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Old 01-19-2012, 12:53 PM   #1
65th Anniversary CLIPPER
 
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1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City , British Columbia
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Clipper, Systems Tank Capacities

Specifically for the Clipper but may apply to other models.

A question has come up today on propane and this is a review of the Clipper LPG capacity.

The OEM Clipper specs published for the LPG tank capacity was 105 lbs.
My Clipper XXX137 LPG tank is sized at 31.1 GAL as specified on the tank ID plate.

31.1 gal (4.24 pounds per gallon) = 131.8 lbs x 80% = 105.49 lbs.

So the published capacity is the actual usable capacity (80%) of the tank which is controlled by the OPD valve. (OPD stands for "overfilling prevention device" )
In nearly all situations a tank is listed at its volume capacity and the actual usable capacity is 80% of that. Airstream published the usable capacity on this document.

So now we come to the tank mounted gauge.
Many of these gauges are far from accurate.
However, now that you know that the tank capacity is 31 US gallons, if you note the gauge indicator position before refilling the LPG this will give you some confirmation of the accuracy of the gauge.
I have checked mine on numerous occasions and find my tank gauge very reliable. (understand that most dispensers are temp./gallon compensated. and if in Canada you are buying a larger gallon)

About valve replacement. All LPG portable tanks must have the valve replaced and the tank inspected every 10 years.
This does not apply to fixed/mounted body tanks similar to that mounted on the Clipper.

And one last note. Never allow your LPG valve to be opened to the atmosphere. A LPG tank must be properly prepared before filling if it has been open to the atmosphere.

Dave
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Old 01-22-2012, 04:38 PM   #2
65th Anniversary CLIPPER
 
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1996 36' Clipper Bus
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LPG, Extend-A-Stay Valve

Applies to the Clipper, but may also work with other models.

Extend-A-Stay

This valve can easily be installed between the main LPG tank valve and the regulator to extend the stay in a parked location on propane.
Many delivery trucks will not deliver unless you have a tank other than the one mounted on your unit. However, they will usually fill your mounted tank once on site.

The valve is available from CW or any other camping supply.

Dave
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Old 01-22-2012, 05:51 PM   #3
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1993 36' Land Yacht
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Ok I understand the concept MF. The problem is that I bought my Extend a Stay about a month ago. When I went to install it on my 93 Land Yacht the regulator was covered. Do I remove the cover and chunk it or what? I noticed that your is completely exposed. If I don't put the cover back on what might happen?
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Old 01-22-2012, 06:02 PM   #4
65th Anniversary CLIPPER
 
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1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City , British Columbia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,309
Images: 61
Not sure what you mean by "completely covered"? I gather you mean that there is not enough room between the shutoff valve and the regulator for the new valve. Can the regulator not be moved over?
My regulator is beneath the ABS type cover. All that cover does is protect the regulator from possible damage. It is not sealed to the weather.
Dave
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Old 03-13-2012, 11:10 AM   #5
65th Anniversary CLIPPER
 
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1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City , British Columbia
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Stay A While Deluxe

Camping season is here. Are you ready?

I see CW has the Mr. Heater valves on sale this week for $72.99. Catalog Item # 30340 .
Mr. Heater - Stay A While Deluxe - F273734 - Propane Hoses and Adapters - Camping World

These are needed if you want to use additional LPG storage, or can be used for LPG Hot Dog burner.

Dave
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Old 12-02-2012, 09:00 PM   #6
65th Anniversary CLIPPER
 
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1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City , British Columbia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,309
Images: 61
Extend-a-Stay

There is a good 'how to' video here for this Extend-a Stay product.

How To Install Extend-a-Stay RV Propane Kit - YouTube

If your trailer or motorhome needs additional storage, this allows an external tank to connect to the unit.

Dave
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Old 11-22-2015, 07:21 PM   #7
65th Anniversary CLIPPER
 
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1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City , British Columbia
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Images: 61
We are having some cool weather for this late fall, and the furnaces on the CLIPPER have been running on occasion, set at 45*.


I wanted to let the mounted tank run dry to check the gauge accuracy once again. Today was the day! Gauge has been approaching MT and about noon the furnace failed to fire for lack of LPG. Tank gauge was right on MT.


91.375 L and the kid shut the pump down on the first sign of liquid from the bleed. Temperature compensated?


Anyways, the purpose of the test was to make sure the gauge was accurate.


Dave.




Quote:
Originally Posted by masseyfarm View Post
Specifically for the Clipper but may apply to other models.

The OEM Clipper specs published for the LPG tank capacity was 105 lbs.
My Clipper XXX137 LPG tank is sized at 31.1 GAL as specified on the tank ID plate.

31.1 gal (4.24 pounds per gallon) = 131.8 lbs x 80% = 105.49 lbs.

So the published capacity is the actual usable capacity (80%) of the tank which is controlled by the OPD valve. (OPD stands for "overfilling prevention device" )
In nearly all situations a tank is listed at its volume capacity and the actual usable capacity is 80% of that. Airstream published the usable capacity on this document.

So now we come to the tank mounted gauge.
Many of these gauges are far from accurate.
However, now that you know that the tank capacity is 31 US gallons, if you note the gauge indicator position before refilling the LPG this will give you some confirmation of the accuracy of the gauge.
I have checked mine on numerous occasions and find my tank gauge very reliable. (understand that most dispensers are temp./gallon compensated. and if in Canada you are buying a larger gallon)


Dave
__________________
"LOVE and LOSS, are two of the greatest emotions one can experience. -- I went to school to learn about "WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN" but I had to live my life to learn the lesson of: 'WITH LOVE THERE WILL BE SORROW'."
David Stewart. (after loosing my NAVIGATOR)
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Old 03-04-2017, 09:19 AM   #8
65th Anniversary CLIPPER
 
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LPG in Canada

More About Tanks
So ----- we are in Eastern Ontario in September 2016, and stop in at the Stinson's company store in Arnprior to top off the LPG tank. We had just been here a month earlier and did not have any problem, but this time the station employee asked for the certification information on the chassis mounted 31.1 US gal tank on the CLIPPER.



I informed him this was not needed, as chassis mounted tanks are not required to have re-certification in the Provincial jurisdiction that the CLIPPER is registered in. (RV LPG systems must be certified each time the unit registration changes in BC.)



The station employee refused to accept this, and insisted that new regulations introduced in Ontario required all tanks to be certified. Any employee found filling an un-certified tank would be dismissed, and the station owner fined heavily.



After some lengthy arguments, I realized I was not going to win this day, and moved on to a competitive station and had my tank filled there with no question asked.
(These new regulations are interpreted differently and enforced accordingly at this time. Be prepared!)



I returned to our boom dock site, and now thought it prudent to do some research on this subject. Yes, there were new regulations for LPG in Ontario, but I found no specific details with regard to a motorhome, or out of Province vehicle traveling through Ontario.



I made some phone calls with not much confirmation of facts and decided, considering I had ample time on my hands and this problem was not going to go away in the future, that I would go to the city and get my tank inspected and be done with it.



I called LPG specialists http://www.bytownautopropane.ca/Prop...aturalGas.html and arranged an appointment for the next week, and had this done. The technician tended to side with my argument that an out of Province vehicle should be in compliance with the Province in which it is Registered, and not by local jurisdictions as they travel the NA Continent.



The tank was inspected, the complete LPG system checked for leaks, a new inspection plate was installed on the tank, a new LPG sticker installed on the body of the CLIPPER, and a certification sticker applied to the drivers side window. Cost was $210.00 and this problem in now solved.



Be prepared for more of this type of bureaucracy in the future, as jurisdictions continue to pass safety legislation that they think appropriate.



Dave
__________________
"LOVE and LOSS, are two of the greatest emotions one can experience. -- I went to school to learn about "WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN" but I had to live my life to learn the lesson of: 'WITH LOVE THERE WILL BE SORROW'."
David Stewart. (after loosing my NAVIGATOR)
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