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cheekoman Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2006 Posts: 346 Location: Burlington, VT
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:38 am Post subject: Converting Westy stove to Coleman propane fuel... |
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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 Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Ain't Coleman fuel white gas?
Can you run a propane stove off white gas? _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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rudar Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2006 Posts: 53 Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2006 Posts: 834 Location: Rochester, NY
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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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!!! _________________ Happy Trails!
Mark
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Founding member of the Empire State VW Camping Club.
http://www.empirevwcamping.org/
1984 Westy - Tiki
1997 Honda Civic -The Green Hornet
1971 Volvo P-1800E- needs TLC |
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erdonline Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2004 Posts: 943 Location: CT
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:12 pm Post subject: Stove conversion |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2006 Posts: 583 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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Amishman has what looks like an inlet connection to his stove propane line underneath the sink cabinet from a PO.
Why not do something like that, and add a 5# tank in the cabinet? _________________ No need to bear the weight of your worries, you let them all fall away...
Sector 9 longboard
Kona Kikapu Deluxe MTB
Novarra Big Buzz
Electra Cruiser
'01 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 |
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cheekoman Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2006 Posts: 346 Location: Burlington, VT
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:42 am Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004 Posts: 1890 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:15 am Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2005 Posts: 233 Location: Charleston, West Virginia
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:49 am Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004 Posts: 1890 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:35 pm Post subject: Refilling the small cylinders |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2005 Posts: 233 Location: Charleston, West Virginia
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:40 am Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2004 Posts: 6188 Location: Portland, Oregon
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Basilbomb Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2006 Posts: 871
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:45 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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mobowesty Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2005 Posts: 101 Location: Central Massatucky
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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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! 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 _________________ ############################
86 Westy 2.1 wbx - off the road this year
and an "Empire of Junk"
My wife's photography site: http://www.lisadavenock.com |
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tikibus Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2006 Posts: 834 Location: Rochester, NY
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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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 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. _________________ Happy Trails!
Mark
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Founding member of the Empire State VW Camping Club.
http://www.empirevwcamping.org/
1984 Westy - Tiki
1997 Honda Civic -The Green Hornet
1971 Volvo P-1800E- needs TLC |
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bucko Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2004 Posts: 2617 Location: Coppell, Texas
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2004 Posts: 943 Location: CT
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Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:28 am Post subject: propane tanks |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2005 Posts: 101 Location: Central Massatucky
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Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:50 am Post subject: |
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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 _________________ ############################
86 Westy 2.1 wbx - off the road this year
and an "Empire of Junk"
My wife's photography site: http://www.lisadavenock.com |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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