG tank. Turn the remote gas supply switch off before filling or refilling LPG tank.
WARNING
Always shut off the LPG gas when refueling the touring coach.
Remote Gas Supply Switch
A remote switch for shutting off the gas to all appliances is located in the rear passenger’s side compartment. The switch activates an electric solenoid which opens and closes, shutting the gas off at the tank. This switch should be turned off during the filling of the LPG tank or when LP is not needed to fuel appliances. Gas lines should be checked periodically for leaks with ammonia-free soapy water.
WARNING
Be careful when working around electricity, as it can carry dangerous amperage and cause sparks or combustion.
NOTE
The electric gas shut-off solenoid closes automatically when 12-volt power is disconnected. It will reopen when power is restored.
WARNING
All LP gas appliances must be turned off during refueling of the touring coach fuel tank and permanently-mounted LPG tank.
WARNING
Do not use an open flame to search for problems. If gas can be smelled, appliance pilots fail to stay on, or any other abnormal situation occurs, use the remote supply switch to shut off the tank valve immediately and call on a qualified LPG service center or Airstream Service Center.
LPG Regulator
The LPG regulators used on Airstream Touring Coach are designed for low-pressure service, with a normal outlet pressure setting of 11”-14” water column. Only personnel trained in the proper procedures, codes, standards, etc., should service regulators. Has the regulator inspected each time the tank is refilled? Replace any regulator that has had water in the spring case, or shows evidence of external corrosion or corrosion inside the spring case.
CAUTION
Moisture in the LPG tank will cause a malfunction of the regulator in controlling proper pressure. This may result in the flame lifting off the burner or going out frequently. Many refueling stations will add approximately ¼ to ½ gal of alcohol allowing moisture to pass through the regulator without the formation of ice crystals.
Exterior LP Port
A quick-connect, low-pressure LPG connection is located under the passenger side rear quarter panel behind the dual wheels. It is a utility connection to use for an outside grill or other LPG appliance. Check that the remote LPG shut-off switch is turned off. Slide the collar on the female end back and plug the male hose into the connection. Release the collar and check that the hose is properly connected by giving a firm pull on the hose. Turn the LPG remote shut-off switch on and recheck all connections to the appliances and quick connection to be sure no leaks are present. Follow all instructions, cautions, and warnings in this manual when connecting and disconnecting appliances.
Plumbing
Water System (Self-Contained)
The freshwater system consists of a city water hookup, fresh water tank gravity fill, fresh water tank and drain valve, water pump, hot and cold water lines, water heater, fresh water line low point drain valves, and faucets. Full explanations on the locations and use of these features are explained in this section. Before using the water system, check that the water heaters drain valve is closed. See Winterizing and Storage for further information on the drain valve. Close all low point drain valves and the fresh water tank drain valve.
Fill the water tank by opening the main sliding door to access the gravity feed water fill cap. A high-pressure RV/Marine FDA approved drinking water hose of at least ½-in. diameter made from material that is tasteless, odorless, and non-toxic can now be inserted. It’s a good idea to let the water run through a hose for a short time to flush it out. Reveres sometimes fill their tanks with “home” water to avoid strange water that may be distasteful to them on short outings. Remember, the more water you carry in the Fresh Water tank, the less cargo carrying capacity you have for other items. The amount of water in the tank may be checked on the Multiplex Control Panel. Keep watch of the water level as the water fill is essentially on the interior of the unit. Open the hot side of the galley faucet and turn on the water pump switch located on the monitor panel. For some time, the open faucet may only sputter.
This is because the water heater is being filled and air is being pushed out through the lines. Once the water heater is full, a steady stream of water will flow from the faucet. Now, open a cold faucet. It may sputter for a short time, but will soon expel a steady stream. All other faucets can now be opened until all air is expelled. Once the system is filled with water and the faucets closed, the water pump will shut off. When a faucet is opened, the pump will come back on automatically. If the faucet is just barely open, it is normal for the pump to cycle on and off rapidly. It is normal for a pump to occasionally cycle when all faucets are off to keep the water pressure at the set point. However, if it cycles frequently (e.g. more than a few times an hour) the plumbing system, pump, and pump strainer should be checked to be sure it is not losing pressure through a slow water leak or back through the pump.
NOTE
To prevent equipment damage, the water heater should only be started after the water system is primed and ready for use.
NOTE
Turn the water pump off when the touring coach is left unattended or in motion.
Water Pump and Strainer
The water pump is controlled by the Multiplex Systems control panels. Once the switch is turned on, the pump will run until the water pressure reaches approximately 50 psi. At this point, an internal pressure switch will shut it off. When a faucet is opened, the water pressure will drop and the pump will start to run again. As a general rule, the water pump should be turned off while using a city water hookup; however, the water pressure at some campgrounds may be low. The water pump can be turned on to assist the city water hookup pressure. Be sure there is some water in the fresh water tank. The pump will only use the water that is needed out of the tank to bring the pressure up to the usual standard of 50 psi. The water pump and strainer are located under the passenger side powered ottoman seat controlled by the switch on the end of the roof locker and removing the closeout. The strainer should be visually checked for accumulation of sand or debris that could affect water flow.
To clean the strainer screen: with the clear plastic at the top, press on the sides of the strainer releasing the tabs holding the clear plastic top in place, hold the sides in, and pull straight up on the clear plastic top to remove the screen assembly. Rinse all debris from the screen. Replace the screen assembly by aligning the screen in the seating groves and pressing gently down until the tabs catch and hold the clear plastic top in place.
The inlet and outlet hoses and the strainer assembly are held in place by self-sealing, blue, quick-connect fittings. To disconnect a hose or the strainer, grasp the blue tab on the female fitting by the grooved finger edges and pull straight out on the tab. This will release the male fitting connected to the hoses and strainer. Be sure that both the female and male fitting on the disconnect are free of all debris and are not damaged before replacing. Check the pump system for leaks any time the disconnect fittings on the hoses and/or strainer are removed.
CAUTION
Failure to check the quick disconnect fitting for water leaks when reinstalling inlet and outlet hoses or the water pump strainer may cause the pump system to leak, causing damage to personal property.
Sanitizing
Potable water systems require periodic maintenance to deliver a consistent flow of fresh water. Depending on use and the environment the system is subject to, sanitizing is recommended prior to storing and before using the water system after a period of storage. Systems with new components or ones that have been subjected to contamination should also be disinfected as follows:
- Use one of the following methods to determine the amount of common household bleach needed to sanitize the tank. a. Multiply “gallons of tank capacity” by 0.13; the result is the ounces of bleach needed to sanitize the tank.
- Multiply “Liters of tank capacity” by 1.0; the result is the milliliters of bleach needed to sanitize the tank.
- Mix the proper amount of bleach into a container of water.
- Pour the correct amount of solution (water/bleach) into the Fresh Water tank and fill with potable water.
- Open all faucets (hot and cold) allowing the water to run until the distinct odor of chlorine is detected.
- The standard solution must have 4 hours of contact time to disinfect completely. Doubling the solution concentration will allow for a contact time of one (1) hour.
- When the contact time is completed, drain the tank. Refill with potable water and flush the plumbing of all sanitizing solutions.
NOTE
The sanitizing procedure outlined above is in conformance with the approved procedures of RVIA ANSI A 119.2 and the U.S. Public Health Service.
Reference Links
View Full User Guide: Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 2023 User Manual
Download Manuals: https://www.airstream.com/owners/manuals/
