Table of Contents

Winnebago Sunstar 2023 PROPANE GAS User Manual

PROPANE GAS

PROPANE GAS SUPPLY

The propane gas system supplies fuel for the gas range/oven, water heater, furnace, and refrigerator (while in gas mode). When used and handled properly, this system is safe and economical and provides modern living conveniences wherever you travel. See Section 2 – Safety and Precautions in this manual for other safety and precautions you need to be aware of related to propane.

How Propane Gas Works
Propane is a type of LP (Liquefied Petroleum) gas compressed into liquid form for easy transportation and storage. Propane gas may also be called tank gas, bottle gas, or simply LP. Propane is used by appliances in vapor form only, but is stored in the tank as a liquid under very high pressure. As the liquid gas is released, it reverts back to a vapor and expands to many times its compressed volume.

Propane Tank System
The storage reservoir for the propane gas system is a horizontally mounted tank which is permanently attached to the vehicle frame. The tank is accessible only from the outside of the vehicle.

WARNING
Do not alter or remove propane tank valves or gauges. Propane can escape, which can cause an explosion resulting in death or serious injury. Have the propane system serviced by a qualified service center.

Refilling Propane Tank
Since the propane tank is permanently mounted to the frame, the motorhome must be taken to a propane dealership for filling. Do not attempt to remove the propane tank from the vehicle. The tank is equipped with a fill adapter with both internal and external threads, which allows easy filling with any propane-filling equipment. The tank is full when liquid propane gas appears at the overflow valve.
NOTE: The propane tank is equipped with an automatic 80% stop-fill device.

WARNING
Do not fill propane container(s) to more than 80 percent of capacity. A properly filled container contains approximately 80 percent of its volume as liquid propane. Overfilling propane container(s) can result in uncontrolled propane flow, which could lead to a fire or explosion and result in death or serious injury.

DANGER
All pilot lights, appliances, and their igniters (see operating instructions) shall be turned off before refueling of motor fuel tanks and/or propane containers. Can cause the ignition of flammable vapors, which can lead to a fire or explosion and result in death or serious injury.

WARNING
This propane piping system is designed for use with propane only. Do not connect natural gas to this system. Securely cap inlet when not connected for use. After turning on propane, except after normal cylinder replacement, test propane piping and connections to appliances for leakage with soapy water or bubble solution. Do not use products that contain ammonia or chlorine to test for leaks. Can lead to a fire or explosion, which could result in death or serious injury.

Selecting Propane Fuel Types
We recommend using straight propane in your propane tank. Propane gas is commonly available at all propane gas outlets in the U.S. (According to the National Propane Gas Association, propane gas outlets in the United States do not offer any other type of liquefied petroleum gas than propane to the general public.) Check local phone directory yellow pages for locations of local propane gas refilling stations or bulk dealerships.

NOTE: If you travel outside the U.S. with your motorhome, you may find butane or propane/butane mixtures available in addition to propane. Because gas-burning RV appliances are designed to run on propane only, we recommend that you request straight propane only. Butane burns about 30 percent hotter than propane and can overheat some appliances, particularly refrigerators, and cause permanent damage. Other appliances designed to operate on propane can become sooted and lose efficiency by using butane fuel.

Air in the Propane Gas Tank
If your gas appliances do not stay lit or require frequent adjustment, even though you know the propane tank contains sufficient fuel, the problem may be air in the propane gas tank. Air in the tank mixes with the propane gas vapors causing them to burn poorly. This condition could linger for weeks if the air is not purged from the tank. Most propane gas dealers have equipment for purging air from propane gas tanks and will purge before refilling the tank.

PROPANE ACCESSORY CONNECTION

Your motorhome is featured with a Propane Accessory Connection for your convenience, to connect items such as a portable BBQ grill. This connection is on the low pressure side of the propane gas pressure regulator. Portable appliances which have an additional or built-in regulator may not operate correctly. The Propane Accessory Connection is provided with a shut-off valve that has on/off indicator arrows. Rotate the shut-off valve “clockwise” to turn gas supply OFF. Rotate the shut-off valve “counter-clockwise” to turn gas supply ON. See Section 2 – Safety and Precautions in this manual for other safety and precautions you need to be aware of related to propane.

LP Accessory Connection
(Located behind access door on the passenger side of motorhome or at the rear of the vehicle, depending on model)
-Typical View

CAUTION
Turn the valve off when not in use. Secure cap to the outlet when not in use. After turning on gas, test gas piping connections to appliance for leakage with soapy water or bubble solution. Do not use products that contain ammonia or chlorine.

SAFE USE OF THE PROPANE GAS SYSTEM

The propane system is designed and built with strict adherence to national, state, and recreational vehicle industry requirements for mobile propane gas equipment. For your safety, there are many safety devices and backup systems installed, such as fill overflow valves, an interior propane gas detector/alarm, and an interior carbon monoxide (CO) detector/alarm. Propane gas also contains an odor additive that you can smell if propane is present in the air.

Here are a few precautions to observe that will help you to use the propane gas system safely:

Exercise caution at all times. Be familiar with the distinctive odor of propane gas. If a leak is suspected, turn off the supply valve immediately. Have the propane gas system checked by your dealer or other qualified propane gas service center. Do not tamper with the propane gas piping system, pressure regulator, or gas appliances. Service and maintenance of propane gas system components should be performed only by your dealer or a qualified propane gas service center.
Never attempt to connect natural gas to the propane gas system.
Have the entire propane gas system inspected for possible leaks and missing or damaged parts at each filling. Also inspect before and after each trip, and any time trouble is suspected.
Turn the propane supply valve off when not using the propane gas system.
Never use a wrench to tighten the supply valve. It is designed to close leak-tight by hand. If a wrench is required to completely close the valve, it is defective and must be replaced.
Be sure appliance and outside vents are open and free from obstruction when using the propane gas system.
Never attach a lock or any device requiring a key to the propane compartment door. According to standards set for recreation vehicles, the propane supply valve must be readily accessible in an emergency.
Exercise caution when drilling holes or attaching objects to the walls. Gas lines and electrical wiring could be seriously damaged and present an extreme safety hazard.

PROPANE GAS WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

It is illegal for vehicles equipped with propane container to travel on certain roadways or through certain tunnels in the U.S. To avoid inconvenience, check state regulations concerning flammable gas transportation.

Propane Gas Leaks
The following label is located in the vehicle near the range area. If you smell gas within the vehicle, quickly and carefully perform the procedures listed.

DANGER
IF YOU SMELL PROPANE

Extinguish any open flames and all smoking materials.
Shut off the propane supply at the container valve(s) or propane supply connection.
Do not touch electrical switches.
Open doors and other ventilating openings.
Leave the area until odor clears.
Have the propane system checked and leakage source corrected before using again.

Ignition of flammable vapors could lead to a fire or explosion and result in death or serious injury.

All pilot lights must be extinguished and appliances and their ignitors turned off while refilling the fuel tank or propane container.
Never smoke while refilling vehicle fuel tank or propane gas container.
Avoid inhaling exhaust gases produced by burned gasoline, diesel fuel, or propane gas in items such as the range, chassis engine, generator engine, refrigerator, furnace, and water heater. They contain carbon monoxide, which is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas.

WARNING
Do not place propane cylinders inside the vehicle. Propane cylinders are equipped with safety devices that relieve excessive pressure by discharging propane to the atmosphere. Propane gas is highly flammable. Can lead to a fire or explosion and result in death or serious injury.

Never use an open flame to test for propane gas leaks. Replace all protective covers and caps on propane system after filling. Make sure valve is closed and door latched securely.
Portable fuel-burning equipment, including wood and charcoal grills and stoves, shall not be used inside the recreational vehicle. The use of this equipment inside the recreational vehicle may cause fires or asphyxiation. Regulators are equipped with a protective cover. Make sure that the regulator vent faces downward and that the cover is kept in place to minimize vent blockage, which could result in excessive gas pressure causing fire or explosion.

PROPANE GAS PRESSURE REGULATOR

The pressure regulator is protected from the elements by a plastic cover, which should be left in place at all times. Propane regulators must always be installed with the regulator vents facing downward. Regulators that are not in compartments have been equipped with a protective cover. Make sure that the regulator vent faces downward and that the cover is kept in place to minimize vent blockage that could result in excessive propane pressure causing fire or explosion. Only your dealer or a qualified propane gas service should remove the regulator cover for adjustments.

WARNING
Visually inspect the pressure regulator vent periodically for blockage by accumulated debris or insect nests, etc. Vent obstruction could result in excessive pressure causing fire or explosion, which could result in death or serious injury. If an obstruction exists, have the regulator serviced by a qualified service center.

Look up inside hole on underside of regulator housing to see vent screen.

Regulator Freeze-up
Regulator freeze-ups are caused by the presence of moisture in fuel. This moisture will pass through the cylinder valve and into the regulator where it can freeze. Fuel producers, tank and bottle manufacturers, and propane gas dealers take every precaution to reduce moisture, but sometimes only a fraction of an ounce entering the tank can cause problems. To help avoid the possibility of freeze-up, always keep tank control valve closed when not in use, even when the tank is empty, to prevent moisture from collecting on the inside.
If regulator freeze-up should occur, you may attempt to thaw the regulator using a light bulb.

DO NOT USE AN OPEN FLAME OR HEAT LAMP
If moisture begins to cause problems, have your propane gas dealer inject a small amount of dry methyl alcohol in your tank (approximately one ounce to 20 pounds or one pint to 100 gallons) to help guard against regulator freeze-ups.

PROPANE VAPORIZATION IN COLD WEATHER
Propane gas vaporization increases and decreases in direct relation to ambient temperature. In other words, the lower the temperature, the slower the liquid propane will vaporize into a usable gas for appliances. This means that in extremely cold weather when a large volume of gas is being used by the furnace for heating, it is possible to experience a loss of gas pressure. At first, this problem may appear to be caused by an empty tank or a regulator freeze-up but is actually caused by the failure of the liquid gas to vaporize as fast as it is needed by the furnace. The demand for propane to produce heat increases to the point where the gas cannot vaporize fast enough to keep the furnace going. The only solution to this problem is to reduce gas usage where possible. Adjusting the temperature on the gas/electric refrigerator may be a first step. Using less hot water will also help, as well as refraining from using the gas cooktop. A final step is to lower the thermostat setting to reduce gas usage by the furnace.

Reference Links

View Full User Guide: Winnebago Sunstar 2023 User Manual

Download link: https://www.winnebago.com/owners/owner-resources/manuals-and-diagrams/operator-manuals