Propane information

[Bev]

I am going to begin my first long trip, up to this point I have limited my voyage to week long excursions. So here is my question? I have been using those little green propane bottles, but I have been thinking about purchasing a tank of propane, thinking in the long run that it would be cheaper. But my nephew said not to put a larger tank in my van. He said the chance of a leak is not worth the cost savings. So can I get advice, does anyone else travel with a tank, or do you stick to the little bottles? What is the true safety or danger of getting a tank?
Thanks!!

 

[CosmickGold]

I have two large propane bottles in my van. Between them is a regulator that automatically switches from one bottle to the other when one goes empty and shows red in a little window to let me know the tank the dial points to is empty, so I can replace it instead of being unpleasantly surprised in the middle of a cold night.

Leaking was indeed a problem! Even though well tightened, joints in the copper piping still leaked a little until I used the gel inside each joint that is made for that purpose. Also, propane is heavier than air, so I covered the tanks with a plastic propane tank cover after drilling a 2-inch hole in the floor under the tanks to let any leaked propane sink out of the van. And of course, I have a propane-leak alarm that runs from my 12v house battery. (Unlike smoke detectors, propane-leak detectors draw enough electricity that you need to connect them to your 12-volt system.

Propane tanks have a little valve near the top that is their cooling system! If the weather gets too warm, causing the pressure inside the tank to build up too high, that valve opens enough to let some liquid propane evaporate and escape the tank through the valve. This cools the same way the re-circulated freon in an airconditioner cools, the difference being that a propane tank doesn't have a compressor to condense and recirculate the escaped propane.

So then you've got loose propane in your van! The correct solution to the loose propane floating around is that hole in the floor, and a sealed cover over your tanks; along with the 12v alarm, just in case you did something wrong.

 

[Bev]

Thanks for the information! Looks like I need to arrange a specific spot to carry a tank safety before I head out. I experienced a little bit of panic lol. I am realizing that camping is just a touch different from my plan of eventually being a full time nomad. Dialing everything down to being safe and comfortable so I can enjoy travel.

 

[[email protected]]

I have transported the refillable lp tanks for years with no problems. They are much heavier gauge metal than the throw aways. As they hold a much larger supply of propane inside you will have fewer times that you need to make connections to the bottles, that is usually when you have a leak. Cost wise there is a considerable savings over time with the refillable bottle

 

[Bev]

I have been researching the tanks and the hoses and connections. This morning I am going to a supply shop in the neighboring town. And my nephew is coming over on Friday to help me arrange/build a cabinet for a tank, or possibly 2 tanks, he will let me know when he gets into the space and see what he is working with. My build is pretty basic, bed and one cabinet for a kitchen area, I have plenty of room (besides the basics I wanted to live in the van for a while before I really did a more detailed build) for me the basics was sleeping and a small kitchen. I have plenty of room for creativity for the future. I am getting kind of excited because traveling alone I want to be as self sufficient as possible.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Bev, a super simple way to transport the 20# tank (normal BBQ grill size) is to use a standard milk crate: the tank will fit snugly and if the milk crate is fastened to the floor, then a couple of rubber bungees will hold the tank in place during rough road travel and even some resistance to minor accidents.

Also, if you hookup to a small heater in the van, make sure to use a flexible hose (with regulator) from the tank to the appliance.

 

[bullfrog]

Buy the more expensive hose with the Teflon inner core as it will not deteriorate as quickly and stop up things!

 

[Bev]

Thank you so much! I am grateful for the information!

 

[CosmickGold]

Be sure to use the HIGH PRESSURE hose meant for propane between tank and regulator. I did things a little wrong at the beginning. The scariest of several mistakes was the time I turned on the tank just a tiny-tiny bit with a rubber hose connected to it, thinking a tiny-tiny bit of propane couldn't make more than a quiet candle-sized flame. But I was so wrong; for out the end of the rubber hose in my hand shot a yellow flame about two cubic feet in size, right there in the middle of my van! At first I instinctively tried to blow it out right at the end of the hose. IMPOSSIBLE! Then I reached the tank and turned it off. The rubber hose itself was now in flames, burning its rubber until I stomped the flames out on the floor. I'm lucky I still have myself and my van!

Don't be stupid like me! The pressure inside the propane tank is incredibly high, able to become a major flame thrower in an instant. Have your high-to-low pressure regulator right there at the tank connected by its own special hose, and continue taking all the other precautions as well.

One more precaution I didn't mention is that after the above flaming experience, I purchased a full-size fire extinguisher, now mounted on the wall next to my side door and bed, easy to reach from outside or inside.

 

[tx2sturgis]

When I said 'flexible hose with regulator', that was to mean NOT rigid copper. But it doesn't mean use any old garden hose either.

The pre-made hose assemblies are available at places like Tractor Supply, Home Depot, and of course, Amazon. They are ready to use, just screw the regulator on the tank and attach your appliance to the other end. Obviously one needs to check for leaks by 'spritzing' the fittings with soapy water.

At the appliance end of the hose, some small propane heaters (and camping stoves) use the 1" bottle fitting, others use a 3/8' compression fitting.

 

[peteg59]

Most insurance companies would frown on inside vehicle LP tank storage.
Having said that, I use 2, 20# BBQ style tanks for stove and heat, and they are kept inside my rig.
As long as you pay good attention to keeping the tanks secure from excessive movement while travelling and the connectors are tight, no harm in storing inside, IMO.

If the propane appliance(s) you're using have the correct tank connector(s), that you can hook up to a larger refillable BBQ type tank, you should be good.

Some of the smaller propane appliances use the 1# green "throw away" tanks.
There is an adaptor that can be used to refill the small throw aways from a BBQ sized tank. It can be found in most camping stores or Amazon for relatively short $$.
https://www.amazon.com/GasOne-Propa...uMTIifQ==&sprefix=LP+adaptor+,aps,3783&sr=8-4

 

[LargeMarge]

...But my nephew said... a tank? Thanks!!

.
Bev,
We full-time live-aboard our ExpeditionVehicle.
We carry two 'twenty-pound' 'five-gallon' 'BBQ' bottles.
.
We pull from one for the Coleman two-burner, plus the Wave 3 catalytic heater in cool weather.
Instead of a 'Y' adapter to operate both simultaneously, we stop one, then switch the appliance.
This slows the user, giving plenty of time to eval connections and components.
.
We have an after-market in-line pressure-gauge screwed into the bottle valve... to estimate the remaining pressure (not the remaining liquid).
After the pressure-gauge hits 'YELLOW', we get ready to switch to the full bottle, and take the empty for re-fill.
.
We think a full spare is better than the other kind.
.
a)
We like these 'typical BBQ bottles' because:
* easily filled anyplace, or
* easily exchanged for fresh, and
* immediately identified to first-responders.
.
We live by the motto:
* Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.
Accordingly, those tiny 'one-pound' bottles are 'off our radar'.
.
Some folks say the midgets can be re-filled.
My knowledge is limited to one minute of one YouTube video years ago.
I have a tough time with the concept, particularly after watching dozens of certified trained technicians re-fill our BBQ bottles.
.
Invisible explosive stuff?
If you, like me, are convinced no amount of convincing could convince you to fiddle with it, then stick with your familiar.
.
b)
I mention we carry two BBQ bottles in the rig.
We drive from an enclosed cab, separate from our quarters in a box on the back.
In a wreck, any violation of our propane is contained in the quarters, allowing us plenty of space and time to evacuate the zip-code.
.
While in the quarters, we perpetually open two windows on opposite walls.
Additionally, we built the rig with plenty of looseness in the door and window seals...
... because we like drafts.
.
A tighter living space might require a different propane way-of-doings.
.
c)
We workkamp a small organic teaching farm near the outskirts of Eugene, Oregon.
I volunteer to maintain the gensets for our chillers.
Each genset runs off a dedicated 500-pounder, plus we have a couple-three dozen BBQ bottles for back-up.
So far, I have no problem carrying these to town for re-fill.
.
d)
My advice, as always:
* chat-up somebody with experience in the subject.
Observe, learn, infrequently ask questions.
After a while, you may realize you finally have enough education to decide.
Deciding prior to acquiring enough information could be [!!! caution -- bad word !!!] limiting.

 

[INTJohn]

I have a 30lb tank in my truck. No Problems. Like anything simply maintain stuff properly and use common sense.

INTJohn

 

[LargeMarge]

... the time I turned on the tank just a tiny-tiny bit with a rubber hose connected to it, thinking a tiny-tiny bit of propane couldn't make more than a quiet candle-sized flame. But I was so wrong; for out the end of the rubber hose in my hand shot a yellow flame about two cubic feet in size, right there in the middle of my van! At first I instinctively tried to blow it out right at the end of the hose. IMPOSSIBLE! Then I reached the tank and turned it off. The rubber hose itself was now in flames, burning its rubber until I stomped the flames...

.
1990.
Beals Point campground.
Folsom Reservoir, north California.
.
Apparently, thinking they could re-use a fork-lift propane bottle for their indoor heater/stove, an ancient rattle-wreck RecreateVehicle crew (apparently, intoxicants were involved) bailed from their rig at high-speed (an 'intoxicants' pun) screaming and running in circles like a bunch of wild yahudees.
.
Apparently, they attempted to use a HORIZONTAL container in a VERTICAL position...
... allowing liquid propane to flow into their stove.
Hilarity ensued!
.
We, immediately recognizing the situation, retreated around the opposite side of our rig...
... just in case the hilarity turned 'too hot to handle!'.
.
After a few, the liquid propane burned enough to get the level below the internal pick-up, the flames disappated, and the crew, probably concerned about drawing attention from The Authorities, vacated the premises with all due haste.
.
But not before chucking the offending container in the Dumpster®.
Us, as astute observers, waited an appropriate period, then retrieved the nearly-full five-gallon bottle, and used it several years, re-filling it at any handy re-fill station.
.
As you might imagine, we used it only in the HORIZONTAL position, and we only used it outside.
.
An aside:
That fork-lift bottle was date-stamped '1947'... about a half-century earlier.
After most technicians saw that, we invariably got the 'side-squints' until we explained it was for a fork-lift.
Technically true...

 

[Bev]

This forum is 1st class.
Thank you for sharing! I made an appointment at the propane place near me for tomorrow. I purchased 1 20# tank and the hoses recommended. I asked lots of questions and the sales guy (teenager lol) thought I needed more care, so the manager has another person coming tomorrow for him to help with a new self converted cargo trailer. So we are all getting a lesson in safety. I thought I was asking great questions but I think that clerk had visions of me blowing up my van. I actually enjoyed the back and forth with him. But I really appreciate him inviting me for a lesson on hooking up and changing tanks. Also made my day because of this company is solid in customer service!

 

[GoingMobile]

I built a propane locker, a sealed box really I keep my tank in. It is vented out through the floor in case of a leak or the regulator venting some propane. I also installed a solenoid on the tank and only flip the switch to open it when using my stove or oven, otherwise it is switched off and even if there is a leak in the line it won’t be leaking most of the time since the solenoid is closed.

 

[VanFan]

I carry one of these https://ignik.com/products/gas-growler-deluxe after having sworn off propane all together for about two years. It has served us very well.

 

[jacqueg]

I use an 11-lb propane tank. I carry it inside, but I don't use it inside the van. I cook outside, very easy to tote the smaller tank outside. The 11-lb tank lasts forever when you are just using it for cooking. In fact, I'm thinking about swapping it out for a 2-lb tank. I've seen those smaller tanks attached to the outside of the van, mounted on a rear door or door post.

Yes, there's a danger there, but if you be sure to use a newer propane hose, and make sure that all connection points are firmly turned off while driving, I really don't think it should keep you awake at night.

 

[VanFan]

I use an 11-lb propane tank. I carry it inside, but I don't use it inside the van. I cook outside, very easy to tote the smaller tank outside.

...be sure to use a newer propane hose, and make sure that all connection points are firmly turned off while driving,

I also do all cooking outside (5 pounds is plenty for us), and actually feel safer carrying that than the 1 pound green meanies. If the van is going to be closed up in extreme heat, I do set it outside.

One thing I had not realized is the amount of gas that remains in the line (4' hose) after closing the tank valve! I can usually continue cooking for a minute after turning it off. Something to be aware of, for sure.