Butane to Propane conversion

[george2064]

How to I convert a Butane system to use propane gas in the US? Is it a matter of changing the bottle and fitting to connect to the bottle?

[Tricolor]

Yep, that's it...

[travellerw]

We switch back and forth every couple of weeks.

We have regulators that screw directly to the bottle. One for butane, one for propane. The regulator is the only change.

[44'cruisingcat]

Propane has a higher vapour pressure than butane. You'll need to fit a regulator.

[Tricolor]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Propane has a higher vapour pressure than butane. You'll need to fit a regulator.

Pardon, interesting can you tell us more....

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Tricolor

Pardon, interesting can you tell us more....

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/propane-butane-mix-d_1043.html

[Tricolor]

Still not understand "you'll need to install a regulator"
Does this mean that no regulator is needed with butane.
Please explain what you mean.

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by Tricolor

Still not understand "you'll need to install a regulator"
Does this mean that no regulator is needed with butane.
Please explain what you mean.

Not sure what wasn't clear in this thread..

You need 2 regulators.. ONE FOR PROPANE, ONE FOR BUTANE.. and a way to join the new regulator to the existing hose (usually a threaded fitting in the propane locker). That is it..

[sailorchic34]

Butane has a vapor pressure of about 24 psig where as propane has a vapor pressure of 120-150 psi. A butane regulator "Might" work for propane, but it might not. A propane regulator should work with butane, but it might not. depends on the manufacture of the regulator.

Best / Safest way is to have a propane regulator and a butane regulator. The difference is the spring rate in the regulator

[Tricolor]

As the connection on a butane and propane bottle are different the regulators are just by connecting type not inter-changeable. Rail mounted regulators are by design usable for butane, propane and a mixture of both types of gasses.

Because of this fact I don't understand the response about pressures etc.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by Tricolor

As the connection on a butane and propane bottle are different the regulators are just by connecting type not inter-changeable. Rail mounted regulators are by design usable for butane, propane and a mixture of both types of gasses.

Because of this fact I don't understand the response about pressures etc.

Not all regulators are the same. While many butane regulators can work with propane as well, that is not a given everywhere. Butane's vapor pressure, that is the gas pressure in the tank, is 1/5 that of propane, (24 psig for butane and 125 psig ish for propane).

I would expect that there exists some regulators that have orifices and or spring rates that might restrict their use with propane or visa versa. Note: I use to read the Fisher Regulator design catalog for fun, way back when.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Tricolor

As the connection on a butane and propane bottle are different the regulators are just by connecting type not inter-changeable. Rail mounted regulators are by design usable for butane, propane and a mixture of both types of gasses.

Because of this fact I don't understand the response about pressures etc.

Because butane has a much lower vapour pressure some stoves designed for butane don't even have a regulator. If you attempt to simply connect propane its possible that the stove will explode or leak.

Propane needs to be run through a regulator to reduce the pressure.

[Mr B]

Thanks, Thats great,
I had a propane cooker that came with my boat, But couldnt get it to work as it flamed out,
Im using Butane, I now have a new regulator that I havent tried yet, So I hope that works,
That explains why it was flaming out, Too much pressure through it,

I thought the cooker was just cactus, I was scratching my head with it,

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Thanks, Thats great,
I had a propane cooker that came with my boat, But couldnt get it to work as it flamed out,
Im using Butane, I now have a new regulator that I havent tried yet, So I hope that works,
That explains why it was flaming out, Too much pressure through it,

I thought the cooker was just cactus, I was scratching my head with it,

You're using butane in Melbourne, Mr B?

My understanding is that on a cold night, you'll not get much cooking out of a butane cylinder.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Alan Mighty

You're using butane in Melbourne, Mr B?

My understanding is that on a cold night, you'll not get much cooking out of a butane cylinder.

What ever they put in 12 Lb, swap and go bottles Alan, The B-B-Que bottles, I thought it was butane,
Its to run this cooker, Pictured,

My little gas cooker is Butane, But thats a single burner one, I carry it on my bike,