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In-Vehicle Potable Propane Cylinder Storage

11K views 29 replies 10 participants last post by  foxharp 
#1 ·
Is anyone aware of a design for an in-vehicle compartment vented to the outside atmosphere that is vapor resistant to the inside of the vehicle?
 
#2 ·
Yes, my two 20lb tanks are both in vapor tight cabinets to the inside of the vehicle. One tank is inactive as a spare the other is active. Both compartments are vented out the bottom and my active tank receives additional forced air venting via a bilge blower that doubles as my battery compartment blower. Technically, both tanks are outside the living space and have been inspected and certified as RIVA/NFPA compliant.

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#5 ·
Yes, my two 20lb tanks are both in vapor tight cabinets to the inside of the vehicle. One tank is inactive as a spare the other is active. Both compartments are vented out the bottom and my active tank receives additional forced air venting via a bilge blower that doubles as my battery compartment blower. Technically, both tanks are outside the living space and have been inspected and certified as RIVA/NFPA compliant.
What you describe sounds great! I want to build a similar compartment for a single 11 lb portable propane cylinder. I have access to NFPA 1192: Standard on Recreational Vehicles and have reviewed the recommended venting. Any details or photos of your venting mechanics would be greatly appreciated.
 
#4 ·
No, Propane is heavier than air so it sinks and vents out the bottom. Take a look at some of the slide in campers and that will give you an idea how to set it up. Propane tanks are for outdoor use only. My tanks load from the inside but once the vapor tight door is closed, they are technically outside.

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#9 ·
My in-vehicle compartment will be for storage only, no active connection. My 11 lb. cylinder fits inside a 7 gallon plastic bucket with a Gamma Seal lid. Once the bucket is secured in a storage cabinet I am thinking that will make the isolated vapor resistant enclosure with a sealed top access. I just need to make the proper bottom and upper vent arrangements per NFPA 1192 similar to what you have done.
 
#10 ·
Not sure this helps you, but it might provide some ideas......

I am planning a propane system also. I was planning an internal storage compartment as addressed earlier in this thread but realized I did not need propane to often for my uses and an internal storage system would only take up room inside my van. I only plan to use it for a back door/outside shower and for propane heating. I decided the simplest approach for me was to mount my 10 or 11 lb propane bottle or bottles ( if I have two) on the outside of my rear door(s). I found a nice unobtrusive rear door bracket for this on the SO-Cal Teardrop accessories website here: socalteardrops.com/parts.php?cid=8&pid=69
 
#11 ·
Two things jump out at me with this solution. The first is theft and the second a rear end collision. I have my 20 lb tanks (5lbs of fuel) in the last 14" of the floor with the Boron rear corner pillar to protect them against a direct hit. It may not do a lot of good but I think it's better than nothing.

The other option is to mount a permanent tank under the van. I opted out of that because I really like the ease of just grabbing a refill at one of the many locations that they are sold.

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#12 ·
Hi,
This is what I did for an inside the van 20 lb propane cylinder.
http://www.buildagreenrv.com/our-co...van-conversion-installing-the-propane-system/

Its a strong compartment that is vented outside through the floor -- no idea whether it meets RIVA requirements, but i'm satisfied that its safe.
Our last RV had a tank mounted under the frame and it worked OK, but the ground clearance was not great, and it was subjected to mud, dirt, rocks thrown up by the tires, which resulted in some problems and short component life -- I much prefer the inside mounting.

Gary
 
#15 ·
As I sit outside boiling wort for a barrel fermented saison and watching my honeybees work the local nectar flow I am reminded that the dimensions of the propane lockers with bottom vents I see in the photos are similar to the boxes I set in the forest to attract swarms of feral bees. In my neck of the woods something is always trying to go up in something to make a nest. I think I’ll be putting a screen on the bottom vent.
 
#16 ·
Yes, a wise decision, mine have pieces of window screen stapled down over the openings inside the box and then sealed around with silicon. I've thought about screens at the exit side but haven't done it yet.

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#19 · (Edited)
my canadian heater manufacture (Dickinson Marine) says only the regulator needs to be vented outside and has provided a regulator with a threaded vent port to accomplish that, dickinson says the cylinder can be safely mounted in the living space since the only time the cylinder itself vents propane is when the cylinder is in a fire.
 
#20 ·
The 20lb cylinders like you use with a BBQ are designated for outdoor use only. If you want to use them in a RV then they have to be in a vapor tight enclosure that's vented to the outside. These bottles have the relief valve in the valve body.

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#21 ·
For anyone interested I have posted a link to NFPA 1192: Standard on Recreational Vehicles in a separate thread here:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/572130-post1.html

Online access to the standard is free upon registration. Hard copies of the standard may be purchased from the NFPA website.
 
#22 ·
What propane/gas detector are people using?


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