Propane

[Reddiver]

I have a small Propane tank must be about a gallon. I am thinking about storing it under the stove in the Galley. My battery would be in the same compartment. I plan on using the gel type battery. I believe Propane is heavier than air so I would have some vent holes in the floor.
I don't see why this would be anymore dangerous than storing the small bottles and trusting the factory valve that is in them. What do you think?

[48Rob]

Red,

Good old common sense will generally keep a person reasonably safe, along with basing your decisions on a good understanding of the side effects of a particular decision...

Storing propane in the galley isn't dangerous...unless you have an ignition source, or don't have provisions for preventing it from seeping into the sleeping compartment, or for venting it to the outside.
On the assumption that the tank or fittings leak...

Propane and batteries don't mysteriously create explosions just because they are close to one another.
Each is, or creates, an ignitable gas that is capable of creating fire, or an explosion under proper conditions.
You should understand the "why and how" of "proper conditions” before you decide.

Neither propane, nor batteries "just explode" for no reason.
Properly vented, neither are particularly dangerous.
That said, if one burns or explodes, and the other is in the path, it can make the original fire/explosion much more severe.

The greatest concern of storing propane, or batteries in the enclosed galley area is that the container, no matter what size, could become overly warm, causing the valve to release pressure, which means propane, or battery gas is released into an enclosed area.
This can also happen as the result of a leak.
Will it seep into the sleeping area, while you are asleep?
Will there be an ignition source, i.e. spark, flame, etc. that will ignite this gas?

Any time propane, or batteries are stored in an enclosed area, provisions should be made for any released gas to harmlessly escape.
One gas is lighter than air, one is heavier, which is which? And where the vents should be placed is one of those questions you should be able to answer before proceeding.
If the sleeping area is adjacent to the propane storage area, it should be sealed, gas tight.
If the container is to be stored in the galley area, it should have a shut off near the tank, to assure that gas does not escape from a faulty stove valve.

Rob

[Reddiver]

This bottle has a valve just like a five gallon bottle and would only be on when using the stove. Its a compact little bottle and would be plenty of gas for most trips.

[brian_bp]

Although the valve on a bulk propane tank looks like a simple on-off valve with knob like a faucet (but of course with POL or QCC valve for the propane connection), it also contains an over-pressure relief valve. The one-pound cylinders with needle-valve outlets have the pressure relief as a separate valve; the bulk tanks have the pressure relief (and sometimes a purge port, and sometimes an 80% fill indication bleed valve) built into the same body.

If the tank gets warm enough, which increases the propane pressure, the relief valve will release vapour (or unfortunately liquid if the tank is not upright) until the pressure falls enough. I dont' know offhand how warm that is. There is also the possibility of slight leaks, especially from the main hose fitting.

I'm guessing it's a five-pound tank. That seems like a reasonable size, but I would only store and use it in a properly vented compartment. Refilling this bulk tank would certainly be cheaper than buying one-pound single-use cylinders; it would also be a lot better environmentally, and would reduce the chances of running out in the middle of a use.

[sdtripper2]

Redriver:

Do you have any pictures of your build so far?

[48Rob]

The valve should work, but it is important to keep it turned off when not in use, as many stove valves leak.

Also a good idea to bleed off the pressure after turning off the main tank, by turning on the stove valve for a couple seconds.

This is a picture of a set up in a previous trailer.

<img src="http://home.insightbb.com/~hesselmann2/wsb/media/82001/site1160_t.jpg">

The disposable 1# bottle screwed into a fitting in the steel piping that was well secured to the underside of the galley counter.
The gas went from the bottle, to the red shut off valve, then to the regulator, then to the stove.
Worked very well, and saved much space not having to mount a larger tank in the galley.

The tongue space was taken by a cooler.
By not mounting it there, I also saved the plumbing needed to get it from the front, to the back.


On my latest trailer, I have a furnace, water heater, and stove, so a 1# bottle wouldn't be very practical, size wise.
I mounted an 11# tank on the tongue,
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/tank2.jpg?t=1201095492">

I also added fittings to accept a 1# bottle, in case the big tank ran out.
<IMG SRC="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/tank1.jpg?t=1201095714">


Very handy, much better than searching for a place to fill a propane tank while out camping.

Rob

[prohandyman]

Rob
I like the idea of the 1# bottle. Where did you find the fitting for it?
Dan

[48Rob]

Dan,

Sorry, I got busy and forgot to reply.

I bought the fittings at my local propane dealer, but they are available at most sporting goods stores, and of course on the Internet.

Here is what it looks like,
<img src="http://www.rvupgradestore.com/ProductImages/gas/668646.jpg">
1/4" Male Pipe Thread x Disposable Cylinder Female.
Sells for around $8.00...and up...they're all the same, but some sellers are far more proud of them than others...

You can also buy a "second chance" adaptor, that allows a 1# bottle to be connected to your system.
These sell from $20.00 on up...
<img src="http://www.marshallbrass.com/images/sec5/G480.jpg">

<img src="http://www.rvpartscenter.com/Image/22262.jpg">


Use caution (of course) when "adapting" to be sure the propane is going through a regulator.

Rob

[Reddiver]

Hey Steve
I am afraid I don't have any pictures yet. I ordered the red trailer and cut it shorter and welded it back up its ready to go. I have decided on my profile and have my pattern cut . I will be able to make exact copies with my router. So not much to look at. I had a funding problem over the Christmas Holiday. I am going to get a load of plywood next week then I can Rock and Roll.
The Propane question came up at about 3 am when I lay awake building the trailer in my head. I hate when that happens.