How to carry propane safely?

[Gypsy Jane]

"#" ? We use "lb." for expressing pound weight here.

Really? I've been abbreviating pounds "#" since grade school.


Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

 

[LeeRevell]

We attended different schools. Nuff said.

 

[John61CT]

Found this: http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products/load-securing/gas-bottle-holders/gas-bottle-holder-4-0kg-_rgbh4

I really like the look of the Rhino-Rack HD line, even have tents that work in conjunction with some nice awning systems. Check out the Foxwing, those Aussies are pretty ingenious!

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/shade/

All this is by the by, not planning on mounting 100+ lbs of gas on top no matter how secure. . .

 

[John61CT]

Anyone seen setups where the under tanks aren't right on the side, more in the middle?

Standard to run the level guage sensor to a remote on the dash, but what about a "remote panel" with the filler port and fixed-level guage (fill bleed/spitter valve) mounted where it's easy to fill up rather than having to crawl under?

Googling has led me to an eBay vendor "propane-kits" that sells these, but after looking carefully at what's included, it seems standard fittings / hose and a friendly machine/metal shop would be both better and cheaper.

 

[GaryGary]

Hi,
The propane compartment pictured near the front of this thread is my van -- here is the whole story on the install:
http://www.buildagreenrv.com/our-co...van-conversion-installing-the-propane-system/

We like this arrangement.   Our old RV had a tank mounted under the frame and the exposure to weather and road mud etc. made for short component life and lots of replacements for things like gages and regulators.

Also like the idea that we can exchange empty tank for full tank at thousand and thousands and thousands of places and it only takes a couple of minutes.

You mention wanting to use a propane fridge.  Not sure if you have lived with one of these before or not, but just in case you have not.  We had propane fridges in our last two RV's and I was determined not to do that again when we did the ProMaster conversion.  We did a 12 volt electric compressor fridge on the new van and like it a lot more.  The propane fridges are inefficient, have to  be level to work, and are so slow to cool down that you have to wait hours just to see if its actually working, or maybe you are not quite level enough.   Many of the propane fridges have an electric mode, but they are so inefficient that you can't really use this mode unless hooked up to shore power.
The electric fridge we have (Norcold 751) uses 48 amp-hrs on a warm day -- not much, but it is  our largest electric load and made us go up to a two golf cart size batteries to give us a couple days without hookup.

Propane for cooking and space heating has worked fine for us.

Gary

 

[John61CT]

Yes I'm OK with this setup wrt safety issues, as long as there are working alarms and the box is well sealed and vented outside.

Space is the big problem, cold weather may use well over a gallon a day, and I want to be able to remote boondock a couple of weeks, going back in for food rather than fuel, so ideally we'll be able to carry ~100# or so.

OT but yes I have lived with propane fridges & lighting, in fact for several years completely off grid in the outback. But I agree, these days a decent solar/battery setup and proper compressor fridge is the way to go, albeit a pricey one.

Maybe do both? in which case use the compressor box just to freeze the meat and make ice for coolers, max flexibility plus belt & suspenders redundancy.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Hi,
The propane compartment pictured near the front of this thread is my van -- here is the whole story on the install:
http://www.buildagreenrv.com/our-co...van-conversion-installing-the-propane-system/

Your website is excellent.  Really enjoyed looking through it.  Like your propane set up too.  Think i'll go a similar route when the time comes.

 

[Milk Hauler]

I have a lil closet in my big rig, a 20lb tank fits into it with room to spare

.

Big buddy heater 24" below it on floor. No issues driving 600+ miles a day, 5 days a week. I used a brand new tank, new hose and filter, and I used a generous amount of tread tape. Cut corners, and you will see the coroner. [emoji53]

When I do my van build out, I will use this same set up. I think a propane tank is safer inside, rather strapped to your rear bumper. God forbid you get rear ended. It wont end nicely. [emoji33]

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

[djkeev]

Nice photos MilkHauler, thanks for posting them.

My concern with your set up is with the ability for the plastic cabinet to hold a 20lb steel bottle secure in a front impact.
If you stop instantaneously, anything heavy and unrestrained isn't going to stop with the vehicle and will come forward to seriously injure or kill you.

Dave

 

[Milk Hauler]

Nice photos MilkHauler, thanks for posting them.

My concern with your set up is with the ability for the plastic cabinet to hold a 20lb steel bottle secure in a front impact.
If you stop instantaneously, anything heavy and unrestrained isn't going to stop with the vehicle and will come forward to seriously injure or kill you.

Dave

Thanks. I forgot to include this mount, which is on the way from Amazom... If anything will hit me in a wreck, it will be my 40" tv with its cheap plastic stand, a PS3 sitting on my bed, dvds, a roku box, 10-15 apples, 3 or 4 flashlights, a microwave, 500w inverter etc... However I have a bad habit of forgetting my seat belt, so I'll have other problem to worry about in a wreck. [emoji33]

Yeah, I know I need to put that stuff up amd wear my safety belt. Laziness may literally "bite me" one day. I need more under bed storage.

Not the best scenario, but I have to make due with what room I have. I originally wanted to mount tank on the rear catwalk, but worry about making a sharp turn and hitting the tank with the corner of the trailer.

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

[Virgil Jones]

The odds are high that no matter how you carry Propane, you'll be fine.

But......

There's always that unlucky person.......



Dave

WOW

 

[tbair]

Yes I'm OK with this setup wrt safety issues, as long as there are working alarms and the box is well sealed and vented outside.

Space is the big problem, cold weather may use well over a gallon a day, and I want to be able to remote boondock a couple of weeks, going back in for food rather than fuel, so ideally we'll be able to carry ~100# or so.

OT but yes I have lived with propane fridges & lighting, in fact for several years completely off grid in the outback. But I agree, these days a decent solar/battery setup and proper compressor fridge is the way to go, albeit a pricey one.

Maybe do both? in which case use the compressor box just to freeze the meat and make ice for coolers, max flexibility plus belt & suspenders redundancy.

If you are thinking of really cold weather, below 0F or more, internal storage also has the advantage of providing some warmth to the propane. Depending on the temperature and rate of use, you can wind up with less usable propane and some usability issues -- no vapor. I try to provide some insulation to my compartment without compromising the venting when out in the cold, again below 0F  is where it becomes an issue with a 20 pound bottle for me.

 

[John61CT]

Not as much an issue with bigger tanks.

When it is, I routinely fill smaller bottles from the big ones, can always bring a 1# or larger indoors into the living space if needed.

PS a hot water bottle or electric blanket helps in a pinch, various scenarios

Just don't do it this way

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/images/2011/02/SDC18974.jpg