High altitude LPG burners

[Number 4]

We just enjoyed a week of dry camping at 7,200 feet amongst the pines and a lake stocked with rainbow trout. I happened to be re-reading some of the Suburban manuals and noticed a section on High Altitude Deration for the water heater. We did not use the water heater but I did notice the furnace flame was very yellow (nothing about deration in that manual). Now that we're back down close to sea level I plan to see if the furnace burns as it should with a nice blue flame. If not, I'll see if cleaning helps.

Has anyone "de-rated" their LPG appliances and if so, what is involved?

[Canonman]

We often camp above 8k ft. I have not checked the furnace flame, but we have used both the furnace and water heater with no issues. The flame on the stove burns with the normal blue flame so we have not thought to delve further into the altitude oxygen issue.
Would be interested in your findings regarding the water heater and furnace.

[AbHDToyHauler]

They do derate them and it does change with altitude (less oxygen at higher altitudes). Canonman what is your altitude where you normally live? Often they are adjusted prior to shipping to a specific area. At least that is true for natural gas furnaces and appliance which i am more familiar with then propane. So it might not be as noticeable because you are still within the "window" of adjustment for your gas appliance.

[mfifield01]

I haven't had any issues at altitude.

[Canonman]

SLC is just at 4200 ft. Cougar is the "Western Edition" made in Pendleton, OR, 1200 ft.
Thinking right now that it's working OK. If it ain't broke...

[Number 4]

Originally Posted by Canonman

We often camp above 8k ft. I have not checked the furnace flame, but we have used both the furnace and water heater with no issues. The flame on the stove burns with the normal blue flame so we have not thought to delve further into the altitude oxygen issue.
Would be interested in your findings regarding the water heater and furnace.

Finally a cool Saturday morning day off to check the furnace burner at close to sea level. Nice blue flame near the burners with wisps of yellow 1.5" above... not even close to the bright yellow at 7,200 feet. Previous owners didn't use the furnace very much since there's very little dust on the exterior or in the duct line going off to the left. An endoscope inspection of the exhaust port shows no soot buildup at all. Nice!


I now need to fire up the water heater in order to compare the "down here" flame to an "up there" flame. Considering the change in the furnace burner at altitude it seems that derating to a smaller burner orifice might be important if a majority of use is at higher altitudes.

[SC Dreamer]

Soot will normally collect on heat exchanger more so then exhaust port. It can cause lower efficiency and is also prone to being a fire hazard as soot is flammable.