Proper carrying of propane tanks - R-pod Owners Forum

This subject came up in my mods. I installed a LiFePO4 battery inside which freed up the battery rack. I thought I might carry an extra tank there but found that there is insufficient vertical room for the tank. I remarked as such and Offgrid affirmed my conclusion.

Geewizard asked, "Why isn't it ok to carry a propane tank on it's side?" and remarked, "I have a horizontal 30 lb propane tank in my truck camper. It has the same valve as any other propane tank."

My comment was, "If you look at both a standard tank that is meant to be carried upright and one that is meant to be carried horizontally, you will see that there is a difference in valve placement. For the propane tank to work properly, the valve must be above the liquid level so that vapor is drawn off to go through the system. A standard tank would have the valve below the liquid level when the tank is full. A horizontal tank has the valve offset so that when it is installed, the valve is above the liquid level. That is my understanding of why it is not okay to transport a standard 20lb cylinder on its side."

I think this is important enough to need its own topic. I also think this is something that should be part of a FAQ on safe transportation and use of propane.

I have looked at different LP tanks on Amazon, and see that some that look like converted vertical cylinders have the valve offset so that the valve would be above the liquid level when the tank is mounted horizontally. These appear to be suitable for use either vertically or horizontally. They need to be filled while in the vertical position.

True horizontal tanks are meant to be mounted in the horizontal position and not moved for filling. These may have the vapor valve at the same or a lower level than the fill valve, but there must be some sort of internal tube in a case like this so that only vapor will be drawn off and not liquid when these are properly filled and used. As I do not have one to cut apart and see how it is made internally, I must speculate, but think this is likely a good reflection of the actual construction. However, if someone has better information, please add it so this will be an accurate and more useful discussion.

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GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2630	Topic: Proper carrying of propane tanks Posted: 07 Feb 2020 at 2:02pm
	That is exactly the situation. You want to draw vapor, and not liquid, so that requires that the pickup be at the top of the tank. Tanks designed to be mounted horizontally don't have the outlet at the end of the cylinder, but at the side AND they can not be rotated (to keep the pickup inside the tank at the top).
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289	Posted: 07 Feb 2020 at 1:47pm
	This subject came up in my mods. I installed a LiFePO4 battery inside which freed up the battery rack. I thought I might carry an extra tank there but found that there is insufficient vertical room for the tank. I remarked as such and Offgrid affirmed my conclusion. Geewizard asked, "Why isn't it ok to carry a propane tank on it's side?" and remarked, "I have a horizontal 30 lb propane tank in my truck camper. It has the same valve as any other propane tank." My comment was, "If you look at both a standard tank that is meant to be carried upright and one that is meant to be carried horizontally, you will see that there is a difference in valve placement. For the propane tank to work properly, the valve must be above the liquid level so that vapor is drawn off to go through the system. A standard tank would have the valve below the liquid level when the tank is full. A horizontal tank has the valve offset so that when it is installed, the valve is above the liquid level. That is my understanding of why it is not okay to transport a standard 20lb cylinder on its side." I think this is important enough to need its own topic. I also think this is something that should be part of a FAQ on safe transportation and use of propane. I have looked at different LP tanks on Amazon, and see that some that look like converted vertical cylinders have the valve offset so that the valve would be above the liquid level when the tank is mounted horizontally. These appear to be suitable for use either vertically or horizontally. They need to be filled while in the vertical position. True horizontal tanks are meant to be mounted in the horizontal position and not moved for filling. These may have the vapor valve at the same or a lower level than the fill valve, but there must be some sort of internal tube in a case like this so that only vapor will be drawn off and not liquid when these are properly filled and used. As I do not have one to cut apart and see how it is made internally, I must speculate, but think this is likely a good reflection of the actual construction. However, if someone has better information, please add it so this will be an accurate and more useful discussion.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS