Propane tank location? Ideas!!!!!

grantgoold · May 10, 2011, 08:20:32 PM

Looking for some ideas for the location of our new propane tank. 12.5 gallon tank. MCI 9 with the front bays off limits with house batteries, and full electrical panels. Left rear bay full with genset.

Pros and Cons.

Thanks

Lin · May 10, 2011, 10:24:48 PM

The old AC condenser bay works well since it is already nicely vented.

Singing Land Cruiser · May 11, 2011, 06:01:11 AM

Here is what we did, http://singinglandcruiser.blogspot.com/search/label/Propane%20Compartment
Hope it helps. M&C

grantgoold · May 11, 2011, 06:45:55 AM

Thanks for the pictures!

artvonne · May 11, 2011, 09:12:39 AM

Im thinking of stacking two fork lift type horizontal tanks with the same type of clamp mount , hopefully in the rear bay with the other tankage. Those can be filled anywhere without paying tank exchange rates. But definetly want double removeable quick fill tanks rather than a single hard mounted tank.

robertglines1 · May 11, 2011, 01:11:23 PM

propane being heavier than air their should be a 3 square inch hole per gallon of propane at the lowest point of the compartment and no ignition source present. in other words don't put it in with batteries that might spark in a accident or arc to a upset tank. Please ck the hole size per gallon it's been awhile since I have use propane as I do all electric coaches now. Bob

grantgoold · May 17, 2011, 03:25:58 PM

There is a suggestion to put the propane tank on the passenger side in the rear side engine door area. Obviously there is plenty of ventilation and we could build a platform that would hold the tank tightly in place and be insulated very well.

We would obviously be concerned with an engine fire but think the ventilation down the road or sitting still would be more than adequate verse a very large hole in the floor of a luggage bay. Ideas, concerns?

JohnEd · May 17, 2011, 03:48:12 PM

I lost two friends to being immolated by a propane explosion in a RV. They were impacted by a car and the tanks exploded into the engine bay. If you can, I would place them in the center of a bay where they are far removed from any impact area and mount them like the powerful bomb that they are. I wonder that we don't see more tragedy with this situation than we do and thank God for that.

With the heat of an engine bay proximity you will have more automatic venting of your tanks. There is a code that all permanent tanks have their pop-off pressure relief port plumbed to the rear of the bus where they vent to the atmosphere at a height of 6 feet or some such. That keeps vented gas from puddling under your coach or accumulating in any depression. Being high it gets a chance to mix and dilute on exiting the vent tube. I have never seen this done but the reg has been confirmed to me before. Permanent tanks, now.

John

grantgoold · May 17, 2011, 04:00:51 PM

John, thanks for those words of advise. We will begin to look else where!

Grant

happycamperbrat · May 17, 2011, 04:11:48 PM

if propane is heavier then air, how in the world is it supposed to vent to the roof?

JohnEd · May 17, 2011, 04:15:58 PM

It is heavier than air and it does sink and puddle and collect in depressions. Who mentioned "roof"? This is critical stuff to get straight and if you are developing questions I assume others that aren't posting are as well.

Thanks T

John

DaveG · May 17, 2011, 04:27:26 PM

Quote from: happycamperbrat on May 17, 2011, 04:11:48 PM
if propane is heavier then air, how in the world is it supposed to vent to the roof?

It is under pressure when the vent activates

happycamperbrat · May 17, 2011, 04:27:44 PM

QuoteThere is a code that all permanent tanks have their pop-off pressure relief port plumbed to the rear of the bus where they vent to the atmosphere at a height of 6 feet or some such

Okay, then I misunderstood this statement...... could you elaborate?

DaveG · May 17, 2011, 04:30:50 PM

That keeps vented gas from puddling under your coach or accumulating in any depression. Being high it gets a chance to mix and dilute on exiting the vent tube

I think this sums it up!

Chopper Scott · May 17, 2011, 04:32:00 PM

I have an 85 gallon tank, obviously permantly mounted, in the first bay on the street side. It has a relief line attached to it that exits the side of the bus. I sure feel more comfortable with such a tank as it is a lot more durable than say a forklift tank or a couple of 40 lb or 20 lb bottles. It's also handy because I can go a long time between fills. If I had my druthers I sure wouldn't even think about portable bottles. My gen is propane powered also so that really comes into play. Just what I have and would do it that way if I was building one short of all diesel powered. The hard part would be finding such a tank.

Propane tank location? Ideas!!!!!

artvonne