Propane tank storage

[Tivoli]

Hi,
I have just purchased a Mr Buddy propane heater and have a Coleman Road Trip grill. Have been using the small canisters from Walmart, etc for grill. Want to get larger tank for heater and grill. Where is it safe to store the tank? Can it go in basement? Should I put a cover over it? Thank you!!!!

[sdennislee]

You should store it where it can vent to the outside of the coach, just like the onboard tank does. Notice that the basement compartment where the onboard propane tank is installed does not have a floor.

Propane is heavier than air and will settle out of the compartment when there is no floor.

[Old-Biscuit]

Propane 'cylinders' need to be stored/transported as designed for use.......
IE: Vertical cylinders---vertical & horizontal cylinders---horizontal
This insures relief valve is in contact with vapor not liquid should relief valve operate.

Milk crates are great for holding/transporting the portable cylinders

And YES they should be able to vent to outside ----- don't want propane vapor to accumulate in a closed compartment should relief valve open or bleed valve leak etc.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Propane 'cylinders' need to be stored/transported as designed for use.......
IE: Vertical cylinders---vertical & horizontal cylinders---horizontal
This insures relief valve is in contact with vapor not liquid should relief valve operate.

Milk crates are great for holding/transporting the portable cylinders

And YES they should be able to vent to outside ----- don't want propane vapor to accumulate in a closed compartment should relief valve open or bleed valve leak etc.

All good points. The 20# tanks fit well within a plastic milk and will not tip over. I have carried tanks in closed compartments but after thinking it over I will refrain from doing it. Especially if they are filled to capacity. I have carried a tank in the bathtub with a towel under the crate so the tub doesn't get scratched. If there was a leak of any kind I would smell it quickly.
I have an aluminum carry rack which attaches via the trailer hitch which would hold two or three tanks but I'm a little concerned what could happen if someone were to rear end me.
Maybe carrying a tank in a crate on a rubber mat in the bathroom with the vent opened would be a better option. I do have maxi-vents over the vent covers.
This is a good discussion and probably something we have not taken seriously enough in the past. Safety isn't something we should take lightly though.
I am not afraid of propane or gasoline. I have worked around both all my life but I sure do respect both.
Lynn

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

All good points. The 20# tanks fit well within a plastic milk and will not tip over. I have carried tanks in closed compartments but after thinking it over I will refrain from doing it. Especially if they are filled to capacity. I have carried a tank in the bathtub with a towel under the crate so the tub doesn't get scratched. If there was a leak of any kind I would smell it quickly.
I have an aluminum carry rack which attaches via the trailer hitch which would hold two or three tanks but I'm a little concerned what could happen if someone were to rear end me.
Maybe carrying a tank in a crate on a rubber mat in the bathroom with the vent opened would be a better option. I do have maxi-vents over the vent covers.
This is a good discussion and probably something we have not taken seriously enough in the past. Safety isn't something we should take lightly though.
I am not afraid of propane or gasoline. I have worked around both all my life but I sure do respect both.
Lynn

X2....... My 20# bottles are stored in my basement......it would have to get really hot down the for the tanks to build pressure in order for the relief valves to release. For 6 years I operated the propane loading facility at the refinery where I work........I understand its property's and what it can do..........I also drove for Ferrel Gas hauling 9k gallons at a time .......and had some really extensive training before starting to drive for them.
The only time I had a 20# bottle trip the relief valve is when they use to weigh the old tanks when filling.........the "Knot-head" filled it up and left no "Vapor Space" ............it released a blanket cloud inside my Bronco on the way home........it was winter and cold out.......inside the warm vehicle.......it pressured up........no wonder they come up with the new style auto shut off tanks

[Cousin Ed]

I would carry it in toad.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

X2....... My 20# bottles are stored in my basement......it would have to get really hot down the for the tanks to build pressure in order for the relief valves to release. For 6 years I operated the propane loading facility at the refinery where I work........I understand its property's and what it can do..........I also drove for Ferrel Gas hauling 9k gallons at a time .......and had some really extensive training before starting to drive for them.
The only time I had a 20# bottle trip the relief valve is when they use to weigh the old tanks when filling.........the "Knot-head" filled it up and left no "Vapor Space" ............it released a blanket cloud inside my Bronco on the way home........it was winter and cold out.......inside the warm vehicle.......it pressured up........no wonder they come up with the new style auto shut off tanks

I believe this is also why tanks, even outside propane tanks, are only filled to 85% capacity. This leaves an air cushion for expansion.
Correct?
Lynn

[ahicks]

Just don't store a 20lb cylinder on it's side or allow it to tip over in transit. A 20lb cylinder venting vapor is one thing, but if it's on it's side, it's very possible it will vent liquid - potentially making a bad situation much worse.....

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

I believe this is also why tanks, even outside propane tanks, are only filled to 85% capacity. This leaves an air cushion for expansion.
Correct?
Lynn

You are correct Lynn, except for the "Vapor Space" it is 80% in propane tanks to semi tanker's.........
Propane has a low vapor pressure as the weather cools, and low in the winter, just in turn, propane will have a higher vapor pressure in the warm/hot summer months.

[tinkerreknit]

RV's are built differently, but here is what I did. Holds 4 small LP canisters in front of the passenger-side 40 LB tank. I used 4" plastic drain tile that I had on hand.

[Tivoli]

Thanks for all the responses! So, if I put a tank in the basement and secure it so it will not fall on its side, I should be ok? Thanks!

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

You are correct Lynn, except for the "Vapor Space" it is 80% in propane tanks to semi tanker's.........
Propane has a low vapor pressure as the weather cools, and low in the winter, just in turn, propane will have a higher vapor pressure in the warm/hot summer months.

I may have the % incorrect. It is clearly marked on each 120 gallon tank I have at my home. I have 3. I think it does say 80%.
Lynn

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

You are correct Lynn, except for the "Vapor Space" it is 80% in propane tanks to semi tanker's.........
Propane has a low vapor pressure as the weather cools, and low in the winter, just in turn, propane will have a higher vapor pressure in the warm/hot summer months.

that is reason tanks and cylinders regardless of size have a 'fixed liquid level gauge' (bleeder valve) that should be cracked open everytime a fill is being done.

'Fixed liquid level' is a physical tube that is set at 80% liquid level.
When filling with bleeder valve open it will vent vapor then spew liquid when level reaches the prescribed 80% level.
That is when fill should be secured whether it is being done by weight or gallons.

The OPD service valve on cylinders incorporates a float that shuts off filling at 80% level but is NOT to used as primary but as a secondary tool for proper filling.

Nothing beats the old actual liquid level tube...bleeder valve.