Switching From Natural Gas to Propane (And Back)

[dan86]

Hi everybody,
I just bought an Airstream ('76 31 foot Excella) that I'm planning on restoring (fully gutting and starting from scratch), and I'm pretty much making this up as I go so pardon my ignorance. My plan is to live out of it in my back yard, but I'd still like to take it out every once in a while so I'd like it to have the ability to be mobile. I want to run a gas line to the trailer for a gas oven as well as water heater to limit the amount of power I need to draw from the house.

My question is, how practical is it to switch from gas to propane and back again if I wanted to use propane while on the road? I don't mind if it's a bit of a hassle, as it's more important that the trailer be usable and comfortable full time and I'd only be taking it out once or twice a year. I'd just like to know if it's feasible. Thanks for your help, and feel free to give any general advice about Airstream restoration/maintenance. This all new to me.

[crispyboy]

Assuming you want to go from propane to natural gas.
It would be a royal pain in the butt because you would essentially be converting the appliance from one type of gas to another. This would include changing out the gas orifices and re-tuning the appliance each time. You may not be able to find the parts for the conversion because the appliances are spec'd for RV use.
Do your self a favor and get a large propane bottle to use or convert your appliances to all electric.

[dan86]

Originally Posted by crispyboy

Assuming you want to go from propane to natural gas.
It would be a royal pain in the butt because you would essentially be converting the appliance from one type of gas to another. This would include changing out the gas orifices and re-tuning the appliance each time. You may not be able to find the parts for the conversion because the appliances are spec'd for RV use.
Do your self a favor and get a large propane bottle to use or convert your appliances to all electric.

Thanks for responding. Would if I have the same problem if I started with smaller gas appliances? I'm doing a fully custom build so I'm flexible, and I'd be using these on gas 99% of the time.

[lsbrodsky]

You would have the same problem. Propane and Natural Gas(methane) have different heating values and densities requiring different orifices and sometimes control boards. Even if you buy an appliance designed for either gas, you still have to change orifices and reset burners.
Larry

[m.hony]

Why not just make it all propane?
The stove has a different orifice depending on if it is natural gas or LPG.
I assume the water heater and furnace would, too.
I would think RV appliances are made to run on propane only, so switching from natural gas to propane would not even be possible.

[Jacob D]

Your trailer has 4 appliances using propane. Water heater, furnace, stove top and oven. Since you are in Florida you may not need to use the furnace. You can disconnect and plug that gas line. The water heater may be fairly easily converted since it has only one burner orifice and one air/gas adjustment. You need to check with the manufacturer. The same may be possible for the stove top. Since you only plan to take the rig on the road twice a year you can probably get by with just the stove top and maybe a small counter top microwave. You would still have to disconnect and plug the oven gas If you need heat while traveling, assuming you would be staying in RV parks, a small electric heater would probably be warm enough unless you are planning an Alaska trip.

[OttawaValleyGuy]

Why would it be so difficult to have Two thirty pound bottles
Just leave one hooked up and keep a spare full. .??

[kenfconnor]

100% agree with prior comments. For about $100-$150 you can get a 100lb propane cylinder at Costco, Tractor Supply or similar. At our costco they will refill these and the cost of Propane is much lower than what I pay to have my 500 lb tank filled at the house(no natural gas line in the area). Given the risk of creating a leak whenever you change anything out like the orifices and the hassle of doing that change I would stick with all Propane. 100 lbs even if living full time should last a long time.

[MelGoddard]

Not sure, but I believe that propane has more BTUs than natural gas.

[dan86]

Thanks for the replies, seems like it might be more hassle than it's worth. For one person cooking every day and showering every day, can you estimate how long I could expect a thirty pound bottle to last?

[Vantair]

Thinking 1lb of LP a day minus any furnace
use but your mileage may vary.

(Based on a 5 night measure in cool temps, 60 min furnace per day, 4 showers requiring 20 min preheat ea.
Light cooking 2x per day = all in total burned 10lbs propane).

[Foiled Again]

If you EVER travel OR EVER decide to sell, you'll want propane. The cost of running a natural gas line won't be cheap, and propane isn't that much more if you get a 250 lb. Cylinder and hook that to your regulator while you are in the back yard. Your local propane delivery company can give you all the details. Consider a propane fireplace or catalytic heater too if you've heard that RV furnaces are fuel hogs (it's true). Plus heat pump tech is improvimg drastically every year.

I just put a new mattress in Eddie.... and wrangling any large item inside the narrow confines of an Airstream is exhausting and a source of bruises and scrapes. Go propane.... or if you want truly unique read Smokeless Joe's thread on contemporizimg his Argosy.... Euro appliances - all diesel, even the hob (stove burners).

Happy trails, Paula

[Jacob D]

Originally Posted by Jacob D

Your trailer has 4 appliances using propane. Water heater, furnace, stove top and oven. Since you are in Florida you may not need to use the furnace. You can disconnect and plug that gas line. The water heater may be fairly easily converted since it has only one burner orifice and one air/gas adjustment. You need to check with the manufacturer. The same may be possible for the stove top. Since you only plan to take the rig on the road twice a year you can probably get by with just the stove top and maybe a small counter top microwave. You would still have to disconnect and plug the oven gas If you need heat while traveling, assuming you would be staying in RV parks, a small electric heater would probably be warm enough unless you are planning an Alaska trip.

Please forgive an error in my post above. Most trailers have a fifth appliance on propane, the refrigerator. In an older model like my '67 the orifice is fairly easy to remove but I don't know if there is one available that would convert the reefer to natural gas. The simple solution would be to switch it to electricity.

[nvestysly]

I agree that installing a 100#, 2 - 100#, or even a larger tank would be much preferred over changing out orifices and the other hassles of switching from propane to natural gas and vice-versa.

There may be some "smart" appliances on the market that operate on either propane or natural gas but they're bound to cost more and it's not likely that any future owner will want that feature.

My suggestion is keep it simple, use propane, and don't look back.