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06-27-2008, 08:32 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Healdsburg
Posts: 9
M.O.C. #8497
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Natural Gas Or Propane Use In Montanas
Is it possible to use natural gas as a substitute for propane if it is available in a trailer park? I am not sure how a safe and legal connection can be made to the inlet piping somewhere if so. Are the appliances all designed for propane alone? Thanks for responses.
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06-28-2008, 12:58 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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Chris, I think that it would be a logistics problem as I believe (among other things) that you need a much higher volume of NG to get the same BTUs as propane - indicating much larger tanks. That is just my first thought and I could be wrong. Others will be by to correct or add.
Secondly, fridges and furnaces designed for RV are all specifically made for propane or propane/elect only. Have not heard of any NG appliances in any RV.
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06-28-2008, 01:06 AM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Fairfield Glade
Posts: 216
M.O.C. #6892
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You might be able to, but it all depends on how the manufacturer designed each one of the appliances in your unit. Some might require a conversion kit or might not be convertible at all. The only way to tell is to check your installation manuals or, better yet, actually confirm with each manufacturer what is required (if it can be done). I suspect it's probably a long shot to make the switch.
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06-28-2008, 02:10 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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I believe you have to change the jets (devices that deliver the gas). I would not want to do that every time I moved or changed parks. Therefore, I think it would only be effective if you perminately parked your Monty.
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06-28-2008, 03:20 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
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If it is doable, John is right about the jets.You would have to convert each appliance that is propane dependent, i.e., the refrigerator, furnace, water heater, and oven. I agree, it should not be done unless there is a long term or permanent stay. Since LPG is heavier than air, you have the propane detector. I don't think the NG is as heavy and there may be some complications with safety. The mercaptans (the skunk odor in Natural Gas) generally provide leak detection if you can smell. There also may be city codes to deal with when hooking into NG services. Since I have no experience with a conversion, treat this as speculation on my part. Others from the HVAC industry may be of better help since they do conversions.
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07-03-2008, 07:46 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: merced
Posts: 983
M.O.C. #6171
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It can be done, I have converted stoves, barbequs, and HV/AC units from Propane to Natural gas. Jets need to be enlarge due to the fact that the NG molaculs are larger than those of the Propane. I would only do it if you in for a very long term stay. Not easy, or cost effective to do very often. You would also need to check local codes.
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07-03-2008, 09:00 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: lebanon
Posts: 466
M.O.C. #1977
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If you hook up to natural gas without changing jets YOU CAN HAVE A MELTDOWN at the least. The instructions that come with your propane gas grille explains it very clearly. Yes I have seen what can happen to appliances that weren't changed correctly
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