1980 Shasta Motorhome LP Gas System

    The Shasta motorhome's LP gas system (Liquefied Petroleum) serves several functions, providing a power supply for the RV refrigerator, the hot water heater, and the motorhome's automatic ignition furnace. Extreme care and caution should always be used when working with LP gas. It can and will blow up in your face if you get careless. I've had several close calls myself and have developed a new respect for these things. You can not be too careful.

    It is recommended that you check the LP gas lines and connections regularly, as often as every thirty days or 5,000 miles of travel. To perform this check, turn off all of the motorhome's burners and pilot lights and open all of the windows and doors. Using soapy water (dish washing soap works great), is the fastest and easiest way to check the connections for gas leaks. The way I've always done this (on different LP gas tanks) is simply mix up a little soapy water in a small bowl and then using a rag or small paint brush, liberally coat each connection with the soapy water. If you see new bubbles forming around the connection, you have a leak. If no new bubbles form, you're good to go.

    Filling the LP gas tank - I've never filled an LP gas tank myself. I didn't even know you could. I've always taken mine to an LP gas supplier and had them fill it for me. I wouldn't recommend doing it myself, even if they let you, which I seriously doubt they will. Having said all that, here are instructions for filling an LP gas tank: Be certain the motorhome's engine is turned off and that all pilot lights have been extinguished. Close the LP gas tank service valve. Remove the LP filler valve cap and open the 20% liquid level gauge. The LP gas nozzle is inserted directly into the filler valve and the tank is filled to 80% of it's capacity. When liquid appears at either the filler valve or the 20% liquid level gauge, stop filling. Replace the filler valve cap and close the 20% liquid level gauge.

    The pressure of the LP gas regulator should be checked at the beginning of each travelling season. The correct line pressure is 11 inches of water column. It is recommended that your Shasta dealer or LP supplier perform this check.

    Lighting the range - Make sure the LP gas service valve is open, then light a match and hold it near the range burner. Turn the burner's control to full "ON." Trapped air in the line might make a blowing noise and may even put out your match. When all of the remaining air has escaped, the burner will light easily.

    Lighting the oven - Open the LP gas service valve all the way. Push and turn the oven control knob counterclockwise from "PILOTS OFF" to "OFF." Open the oven door and hold a lit match next to the constant pilot area near the rear of the oven compartment, just below the main oven burner. When the pilot remains lit, adjust the oven control knob to the required temperature setting.

    Lighting the water heater - Open the LP gas service valve. Turn the gas cock knob to "OFF." Wait five minutes to allow any built up gas to dissipate. The water heater is equipped with either a Robertshaw "UNITROL" thermostat, or the ITT General Control thermostat.

- Robertshaw "UNITROL" thermostat - Turn the gas cock knob counterclockwise to "PILOT." Press and hold the reset button while holding a lit match to the pilot burner. Release the reset button after the pilot has burned for one minute. Turn the gas cock knob to "ON."

- ITT General Control thermostat - Turn and hold the gas cock knob to the "PILOT" position while holding a lit match to the pilot burner. Release the reset button after the pilot has burned for one minute. Turn the gas cock knob to "ON."

continued on page 2 >>>