Box for Propane Tank

[stevenspainhower]

Howdy People!  I saw a couple of Youtube videos on building an airtight box, with a small vent through the floor, for a propane tank.  Is this really necessary?  I am finishing my van build and need to know.  Bob would probably say, Unless your valves are faulty, Heavens No ; but I want to hear more opinions.  Thanks.

 

[GypsyJan]

Does tank size matter? I only use the smallest ones.

 

[B and C]

I carry the little green one pounders inside in a cabinet. I also have a propane detector made for RV's.

Tests for leaks before using. Tanks with valves should have the valve always fully open or closed, no in betweens here.

 

[stevenspainhower]

Thanks, Gypsyjan and B and C!
I plan to use the full-sized, round, typical tank that's about 15" by 15" by 16", and when I searched propane tank in van on YouTube, it showed videos of making an airtight box that has a hole on bottom to vent. I don't know if that's necessary. I like the idea of a propane detector in the camper van. I may not have to drill through van floor to install PVC vent for safety. Maybe Bob will see my question and offer his opinion, too.

 

[nature lover]

Hi friends. I used to use the green “one pound s”. If every One would have used as many of them over the years as I have the desert would be a pilled high So I bought the refillable the Safe way. many people fill the green but they’re not as safe tp refill. and I am about to buy a 20 gallon tank with the apparatus To refill my own 1 gallon bottles I think that’s the environmentally friendly way to go. Of course I’m superior to everybody else in everything so why wouldn’t be I’ll be superior in it and if you believe that I’ll sell you some of the desert land full of the old propane cans.

 

[Nutball]

Howdy People!  I saw a couple of Youtube videos on building an airtight box, with a small vent through the floor, for a propane tank.  Is this really necessary?  I am finishing my van build and need to know.  Bob would probably say, Unless your valves are faulty, Heavens No ; but I want to hear more opinions.  Thanks.

I think that has to do with federal laws concerning van conversions. It’s the safest thing to do to prevent a leak from turning into an explosion. I sometimes worry about the 1 lb bottles in my truck when it gets hot. I bought one of those 1 gallon tanks, but I will keep it in the truck bed, not in the cab.

 

[stevenspainhower]

Thank you.

 

[desert_sailing]

I have got a 20 pounder  basically right against the small side door. I can see small bits of light coming in from the sidestep so I know there is some sort of "ventilation". ( I need new door seals)

Since propane is heavier than air, any accidental leak that may occur will find its way out fairly quick in my rig.

Of course a propane leak detector is good to have and CO detector.
I am more concerned about a leaky hose or valve than the idea of the tank inside the rig.

 

[MrNoodly]

I am more concerned about a leaky hose or valve than the idea of the tank inside the rig.

Yes. I suspect nearly all problems with propane are really about the connections and appliances, not the tanks themselves. When I had a tank (which was just strapped down inside my van) I would disconnect it when not in use, not just turn off whatever it was connected to.

 

[JohnnyM]

I've carried full-size propane tanks inside my vans and trucks for years and never had a problem. As MrNoodly says, the tanks themselves tend not to leak, so keep them shut off when not in use and you should be good to go. I don't use a propane detector myself, since the gas itself smells so strong that the tiniest amount of leakage identifies itself immediately. I do use a really good carbon monoxide gauge and alarm, though, and I keep an eye on it whenever I'm using the heater or stove.

I have a rig to refill the little green bottles out of the big propane tank. It takes some work to do the job, and the best you can do is to refill them about half full, but I do it because it really bugs me to throw them away and it actually works OK as long as you don't touch the little relief valves (the Schrader valves on the top side of the container, the ones that look like a tire valve). You can tell right away if they're going to leak or not. If they don't leak when you uncouple them from the big tank, you're good to go.

Johnny

 

[doublegregg]

i'm following this thread with interest.......but when people say turning off the valve is good, that sounds kind of dubious. valves do leak, they develop leaks, idk about propane valves... but i'm a propane wannabe, at best.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes, nothing is 100% and Murphy has a habit of showing up. but that is why you have backup systems like your nose and detectors. highdesertranger

 

[B and C]

Yep, nothing replaces a good propane detector, CO detector (both made for RV's) and smoke alarm and oh, your nose if you are awake.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Howdy People!  I saw a couple of Youtube videos on building an airtight box, with a small vent through the floor, for a propane tank.  Is this really necessary?  I am finishing my van build and need to know.  Bob would probably say, Unless your valves are faulty, Heavens No ; but I want to hear more opinions.  Thanks.

I use two refillable five pound tanks. I have a cabinet at floor  level with lines running to the heater and to the stove. It is part of my kitchen cupboards. It is simply a fancy plywood box that has been sealed at all joints with silicone sealant with a couple of holes in the bottom and some bits of garden hose pushed outside through the holes then sealed, it is accessed from the top door.. As mentioned propane sinks so the lid does not have to be super tight but should be as tight as possible. A propane detector is a good idea as well as it will tell you if you had a leak even if you can no longer smell it. A couple of years ago I had my tanks filled up and I set them behind the seat when I came back to the van several hours later i could smell propane, I opened up the van to air it out, and as I drove back to the propane man to  have it checked out I could hear a hiss coming from my tanks every once in while. Turns  out his scale had stuck and he accidentally overfilled one, so the release valve was doing it’s job. This can also happen if your tanks overheat. I am sure the officials that were told of the dangers on the port of Beirut also thought that it has been there for years so you are good to go about your life.

 

[Weight]

I carry my 20 pounder strapped tight in the back corner of the van. i am planing on a vent hole at the bottom. At this time there is a box over the tank so peepers don't see it. I have noticed all the posters that say it is no problem have had no problems. The others don't post much, but I do read about them in the news paper.

 

[highdesertranger]

one thing I have noticed is that once I saw a propane guy refuse to fill a tank because it was being transported in the passenger compartment.

has anybody ran into this?

highdesertranger

 

[B and C]

My propane grill tanks are transported in my SUV without a problem. They just want to make sure they are not going to roll around so I carry mine in milk crates (or what passes for them these days). I haven't seen a real milk crate in ages other than the one I have that is full of chain.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

i'm following this thread with interest.......but when people say turning off the valve is good, that sounds kind of dubious. valves do leak, they develop leaks, idk about propane valves... but i'm a propane wannabe, at best.

You can test your valves by leaving the burner on and turning the main valve off, if it goes out your valve is working, you can also test your system by turning off the burner, then the valve, leave it over night then light your burner without turning on your valve, it should light and burn for a minute or less depending on the length of your line. If that works out your valves are good and no leaks in your lines.

 

[B and C]

Soapy water in a spray bottle is the best way to test for leaks.

 

[bullfrog]

I have also been refused a fill because it was being transported in the passenger compartment which is why I park away from the filling area upon arriving and set the tank at the filling area, then go pay and get someone to fill it. Once filled I’ve only received warnings I shouldn’t transport it that way. I also put a safety cap on and that seems to satisfy them somewhat. I also use a milk crate to stabilize the bottle while transporting that is bolted in place. Now days with so many gas grills and such and SUVs I think they seldom request open transport even if it is legally required.