Merry Xmas to one and all, We are off to North Yorkshire for New Year, Dose anyone know how cold dose it have to get before we have to switch to Propane gas ? Thanks for any info.
What is the difference between propane and butane? Is one more suitable than the other for particular applications?
Propane (red and green cylinders) has a lower boiling point than butane (blue cylinders) and is stored at a higher pressure so it is more suited for storage outside. Butane’s boiling point (conversion from liquid to gas) is around 0˚C so in colder conditions around this temperature it will not work.
What is the operating temperature range for each of the gases?
BS 5482 part 1 states: "For Butane cylinders, satisfactory service might not be obtained at a temperature of less than 10°C; the most suitable temperature range is from 13 to 30°C. For temperatures less than 13°C, the use of propane should be considered."
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Like Paul we use Propane all year round. Not sure I notice any difference between the two but Butane, I understand, is supposed to have a higher calorific value.
Thanks to all the above for your remarks, I've taken that on-board, we have been away twice before at new year and never had a problem with butane, but with all the recent threads on the subject and the colder weather that is forcast I thought I would ask the question. Once again many thanks.
There has been a change in the pressure of Butane this year so it will be interesting to see if it makes a diference at low temps. Usually find problems start with Butane from 4 deg C downwards. Starts with poor flame etc.
stu, dont worry, you wont be the only one with butane, we have two like that, might be thinking about leaving one of them in the van though just incase we have any problems, mind you we have ehu so at least we can make a cup of coffee in the morning and the heating is oil radiator so we wont freeze, just got to remember to leave the bathroom door open as theres nothing better to wake you up than freezing your bum off, literally!!!!!!!
We went away the weekend before Christmas and thought we would chance the Butane, never again, it kept freezing (just as we were told it would), luckerly we had 2 bottles and kept swapping then over, never again, got some Propane for this weekend.
There has been a change in the pressure of Butane this year so it will be interesting to see if it makes a diference at low temps. Usually find problems start with Butane from 4 deg C downwards. Starts with poor flame etc.
Let us know how you get on.
Won't make any difference tthe regulator allows the gass to be delivered at a slightly higher pressure but if your liquid is to cold to change into a gass which starts at about 4 deg as you say then no matter how high a delivery your reg is if there's no gass it can't deliver it
Well, my choice for propane (from the start of caravanning actually) has proven very useful the last few days. have been to Limburg just before Xmas and after Xmas again a number of days. A thick layer of snow and at least minus 6 at night.
I finished one bottle now.
It was fully covered with frost from gas-production!!! (the evaporation lowers the temperature even more, hence the failing of butane at 4 centigrade). Butane would have failed totally.