| Author |
Message |
Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2006 - 4:42 pm: | |
What is safe and what is code? I have only a 3 burner cook top so I don't need much. It'll be in the former HVAC condensor compartment Which has essentially no floor, just a very coarse screen. But on the other side of a metal partition is my generator and the bus floor above is wood. How much of a fireproof enclosure is needed? Is there a commercially available metal box I can put it in? What's the legality of carrying a spare tank, not connected, in a bay? |
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2006 - 8:09 pm: | |
Your compartment is probably fine. The worry isn't about the tank catching on fire so much as leaking or venting, and having the leaked gas accumulate and go boom.
So it sounds like your ventilation in the tank area is ok and I wouldn't worry about the generator or the wood above.
Don't know about legality of putting portable tanks inside your bay, you'll have to get other opinions.
If you mount a permanent tank, code says (and I do too) that you should run the blowoff valve thru at least 3/4" hard piping to the outside rear of your bus, aiming out back and up. That way if the tank ever decides to vent, the gasses will be directed safely away from your bus instead of under it...
BTW and FWIW, I carry something like ten BBQ tanks in my bay on the way to Burning Man each year. Probably not legal, but it's the safest place I can think of.... |
Marc Bourget
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 7:21 am: | |
Dave Galey (Bus Converter's Bible) speaks of propane tanks (installed is assumed) requiring mounting sufficient to withstand 8 g loading thru the center of gravity of the tank. (ex tank weighing 80# needs a fastening sufficient to withstand a 640# pull at the center of the tank.
The following California Statute is probably typical:
27909. Any vehicle which carries liquefied petroleum gas fuel or
natural gas, in a tank attached to a vehicle, in any concealed area,
including trunks, compartments, or under the vehicle, shall display
on the exterior of the vehicle the letters "CNG," "LNG," or "LPG,"
whichever type fuel is utilized, in block letters at least one inch
high. The letters shall be of contrasting color and shall be placed
as near as possible to the area of the location of the tank. Any
vehicle fueled by liquefied petroleum gas fuel or by natural gas may
also comply with this section by displaying on each side of the
vehicle words or letters at least 0.25 inch high indicating that the
vehicle is fueled by liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas. It is
unlawful to dispense liquefied petroleum gas fuel or natural gas into
any tank in a concealed area of any vehicle registered in
California, unless the vehicle complies with the requirements of this
section.
Search also turned up 28060 mandating a fire extinguisher :
(b) The operator of a recreational vehicle, or a vehicle to which
a camper is attached, which recreational vehicle or camper is
equipped with a fire extinguisher as required by subdivision (a),
shall carry such fire extinguisher in such recreational vehicle or
camper and shall maintain the fire extinguisher in an efficient
operating condition.
There is an unreferenced mention that the maximum number of portable tanks in a vehicle is 4. The source is probabaly Fed Has Mat (I think 47 USC §173 etc.)
FWIW |
John Jewett (Jayjay)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 8:49 pm: | |
Just remember that you probagbly will be forbidden to enter any tunnel with propane etc. in you bus. ...JJ |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 8:58 pm: | |
Is there a commercially built RV anywhere in the world, that
doesn't have propane aboard?
You'll run into more roads, bridges, and tunnels, etc., that
prohibit the weight or height of our bus conversions, than
propane restrictions.
It's really not a big deal. |
waynewland@earthlink.net
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 9:05 pm: | |
The regulations are different for "frame mount" tanks and portable bottles. Most tunnels will allow permanent motorhome tanks to be shut off. Many of the same places will not allow bottles at all. |
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