Butane Propane Mix

tom_tom_go · Post by **tom_tom_go** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 7:54 pm

Hi guys,

Am I right in saying that at this time of year given the temperatures we should be using Butane Propane mix gas?

I only ask as I am having real difficulty lighting up my Ragleth. The gas flow from the gas tank is sporadic and I can only fill it up a little bit. I have can hear the gas flow coming out of the gas tank (not connected to the loco at all) and it's not a constant flow (coughs, sputters).

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 8:29 pm

It depends on the ambient temperature, and dare I say it the loco. For example, my Russell had no trouble on straight butane running today. However, I have had some issues in the past when it gets below 5 degrees Celsius. These can be worked around though, such as keeping the gas indoors until you come to light the engine, once the loco warms up then you don't tend to have any issues. I'm not sure the issue you mention is to do with temperature, normally low temp causes low flow, not non constant flow.

steamie1 · Post by **steamie1** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 11:41 pm

On Ragleth I use Butane /Propane mix all year round and it's fine.

IrishPeter · Post by **IrishPeter** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:08 am

My usual rule of thumb is that if it below 50F/10C use 70% Butane & 30% Propane mixed gas. You can go a few degrees lower than that, but 45F/7C seems to be about the minimum, and I like the nice round numbers better. The mixed gas is (no pun intended) the best bang for your buck around here, as it is difficult to get straight butane other than as lighter fuel. Consequently, I tend to confine the use of butane only fuel to those days which are really warm, but I cannot go without an operating session!

Depending on where your water supply is kept it might be worth preheating. I do not bother as mine lives in the crawl space which is about 55F in winter and 70F in summer. Actually, in the worst weather both summer and winter, 'the crawler' is a lot more comfortable place to work in than the house!

Peter in AZ

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 8:35 am

As I understand it Butane boils at -0.5°C at atmospheric pressure which means practically your gas cannister must be at least 4.5°C to produce enough gas pressure.

I've used a butane/propane mix for my last 2 running days here in Scotland, and I had to keep my butane fired kitchen/BBQ lighter under my clothing to prevent it getting cold otherwise it refuses to light up.

Try heating up your gas cannister prior to filling, and you will need to warm up your gas tank as well after the transfer.

I picked up some Butane/Propane gas cheap from Lidl earlier this year which is sold for their flame weed killers.

Chris Cairns

tom_tom_go · Post by **tom_tom_go** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 9:18 am

I kept the loco inside all night and tried to light it this morning, no gas coming out at all now. Gas tank is full (kept gas inside all night as well).

Why can't things go back together properly when you take it apart. All I did was fit the cylinders back on after having the auto draincocks fitted

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:27 am

That's not good.

I was comparing notes with a fellow Ragleth owner earlier this year and he had similar problems with his gas tank. Turned out that there was still residue from the soldering process inside the tank which needed flushing out.

I was advised to flush out my gas tank on my Lumber Jack (kept getting a blocked jet) using something like acetone so I used some nail varnish remover.

You've said the gas regulator valve is not releasing the gas so you will need to press down on the gas filler valve to release the gas from the tank (no open flames nearby!). If you do not have the appropriate tool to remove the gas filler valve you can make one from a cheap screwdriver (usually the biggest size in a £1 shop jewellery set works) by cutting a slot in the middle so it will fit over the top of the filler valve pipe into the slots.

After my frustrating experience with that Lumber Jack I've taken to fitting coffee filter paper behind my gas jets (a Tag Gorton recommendation) to reduce the likelihood of a blocked jet (also stopped using Go System butane which was causing the blocked jets). Usually this paper is just folded up like a swiss roll, but for the Accucraft jet holder I've had to punch out 3.5mm disks of this paper and just place 6 disks behind the jet where they rest on a ledge.

Chris Cairns

tom_tom_go · Post by **tom_tom_go** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 8:20 pm

Thanks for all your comments.

I had another look this evening and I tested the gas tank connected to the gas valve only and gas came out although once connected back to the jet it would not.

Despite me checking the jet a couple of nights ago it was now blocked this time with a pink kind of glue substance. Once removed, all worked perfectly:

http://youtu.be/WLGD6Zp1ouI

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 11:27 pm

I had the same issue with my ragleth when I changed to mixed gas. The pink substance is actually the "smell" they add to the Tasso you know its there. I found once I had cleared the jet loco worked well for acupressure of runs and then blocked again. I changed the can of gas and haven't had the issue since. I put it Down to a dodgy batch where too much 'smell' got added to the mix

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