Butane or Propane (1 Viewer)

[Zebra]

Sorry for my lazyness in not searching for the answer to my initial question... Either butane or propane has a lower level of volatility doesn't it? So, one is better for use in the winter? Question 1, which one is better to use in the winter and, Question 2 has anyone had problems with the 'unsuitable winter one', if you see what I mean!?

Ta.

 

[Tony Lee]

Propane boils at well below normal winter temperatures so is the best for all seasons, but butane boils at around zero C so will not be of any use below about 5 C unless you have some way of heating the tank.

Winter use is one area when users of autogas can come unstuck because it is generally a mixture of the two gases but no way of knowing what percentage of each is in your tank. Filling up in the summer may result in a tank full of butane and if that is then used in the winter, you may have problems

Note -- this problem doesn't exist in LPG-powered cars because the fuel is drawn off as a liquid and then either direct injected into the engine or evaporated in a unit heated by the engine coolant.
For use in a motorhome, the fuel is extracted from the tank as a gas, so boiling points are important

 

[Camperian]

Overwintered in Spain last year with butane. BIG MISTAKE!!!!

Several nights the temp dropped below 5C and had to sit freezing or stay in bed until ambient outdoor temp rose above 7C to get the heating started. Now have a Spanish propane bottle for this winter, so will be warm at night.

In the UK gas is sold with a higher % of propane anyway for on-board tanks but when buying bottles always go for propane.

Ian

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[derek h]

Overwintered in Spain last year with butane. BIG MISTAKE!!!!



In the UK gas is sold with a higher % of propane anyway for on-board tanks but when buying bottles always go for propane.

Ian

What are we saying here ? Only buy propane? Do you mean all year or only use butane during the summer ?
To say you have me confused may be an understatement.oh:

 

[Braunston]

Hi,

For simplicity only buy Propane, it works all year round, where ever you are

hope that helps

Braunston

What are we saying here ? Only buy propane? Do you mean all year or only use butane during the summer ?
To say you have me confused may be an understatement.oh:

 

[Camperian]

Sorry derek h

I was trying to be be too brief.

Braunston has it it right and I totally agree with him.

Ian

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[madbluemad]

Hi

My mh manual tells me in bold capital letters USE PROPANE. DO NOT USE BUTANE.

I am told by my Local Calor Dealer that the popane gas that goes into the Calor Gas propane cylinder is the same as the gas that goes in to the autogas tank.

Use propane

Cheers

Jim :thumb:

 

[pappajohn]

someone told me that propane has a slightly higher calorific value so burns a bit hotter than butane.........dont know if its true and of coarse it works in winter :thumb:

 

[Reallyretired]

Propane is the one to use all the year round, however butane is denser (15kg in the same bottle as 13kg propane) and the longer chain molecule means you will get more energy per bottle.
I don't suppose anyone would notice the difference however, especially as it wont work when you most need itoh:

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[derek h]

:Blush:
Things are so much clearer now. I think !
Got me self into a reet state. Calming down now.
Thank you one and all.

 

[Zebra]

Thank you

Ok. Thank you everyone who answered.