| Author | Message | ||
| bluejay171 (152.163.207.202)
Rating: |
Our Eagle has a refrigerator that can be run on electric or propane. We would like to use propane, but not sure about installation safety requirements. Anyone have any suggestions ? TIA Jay | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.89) Rating: N/A |
portable 7.5 or 10 gal. tanks in a bay, upright and secured. Black Iron pipe for the main distribution line and gas shutoff valves at each take-off point. Use either soft drawn copper tubing or gas service neoprene hose connectors to the appliances--keep them short, under 36". Some motorhomes are now using soft drawn copper for main line--I haven't figured out how RVIA ever approved the practice--money talks I guess! | ||
| R Johnstone (Chilebrew) (164.64.0.18)
Rating: N/A |
VENTILATION! VENTILATION! Do a keyword search, read the threads on propane installation. | ||
| Daris Bouthillier (209.67.181.133)
Rating: N/A |
When you think ventilation, remember that LPG is a heavy gas. Vent from the bottom. | ||
| CoryDaneRTSII (198.29.253.131) Rating: N/A |
From the Book of Cory The propane tank is holding a vicious gas ifyou dont install it properly. I suggest taking your cue from the RV industry. Mount the tank under the floor, open to the outside. NOT in a bay with a door, NOT in a bay with a hole cut in the floor for ventilation. If you must install it in a bay, cut the entire floor out so the heavy gas will drop to the ground an dissapate with the air circulation. Remember, Propane is a lazy gas and will puddle anywhere, including in a bay with inadequate ventilation. One spark and you will have a new education about propane tank storage. The entire floor needs to be out, not for the lazy ventilation if any minute leakage but for when the regulator has need to blow the pressure relief. YOu fill the bay with the lazy gas and it will leach into the coach and puddle there, then you have a big problem that was caused initially by YOU. With the floor removed, the gas cannot puddle and grow, it has to fall to the ground which is the only way to go. Boats use a black rubber hose made especially for propane distribution and comes in various lengths from 3' to 40'. The RV industry has used copper pipe. Black pipe is the standard for home distribution but in a moving house with all those T's and nipples, I worry about leaks. DO NOT install this item incorrectly or your bus may have a new "bloated" shape after that "spark" ignites the gas. As Always - CoryDane | ||
| bluejay171 (64.12.103.183) Rating: N/A |
Thanks everyone. Between you, you have definitely answered my question. Thanks, Jay | ||
| Steve Fessenden (63.27.88.15)
Rating: N/A |
My professional installation is in a bay with a horizontal tank. Instead of removing the floor they used a hole saw to cut multiple 3 to 4 inch holes right next to each other and laid an aluminum grate over it to keep the varmits out. Steve Fessenden | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.111) Rating: N/A |
Most bus conversions and almost all of your newer high end pushers have the propane in a ventilated compartment, and they don't cut the floor out of the cargo area to do it. Black iron pipe is absolutely the best choice for a distribution system and if u don't feel comfortable as a pipe fitter, then have it done. Any distribution header is going to have fittings, be it copper, rubber, or pipe. The gas distribution system is one area that MUST be done correctly. Adequate safety valves and regular inspection are the key to keeping a safe and efficient system. | ||
| Phil (204.89.170.3) Rating: N/A |
All newer LP installations in motorhomes include a propane detector and an electric valve that shuts off when the LP is detected. The detector must be located close to the floor. They are very sensetive, while going down the road my other half was cleaning and the cleaning product she was using set off the detector (and the gas). Took 15-20 minutes before the alarm would reset with the windows open! | ||
| Carl Rader (209.204.35.96) Rating: N/A |
Be sure to check the code on propane tank installation--I believe it's required that the tank compartment be accessible from the outside and NOT have a lock. | ||
| David Anderson (209.223.227.175) Rating: N/A |
If the locking part is true, then they can't be in any bay that has a lock on the door because I plan on locking all my bay doors. Gee I hope that is not true. Come to think of it, most of the motorhomes I've see have a separate door for the tank next to a bay. Boy, that sure complicates my installation. | ||
| madbrit (216.67.194.58) Rating: N/A |
My 1977 Apollo has an external underslung propane tank, but the filler and shut-off valves are behind a factory lockable basement storage door. Ofcourse, regulations change, so best to check the current stats. Peter. | ||
| Phil (204.89.170.3) Rating: N/A |
My 2000 Monaco has a 38 (30) gallon tank located between the frame rails with the filler seperated bya sealed off section in one of the compartments. There is no lock on this compartment allthough the other eleven are locked. One other nice feature they put on this unit is a switch next to the remote filler. This shuts off the propane to the coach for filling so you can be sure all the appliances are off. There is also a light there that is on when gas is on. | ||
| Scott Whitney (63.151.64.84) Rating: N/A |
Bad news. . . yes, current code requires that no lock or special tool be needed to open the propane storage compartment. Also, if a remote fill is used (like on a permanent mounted tank) when the tank valves are further than 18 inches from the edge of the coach, a normally closed electric shut-off switch is required on the high pressure side of the regulator. I can look up the exact verbiage if anyone wants in the 1999 NFPA 1192 code book. I just went thru the black iron thing. For those interested, I have lots of pics here: http://www.aaahooo.com/bus/propane.asp PS - But I have not yet bought my electric shut-off switch. Any ideas on where to buy appreciated! Scott | ||
| George Myers (12.85.0.139)
Rating: N/A |
Why guess what is safe or take other people's word on what they think the code requires. Get your own copy, study it, follow it, live long, and prosper. The code is titled NFPA 1192: Standard on Recreational Vehicles, 1999 Edition. It is the nationally recognized code that applies to the plumbing systems, LP, heating, fire and safety, and most everything else in an RV except the electrical. For $48.85 (with UPS), NFPA 1192 is available from Global Engineering Documents (800) 854-7179, http://global.ihs.com. (Note that there is no www). NFPA 1192: Standard on Recreational Vehicles, is the new name for An American National Standard: ANSI A119.2— NFPA 501C: Recreational Vehicles, which has been the name for many years. The electrical standards are in the National Electrical Code — 1999. and is available at any library or book store. Both codes are published every three years with new editions expected in 2002 and 2005. | ||
| Scott Whitney (63.151.64.84) Rating: N/A |
Yes, I agree with George (he knows his stuff) - get the code. But in the interest of this discussion, I'll type in a few short sections of it: (from 1999 edition) 2-2.7.2 Location of Tank Appurtenances The manual control of the tank's shutoff valve, the LP-Gas fill connection, and the liquid level outage valve of permanently installed tanks shall be located not more than 18 in. (457 mm) from the vehicle's outside wall. The LP-Gas fill connection and its liquid level outage valve shall be located in accordance with like requirements for LP-Gas pressure relief valves (see 2-2.8.3) [italicized] Exception: Vehicles shall be permitted to be equppied with a remotely controlled normally closed electronic shutoff valve installed on the high pressure side of the LP-Gas regulator. A double back-flow valve shall be installed in the fill opening of the tank. The remote fill connection shall be located within 18 in. (45.7 cm) of the vehicle outside wall and shall be located in accordance with like requirements for LP-Gas pressure relief valves (see 2-2.8.3) [end italicized] Also. . . section 2-2.6.1 reads: ...Doors or panels providing access to valves shall not be equipped with locks or require special tools to open. Hope that helps. Scott |
