Why do so many people build BOMBS out of their trailer projects?

[Grim Reaper]

I'm researching for my next build and went through the sticky of builds and was shocked at how many people are putting propane tanks into enclosed areas without proper ventilation. :Wow1:


Just a BAD idea on a Darwinian level.

Hell there is a build thread where the tank is IN the galley cabinet right at the back of the water heater. :yikes:

Regulators are JUNK these days. They are a major point of leaks. Good GOD putting the tank and its regulator next to the water heater is a bad idea. NEVER EVER EVER NEVER put regulators in enclosed spaces!

I saw several metal tank enclosures that while not nearly as bad inside the camper if the propane can collect in a concentration the only thing missing is a spark NEAR it. Hell having a static discharge near as you tried to open it could do you in.

Seriously folks take some notes from the travel trailer industry. There is a reason the tanks are on the tongue and not inside. On the rare model it is in a compartment there is vents placed in the floor. Propane sinks, the vents need to be at the lowest point to avoid enough collecting.

More: Lines should be run on the bottom of your projects and come up through the floor at the appliance to try to limit the potential for leaks in an enclosed area. With what we do off road yes you need to figure out how to protect them but you need avoid putting them where they are in an enclosed area when ever possible.

Most modern RV appliances the line connects where its in a vented area. The attempt it to limit connections in enclosed areas. Bouncing around as you go down the road connection points are going to be more prone to leaks. MOUNT your regulators and lines to keep them from bouncing with they are not the type on a rigid pipe from the valve. If you have to travel with the tank valve open for a reefer put valves off the lines going to the water and heater and turn them off for travel.

Reasons why:

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120429/GJNEWS_01/704299909/-1/fosnews

http://practical-parsimony.blogspot.com/2012/01/propane-explosion.html

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/off-topic-forum/10530-propane-explosion.html

http://naugatuck.patch.com/articles/man-burned-following-naugatuck-rv-explosion#photo-8978667

http://www.chemaxx.com/camper_explosion2.htm

http://billingsgazette.com/news/sta...cle_2626b900-655e-11df-8a28-001cc4c03286.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2010/06/17/morrisburg-camper-fire.html?ref=rss

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_cb3574a0-b04f-5b5f-bfe7-d5df4f49ceea.html

http://worthit2u.net/worth/2012/07/09/worth-news-58/

http://www.gassafeconsultants.co.uk...-destroys-camper-van-near-reighton-roundabout

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/06/18/14434741.html


Please be safe folks. I'd hate to see a story like those about one of the people on here.

 

[Mark Harley]

So true!

Mine is mounted on the front of the tub.
Still in line with rocks thrown up but a little safer out in the open.

 

[Robert Bills]

External mount:

 

[mhiscox]

While there's much merit in what was posted, there's also more specific information to be had about where to put propane tanks, how to run the lines, how to make the connections and so on. Following either the standards set by the National Fire Prevention Association or the American Boat and Yacht Council will result in a safe installation. Information is on the internet.

One thing you would learn is that propane tanks can be (and usually should be) in an enclosed space, a properly ventilated sealed propane locker, and lines should be run in protected areas, which is safe because the only approved place to make a connection is at the appliance at one end and inside the locker at the other, so that there are no connections to leak inside the RV. It's also best practice to have a propane detector/alarm in the cabin that will automatically turn off the solenoid valve that should be placed at the output of the regulator.

So propane can be safely installed on the inside of a cabin, but it can be an expensive proposition. On my Sprinter, the locker alone was $700, and the alarm/detector/solenoid set up was over $300, and this is without any of the hoses, which can get expensive when the runs to the appliances are long. And installation is often time-consuming. Still, as pointed out, handling the LP gas safely is critical and obviously worth the effort.

Incidentally, direct connection of one-pound disposable cylinders to appliances is acceptable. If it's not possible, for reasons of cost or design to do a tank-based system correctly, it's better to stick to disposable cylinders than to do something without following the standards.

 

[highlandercj-7]

Good point. Robert that is beautiful, nice trailer. That style tanks looks great on it too.

 

[Robert Bills]

. . . Robert that is beautiful, nice trailer. That style tanks looks great on it too.

Thanks for the compliment on the trailer. I'm fortunate to have it.

As for the tank, I kept my eye open for one for several years because it matches the era of my '46 Bantam trailer. its a vintage ASME Manchester unit that I found in a marine boneyard; cleaned internally and tested before I repainted it. Back in the day, before propane tank installation was better regulated, these tanks were frequently used in boats.

Just think, heavy propane vapor mixed with gasoline fumes in the bilge. Now THAT's a bomb! :Wow1:

 

[Woods]

Excellent thread. This should be a sticky.