Where to mount propane tank?

windtrader · November 20, 2020, 09:47:22 AM

Agree on cut hose causing the most havoc and it is pretty realistic to think upon impact the 5 gallon tanks secured with the flimsy hold downs letting loose, tank goes flying intact but the hose gets severed. In that case though, the tank probably is in the ditch somewhere so maybe the actual fire hazard from the cut hose really would not create increased fire in the bus.
Lately, this forum is starting to scare me. It's all FAKE busnut hysteria! Now back to regular bus news. LOL

RJ · November 20, 2020, 11:13:45 AM

Quote from: mh0pe on November 18, 2020, 08:08:44 PM
I'm part way through a bus conversion and would like some advice on the placement of a propane tank on my '91 102C3.

Quote from: buswarrior on November 19, 2020, 06:55:49 PM
If you are worried about propane, then why use it?

Perhaps this photo is an excellent reason why the major conversion companies (Liberty, Marathon, Royale, etc.) tend to produce all-electric coaches?

Yes, it was a propane fire.

luvrbus · November 20, 2020, 11:44:12 AM

Propane is only dangerous as a owner chooses to be damn look at the CNG buses, 18 wheelers,pickups and cars on the road today powered by CNG

richard5933 · November 20, 2020, 11:45:42 AM

Quote from: RJ on November 20, 2020, 11:13:45 AM
Perhaps this photo is an excellent reason why the major conversion companies (Liberty, Marathon, Royale, etc.) produce all-electric coaches?

Yes, it was a propane fire.

Just saying it was a propane fire doesn't tell us anything - what actually caused the fire? Was it a propane fire due to a faulty refrigerator? Did the regulator fail? Was the tank struck and damaged? Was this at all related to tank placement or failure?

Jim Blackwood · November 20, 2020, 12:16:57 PM

I wholeheartedly agree Richard. Despite safeguards that can be used, proper routing, protection, and good installation practices are paramount. Some tanks may have an outlet valve that shuts off in the event of a catastrophic leak but one of the best practices is to size the lines no larger than they have to be to feed the device using the propane. And of course never plumb to the liquid side. The corrugated stainless flex pipes are a good choice for any place where relative motion can occur, whether from vibration, normal use and maintenance or collision.

Jim

luvrbus · November 20, 2020, 01:46:01 PM

If it was a propane fire the fridge wasn't the culprit the door is still intact, maybe a furnace fire those are usually caused by lint build up caused by the owner never cleaning it,and I don't about the big guys never using propane if the owner wants it,I know of a 2010 Liberty bought new with a propane cook top

Dave5Cs · November 20, 2020, 02:23:41 PM

Well RJ at least the Solar panel in that picture you put up is in good condition.....

luvrbus · November 20, 2020, 03:04:09 PM

The location looks like where a battery fire would have stated

windtrader · November 20, 2020, 06:38:11 PM

One thing for sure is the propane tank did not blow up. LOL

Jim Blackwood · November 20, 2020, 07:39:44 PM

They rarely do. Really, that's a TV thing, that explosion business.

Jim

chessie4905 · November 21, 2020, 04:13:23 AM

Yeah, like tires screeching on sand and dirt, and locomotive blowing up in Unstoppable.

richard5933 · November 21, 2020, 04:55:38 AM

Here's a class C motor home engulfed in flames. At about 2:20 you'll notice what appears to be a propane tank letting loose. Not really an explosion - more of a burst of propellant into the fire. My guess it wasn't the tank itself cutting loose, as much as a line or valve melting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zSjZVlnKHg

Jim Blackwood · November 21, 2020, 08:44:13 AM

Sounded like a pressure relief valve. Could have been an air tank or even the fuel tank. Was there any indication that the fire was caused by propane? I don't think there was anything salvageable at that point in the video and if the occupants hadn't already gotten away safely they weren't going to.

Jim

richard5933 · November 21, 2020, 09:38:24 AM

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on November 21, 2020, 08:44:13 AM
Sounded like a pressure relief valve. Could have been an air tank or even the fuel tank. Was there any indication that the fire was caused by propane? I don't think there was anything salvageable at that point in the video and if the occupants hadn't already gotten away safely they weren't going to.

Jim

No indication what started the fire. If you listen to the guy talking he makes the comment "there goes my propane tank" at one point. I doubt the fire was caused by the propane tank, but who knows.

I was really trying to show that even in a fire like this the propane tank doesn't explode, per se.

edvanland · November 23, 2020, 08:02:40 AM

I mounted ours in the middle bay. Put in 2 7 gal tanks, that way when one runs out just switch over to the other and go get the empty one filled. Don't have to move the bus.
ED