How cold before propane will stop working?

[Jay Pat]

The forecast is 1 degree for Monday night.
Thanks! Pat

 

[Second Chance]

If it gets below -44F propane won't evaporate (liquid to gas in the tank) and will cause low pressure issues in your system. We've been in the "upper" single digits without any problems - other than burning through a lot of propane!

Rob

 

[Jay Pat]

If it gets below -44F propane won't evaporate (liquid to gas in the tank) and will cause low pressure issues in your system. We've been in the "upper" single digits without any problems - other than burning through a lot of propane!

Rob

Looks like I will be ok.
I have drained the water system.
I'm running the heater anyway.
Thank you!!
Pat

 

[Bungy]

The forecast is 1 degree for Monday night.
Thanks! Pat

Ive used propane in an industrial setting down to -40 and below but had to cover tank and provide external heat (heat lamp etc).

 

[Second Chance]

Looks like I will be ok.
I have drained the water system.
I'm running the heater anyway.
Thank you!!
Pat

It's good you're running the furnace - just draining the water system isn't enough. There will still be water in low places in the lines, P-traps, and the water pump. Everything would need to be blown with a compressor or pumped with antifreeze, the pump run dry, and antifreeze in the P-traps for complete protection without heat.

Rob

 

[D2Reid]

We got down to -22 and still had heat and stove. The propane tanks are covered which helps protect from chilling effect of wind. I have seen some folks with electric blankets for their propane tanks, supposedly it make them more efficient. Engineers know, I don't.

One odd thing you may think about; the gas evaporation refrigerators will quit when it get that cold. Easiest way to prevent that is to put a light bulb inside the refrigerator compartment. The RV refrigerators usually have an outlet near them to plug into, just add a 100 watt light bulb.

 

[Txfivver]

The forecast is 1 degree for Monday night.
Thanks! Pat

This is crazy right?? San Antonio forecast for Monday night is 3-7 degrees, they're not sure yet lol! I got mine back from the dealer Wednesday and it's tucked away in enclosed storage. I don't winterize mine so the furnace is on 50 degrees and the tank heaters and water heater are on. The storage room usually stays 10-15 degrees above outside temp so other than burning some propane it will be fine. Thank goodness for 50 amp service, this is too cold for South Texas!!

 

[fmartinmn]

This is crazy right?? San Antonio forecast for Monday night is 3-7 degrees, they're not sure yet lol! I got mine back from the dealer Wednesday and it's tucked away in enclosed storage. I don't winterize mine so the furnace is on 50 degrees and the tank heaters and water heater are on. The storage room usually stays 10-15 degrees above outside temp so other than burning some propane it will be fine. Thank goodness for 50 amp service, this is too cold for South Texas!!

We left MN on Tue thinking we were headed to a warmer climate. 8F last night in Austin, TX. Propane is going fast.
Rolling blackouts are a PITA, hard to supplement furnace with fireplace.

 

[triplethreat]

We got down to -22 and still had heat and stove. The propane tanks are covered which helps protect from chilling effect of wind. I have seen some folks with electric blankets for their propane tanks, supposedly it make them more efficient. Engineers know, I don't.

One odd thing you may think about; the gas evaporation refrigerators will quit when it get that cold. Easiest way to prevent that is to put a light bulb inside the refrigerator compartment. The RV refrigerators usually have an outlet near them to plug into, just add a 100 watt light bulb.

You do realize that "wind chill" has no effect on metal objects other than to speed up the cooling effect until that object reaches the ambient temperature!

 

[D2Reid]

You do realize that "wind chill" has no effect on metal objects other than to speed up the cooling effect until that object reaches the ambient temperature!

Xrated you are correct.

I did use the term chilling effect as opposed to wind chill. And I agree with you, the use of air movement that speeds up the cooling effect would have been a better use of words. I liken the idea I was trying to convey as the faster transfer of temperature as a result of air moving across an object. Kind of like blowing on hot soup to cool it more quickly.

I have often admitted to being functionally illiterate. This makes it difficult for me accurately communicate ideas. Doesn't make the idea wrong, just the way I say it is.

I apologize if anyone thinks I was misleading or untruthful. That is never my intention. And when I am wrong about something, I will admit it.

 

[triplethreat]

Xrated you are correct.

I did use the term chilling effect as opposed to wind chill. And I agree with you, the use of air movement that speeds up the cooling effect would have been a better use of words. I liken the idea I was trying to convey as the faster transfer of temperature as a result of air moving across an object. Kind of like blowing on hot soup to cool it more quickly.

I have often admitted to being functionally illiterate. This makes it difficult for me accurately communicate ideas. Doesn't make the idea wrong, just the way I say it is.

I apologize if anyone thinks I was misleading or untruthful. That is never my intention. And when I am wrong about something, I will admit it.

OK, Now I'm going to have to totally Disagree with you! Functionally Illiterate??? I don't think so, I've seen many of your posts/replies on here and that would likely be one of the last things I would think of you.....functionally Illiterate! It's all good and I appreciate your comments, thoughts, and your contributions to this forum. At the end of the day, hopefully what we can all accomplish here is to help others with this thing that we all love.....camping and the happy and fun pursuit of that hobby!

 

[Calnca]

Here in NW Arkansas it's been cold for a while and this weekend was REALLY cold.....especially since we just moved here from SoCal, and blood is still a tad bit thin.

Going through a LOT of propane.....purchased two 40lb tanks to supplement the stock 30 pounders.

Using fireplace and an additional "ceramic" heater.......keeping it in the 60's in the coach.

Biggest issue is water........we have heated hose.....good to 20 below, but even with heat tape the "bib" keeps freezing up.

 

[Richter]

...Biggest issue is water........we have heated hose.....good to 20 below, but even with heat tape the "bib" keeps freezing up.

You may find it helpful to fill your water tank, then run the pump for water. It should stay thawed if the basement is heated. As needed, you can refill the tank, then put the hose away so that it does not freeze up. In some sites, the “bib” actually has a below-ground shutoff, so that it does not freeze up when it is shut off.

 

[GeoffnCheri]

Here in NW Arkansas it's been cold for a while and this weekend was REALLY cold.....especially since we just moved here from SoCal, and blood is still a tad bit thin.

Going through a LOT of propane.....purchased two 40lb tanks to supplement the stock 30 pounders.

Using fireplace and an additional "ceramic" heater.......keeping it in the 60's in the coach.

Biggest issue is water........we have heated hose.....good to 20 below, but even with heat tape the "bib" keeps freezing up.

When we were winter camping at Mt. Magazine with full hookups, we opted for the previous recommendation. Filled the water tank and the disconnected and drained the hose. Refilled the fresh water tank as needed. I also dropped a section of the basement wall and plugged in a ceramic heater in the belly of the beast.

 

[RV Sailor]

If it gets below -44F propane won't evaporate (liquid to gas in the tank) and will cause low pressure issues in your system. We've been in the "upper" single digits without any problems - other than burning through a lot of propane!

Rob

Great advice

 

[Calnca]

Thanks for the input.....at this point we're leaving a "trickle" running overnight.....seems to be OK......by the end of the week it will be nice here so shouldn't have any issues after today and tomorrow.

 

[D2Reid]

Thanks for the input.....at this point we're leaving a "trickle" running overnight.....seems to be OK......by the end of the week it will be nice here so shouldn't have any issues after today and tomorrow.

Check from time to time that the trickle is getting all the way through the system. If there is a kink in the sewer hose or a low spot it's possible it can freeze up and cause a clog, then back the whole system up. Waking up to overflowing water is not very fun. Mopping before morning coffee sets a bad tone for the whole day.

 

[Calnca]

Check from time to time that the trickle is getting all the way through the system. If there is a kink in the sewer hose or a low spot it's possible it can freeze up and cause a clog, then back the whole system up. Waking up to overflowing water is not very fun. Mopping before morning coffee sets a bad tone for the whole day.

Thanks Dallas,

Indeed......that would get the DW in a mood, don't want/need that.

Have checked a couple of times today.......trickle is coming out......hose has a decent slope to it.....I'll keep my eye on it.

 

[imrvman]

How cold before propane stops working

If it gets below -44F propane won't evaporate (liquid to gas in the tank) and will cause low pressure issues in your system. We've been in the "upper" single digits without any problems - other than burning through a lot of propane!

Rob

I'm from Canada and had propane tanks freeze up at higher temperatures than that. I've had 30 pound tanks freeze up at -10 to 15C (-15C is about 5F). Tank size is the biggest factor as smaller tanks have a bigger surface area to the volume of gas therefore the gas cools quicker than in a larger tank. I ski and park the 5th wheel every year in Whistler so to avoid that problem I rent a couple of 100 pound tanks. The Venturi effect of releasing gas from the tank also lowers the temperature of the tank below that of air temperature. Elevation above sea level can also effect the pressure in the tank and cause a freeze up sooner that expected.

 

[Jay Pat]

OP, here.
Got down to about 5 degrees two nights in a row.
Had the thermostat set at 62 degrees.
Have a couple of remote thermostat sending units and set one in the rv and one just outside the nautilus system, in the storage area.
From the house, I could monitor the rv temps.
Also, left both sink cabinets open.
In the rv, showed 60 degrees and the other one showed about 46 degrees. Cooler in the storage area.
Used 4 30lb bottles.
Success!