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Converting Westy stove to Coleman propane fuel...
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cheekoman
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:38 am    Post subject: Converting Westy stove to Coleman propane fuel... Reply with quote

Hey all:

I'm wondering if it's possible to convert my westy stove to operate on Coleman Fuel. I'm having trouble with the delivery of fuel from my 20yr old propane tank and dot' really feel like spending the money to have it all replaced.

I'm making an assumption that Coleman fuel is essentially the same? I'm also assuming i would need a couple of adapters or something like that.

Has anyone done this? Is it possible??

Thanks!
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r39o
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ain't Coleman fuel white gas?

Can you run a propane stove off white gas?
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rudar
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

well, generally ``coleman fuel'' does mean their white gas. But Coleman does also make propane stoves. I don't know if cheekoman means using the 1-lb disposable propane cartridges, or rigging the thing up to use a 20lb bulk tank... But either way, I'd be interested in options, as I had a rusted off breather tube and had the tank removed, so if there's a way cheaper than a new tank from gowesty to get the stove running, I'd consider it...
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tikibus
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Running a 1lb. Coleman Propane tank is not hard to do for the stove.

Get to a good hardware chain and look for the flex hose (yellow) that is for gas fired dryers.
If you have a crappy little cheap-o portable gas range use the regulator out of that. You'll need to do some reducing couplers to make the fit, it does work. If you don't have a regulator, you run the risk of uneven gas flow and the stove becomes a risky fire hazard. Check your local discount stores for a cheap-o regulator, Gander Mtn., Sprawl-Mart, etc., etc..

I thought my LP Gas fire bomb under the Westy was empty and found the solution above. Took the tank off and realized the double regulator was plugged up and faulty. Had a good scare when propane started to leak out when taking the regulator off!!!!!

The best bet is to do the loose fitting in the parking lot when getting the yellow hose and couplings. That way, if you don't get it right the first time, you still there. It took me a few tries to get it right!!!
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erdonline
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:12 pm    Post subject: Stove conversion Reply with quote

I do not think it is practical or even feasible to convert a propane stove to a liquid gas (Coleman fuel) stove. You'd have to have the generator which is the piece that atomizes the fuel as it gets to the burner, and I suspect the burner is different as well.

You can covert the other way, though. Adaptors are readily available to use propane with a liquid fuel stove.

Ed in CT
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backcountrymedic
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Amishman has what looks like an inlet connection to his stove propane line underneath the sink cabinet from a PO.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Why not do something like that, and add a 5# tank in the cabinet?
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cheekoman
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

These are all great options. My other question is..... if they call it coleman propane fuel... how is it not the same as a tank of propane lp?

If I can use the yellow hose and a 1lb tank that would be ideal. They are only $2.50 a pop and I can use them for both the stove and the coleman heater etc.
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Wellington
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Now you have clearly stated what you want. Propane is propane!
You want to use disposable 1lb bottles instead of the under floor tank. No problem, jest make the necessary conections, with regulator.
Coleman fuel is usually refered to as white gas, two different things, but making an adapter to use throw aways is definately possible.
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WVVWFERG
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For what it's worth, an addapter is available that allows you to REFILL the 1# (throw away)bottles from a 25# tank. That really brings down the cost, as opposed to buying numerous 1# bottles
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Wellington
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can you give us a line on this adapter please. I can't see it being widely advertised as the one pound bottles are clearly marked not to be refilled.
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msinabottle
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:35 pm    Post subject: Refilling the small cylinders Reply with quote

It's rather illegal. On the Federal D.O.T. level. It's illegal to possess or transport refilled smaller cylinders inside any vehicle in the United States.

I'd love a step-by-step on how to install a cylinders for the stove/tap out for a space heater rig. We'd probably have to design and purpose build it. I got got once when my propane ran out because I'd used tape on the valve fitting...

NO TAPES!

And it would have been nice to screw in a cylinder, also to run a hose to a small catalytic propane heater on a long cold night. All do-able, although nobody wants a gas leak.

Best!
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WVVWFERG
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In answer to Wellington's question, the adapters are available many places. Here is a link to Harbor Freight's http ://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45989 (or 'google' harbor Freight +propane). I've also seen them at Cabella's, etc.
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mightyart
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas/50525.htm

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas-parts-1.htm
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Basilbomb
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wellington wrote:
Can you give us a line on this adapter please. I can't see it being widely advertised as the one pound bottles are clearly marked not to be refilled.


Propane conatainers are engineered to have 20% free space to allow expansion and contraction of the propane according to temperature. This would be very tricky with those small bottles. If this expansion space is not present, you have a bomb. Shocked
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mobowesty
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

At the risk of hijacking this thread, has anyone successfully rigged their Westy for a 25# BBQ tank by removing the stock tank? I ask because I broke the bleeder valve on my rusty stock tank. Rather than R&R the stock set up , it seems like it'd be cheaper to remove the tank altogether and get hoses/adapters from MightyArt's links and simply hook up the 25# tank when I get to the camp site. I could also set up a distribution tree on the tank and feed lanterns, stoves, heaters, etc...

I have another reason for wanting to get rid of the on-board propane tank - tunnels! Shocked Long story short, I took the Westy to pick up my Sister-in-law at Logan Airport and ended getting a police escort out of East Boston because they wouldn't let me back through the Ted Williams tunnel with my dangerous rig - never mind that I went through the tunnel on my way in and my propane tank has been bone dry empty empty for years...

I figure I can strap the 25# tank up on the luggage rack during transport. Thoughts?

Thanks.

Craig
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tikibus
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PM Danfromsyr. Good guy and trys out new ideas with LP ( hasn't exploded himself up so far...)

I believe he set his Riveria up with a #25-er and does what MightArt has done too.

A 5# sounds ideal for cross country travel and what not. Never liked the idea of a LP tank moving at 60MPH a foot or more off a spark inducing road Shame on you call me paranoid or chicken... ( add feathers, oh and don't forget the beak)

25# is alot of LP to tote around, but who am I to say what's right...

If need be, try out a Welding or Tractor Supply store. for hoses and t's.
Gander Mtn. has some items like that and Cabella (sp), etc. etc.
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bucko
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wellington wrote:
Now you have clearly stated what you want. Propane is propane!
You want to use disposable 1lb bottles instead of the under floor tank. No problem, jest make the necessary conections, with regulator.
Coleman fuel is usually refered to as white gas, two different things, but making an adapter to use throw aways is definately possible.


So, now we need the adaptor and/or regulator to allow the 1# Colman disposable containers to work with our stove top.

My Westy came from Germany, and the tank underneath the vehicle was removed. There is a regulator to the left of the refrigerator that allows an LP tank to be installed. There is even a strap that was added by a previous owner to hold the tank. However, I would prefer to use those Colman disposable tanks too, so I'm goint to the sporting goods store to see if they have a regulator to allow these small tanks to connect into our system.
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erdonline
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:28 am    Post subject: propane tanks Reply with quote

You mention strapping a 25# (I think the grill size ones are actually 20#) tank on the luggage rack. That still won't get you through a tunnel. As far as I know, all bottled gases are prohibited from tunnels, whether the tank is installed permanently or not. I don't think you could enter if they saw a one pound tank sitting on your front seat.

Ed
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mobowesty
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ed, you're right about that... I'd leave the tank home except for camping. No tunnels to worry about when I'm heading from Central Mass. (where I live) to VT, NH, or Cape Cod Smile
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r39o
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Somewhere, recently, I saw a picture of a bottle under the sink. Just like people who remove the shelf under the sink for a microwave oven, you could do the same for a bottle of propane. That would be stealth like.

Now what are they going to do when the Hydrogen powered cars become mainstream?????? Those would make a far bigger boom than the 3 gallons we have under our vans. When was the last time you saw a picture of a Westy theat went boom because of the propane tank? I can't remember ever seeing a picture. Please, please, if I am wrong, someone show or post a link to a picture of a Westy that went boom.
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