Any LPGologists out there?

Personally I think it's a thing that is worth paying the experts for. Is the tank pressure tested and approved for the type of use you propose to use it. Liquid gas systems on motorhomes come with a certificate when fitted and tested by an approved person, even if you did it yourself you would need to pay for it to be tested.
 
If you want to build your own underslung system you'll need at least the following.

A tank which doesn't allow filling above 80%
A valve which shuts the flow off in the event of a crash.
A level gauge with a remote reader unless you want to try guessing when it is about to run out.
A manual shutoff valve at the tank.
A non- return valve at the tank end of the filling pipe.
Another non-return valve at the filler I believe.
A regulator of course, close to the tank ideally to reduce the length of high pressure pipe.
I suspect there are other safety features built in too. :)

This page lists a few regulations which might give further detail on what is required.

Autogas Leisure 2000 Limited - Refillable Gas Tanks

Autogas 2000 Leisure Limited, Motorhome LPG refillable gas Solutions and refillable gas bottles.
autogasleisure.co.uk
 
By the time you have put the Filler/Gauge Sender unit in you are already looking at the thick end of £200. Add the Pipework and fittings?. I would guess you will be close to a Full installation?. And still need to pay for certification for your Insurers?. (it`s a "modification"). They will want to see it certified.

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If that is indeed an LPG tank - I suspect it is but as above you need to be sure - then all you need to complete it is this:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=323780250179

You would need to check with the supplier that it is intended for vapour (rather than liquid) off-take. Tanks can be used for either as can multivalves but the outlet pipe for vapour turns up towards the top of the tank.
 
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Just to be clear, im not going to be winging it and doing it myself!

I was looking on ebay and the tanks were small and about £500.

Just been on lpgshop.co.uk and seems to be more what im looking for. The tank kits have a million options though and i dont really know what i need ?
 
there are broadly speaking 2 types of LPG tanks for vehicles, Liquid take off for running a converted engine and vapour take off for domestic heating and cooking

Liquid take off tanks are the cheapest, but you need vapour take off
 
the stako tank in your link is liquid take off for propulsion

look here

LPG propane motorhome leisure gas solutions

Full range of LPG propane motorhome leisure gas solutions. Underslung gas tanks, different types of refillable LPG bottles, regulators, devices and accessories.
www.lpgshop.co.uk www.lpgshop.co.uk

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GasIt supply tanks up to about 160 Litre. Not massive money and great kit (I have one.But not that big)

Manual Operated GAS IT Tanks - GAS IT Leisure Gas Bottles, Gas Cylinders and Gas Tanks - Catering, Motorhome, Campervan, Caravan, Farrier and Road Repair Refillable Gas Solutions.

GAS IT Refillable Gas bottles, Refillable Gas tanks Gas bottle, alugas and Leisure Gas Tanks Solutions & gas Products for Motorhome's, campervan's Caravan's, Catering, Farrier, Forge and Road Repair Companies Factory Direct gas Equipment Suppliers to Auto-Sleepers, Wildax, IH Motorhomes...
www.gasit.co.uk www.gasit.co.uk
 
£300 for 120ltr tank with all bits is pretty good!! I terrible for just looking on ebay.

TheBig1 i looked on there, if you want to help me pick which options I need i might make progress ?
 
TheBig1 said:
the stako tank in your link is liquid take off for propulsion

look here

LPG propane motorhome leisure gas solutions

Full range of LPG propane motorhome leisure gas solutions. Underslung gas tanks, different types of refillable LPG bottles, regulators, devices and accessories.
www.lpgshop.co.uk www.lpgshop.co.uk
Click to expand...
How can you tell? Until the multivalve is installed it's just a tank. There's a convention for painting vapour take-off tanks red but other than that they're exactly the same. The last tank I sourced for a friend who chose the size based on his caravan front locker was only available as a liquid take-off. I explained the problem to the supplier who supplied it with the liquid take-off multivalve removed but with a replacement vapour take-off multivalve in a polythene bag for me to install.
 
30l lpg torpedo tank is about the right size.
They have a small fill dial on them with 3 wires.
You can buy a small 12V LED Gague that sits on your dashboard connected to an ignition live.
When you start the engine the LED's go dot dot dot to indicate the tank's contents.
If you fit the regulator below the level of the LPG it will freeze up. It needs to be slightly higher than the middle of the tank.
Autotrail Panel vans come with the above set up.
If You go on Le Tunnel You can turn the LPG off at the tank { isolate }.
You need good supports for the tank as they are heavy empty and very heavy full.
 
MANGOFORTH said:
Looking at underslung lpg tanks and they are expensive and small.


What do i need to make this what i want.


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=254422030939

It will done by ny welding gas man, just want to have an idea first.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Take a look at TinleyTech for what you need. They supply to a lot of installers and do motorhome specific kits.

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This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
I think the first step is to see what room you have to fit as big a tank as practical----- we have a 100? Litre and it is really good, ----- it will affect your payload though!!!!----- we are 6 t gross so it doesn't give us a problem!
AFAIK the gas and liquid take off is the same tank--- just the outlet is from the top of bottom of the tank????
I would leave the whole job to people who know what they are doing!!!!! It may appear expensive but will be very much appreciated over the years!!!!
 
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jezport said:
Personally I think it's a thing that is worth paying the experts for. Is the tank pressure tested and approved for the type of use you propose to use it. Liquid gas systems on motorhomes come with a certificate when fitted and tested by an approved person, even if you did it yourself you would need to pay for it to be tested.
Click to expand...
Suprisingly there actually isn’t any requirement for a test ⚠️
Most of the installers will have at best a NCC ACOPs /STGW qualification which is a basic gas training for purely privately owned and used Motorhome/ leisure vehicle/ caravan.
A few days Mickey Mouse course and they all call themselves Gas Engineers ⚠️??☹️
But many installers will actually have no qualifications in gas work at all , including some dealers ?⚠️
There isn’t any certificate available for either refillable cylinders or underslung tanks for habitation purposes as far as I am aware,
Also to add to this the NCC actually advised its members in 2015 not to work on underslung lpg tanks/systems as there is no relevant training available ⚠️
 
I agree with the above. If you install diy, I recommend a Tee piece with test nipple along the 8mm pipe, and check for pressure drop periodically. The testing procedure involves a test at 5 times the operating pressure, you will need a pump and gas shut off.
Another alternative is working regulator pressure but no drop at all.
I use a monument tools pressure gauge and test at regulator pressure, every 4-6 months, depending on use.
 
Raul said:
I agree with the above. If you install diy, I recommend a Tee piece with test nipple along the 8mm pipe, and check for pressure drop periodically. The testing procedure involves a test at 5 times the operating pressure, you will need a pump and gas shut off.
Another alternative is working regulator pressure but no drop at all.
I use a monument tools pressure gauge and test at regulator pressure, every 4-6 months, depending on use.
Click to expand...
PM sent
 
Thanks for the replys. But again. Im not going to do this myself, just want to know what's involved and what equipment is needed

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MANGOFORTH said:
£300 for 120ltr tank with all bits is pretty good!! I terrible for just looking on ebay.

TheBig1 i looked on there, if you want to help me pick which options I need i might make progress ?
Click to expand...
www.lpgshop.co.uk

120 Litres Motorhome Gas Tank Ø360mm by 1298mm

20L Motorhome Vapour Gas Tank Ø200mm by 721mm with set of valves and box Red vapour tanks are specially designed for campervans, caravans, motorhomes and any other RV vehicles as they provide gas in vapour phase. The tank can be safely refilled trough dedicated filling point at every Autogas...
www.lpgshop.co.uk www.lpgshop.co.uk
this is what I would fit. the kit includes the important bits you will need. then you have to add a suitable length fill hose and remote fill point, regulator and pipework to suit
tonyidle said:
How can you tell? Until the multivalve is installed it's just a tank. There's a convention for painting vapour take-off tanks red but other than that they're exactly the same. The last tank I sourced for a friend who chose the size based on his caravan front locker was only available as a liquid take-off. I explained the problem to the supplier who supplied it with the liquid take-off multivalve removed but with a replacement vapour take-off multivalve in a polythene bag for me to install.
Click to expand...
I did a search for the model number and the blurb lists it for propulsion use only
 
Basildog said:
Suprisingly there actually isn’t any requirement for a test ⚠
Most of the installers will have at best a NCC ACOPs /STGW qualification which is a basic gas training for purely privately owned and used Motorhome/ leisure vehicle/ caravan.
A few days Mickey Mouse course and they all call themselves Gas Engineers ⚠??☹
But many installers will actually have no qualifications in gas work at all , including some dealers ?⚠
There isn’t any certificate available for either refillable cylinders or underslung tanks for habitation purposes as far as I am aware,
Also to add to this the NCC actually advised its members in 2015 not to work on underslung lpg tanks/systems as there is no relevant training available ⚠
Click to expand...
Yes but my requirement is to have a person who is an expert fit and test any system I have in my vehicle. That is why I use Autogas 2000. Even if as you describe as in your opinion a "Mickey Mouse Course"qualified person fits a system , they are still more qualified than a DIYer and as they are working for a business they will be insured. You have to take responsibility for a system that stores liquid gas under pressure in a mobile vehicle in a quantity big enough to kill a number of people. Personally I respect the people enough around me to pay a bit extra to have it done by an expert who has fitted these systems for many years, has the training, has the insurance and hast a good reputation.
 
jezport said:
Yes but my requirement is to have a person who is an expert fit and test any system I have in my vehicle. That is why I use Autogas 2000. Even if as you describe as in your opinion a "Mickey Mouse Course"qualified person fits a system , they are still more qualified than a DIYer and as they are working for a business they will be insured. You have to take responsibility for a system that stores liquid gas under pressure in a mobile vehicle in a quantity big enough to kill a number of people. Personally I respect the people enough around me to pay a bit extra to have it done by an expert who has fitted these systems for many years, has the training, has the insurance and hast a good reputation.
Click to expand...
Yes Chris is certainly an expert but sadly many others aren’t ⚠
We tend to call the diy experts Silicone Bob and his band of PTFE bandits ?
Plenty of so called professional installers that are using PTFE tape on fittings that shouldn’t be and actually creating problems ⚠
I won’t mention names but a few of us in the industry share pictures of some of the Professionals work ⚠??☹
 
Basildog said:
Yes Chris is certainly an expert but sadly many others aren’t ⚠
We tend to call the diy experts Silicone Bob and his band of PTFE bandits ?
Plenty of so called professional installers that are using PTFE tape on fittings that shouldn’t be and actually creating problems ⚠
I won’t mention names but a few of us in the industry share pictures of some of some of the Professionals work ⚠??☹
Click to expand...
Thats why I am careful where I get safety sensitive repairs and modifications carried out and dont mind paying for it. There are a lot of penny pinchers who would risk everyons lives in the local vicinity to save a few quid.

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I have never had reason to use PTFE on Gas Fittings, generally the joint should seal if properly made with correct sized component?. When it was first in common use, it was thought it may degrade electrical conductivity, where some where concerned about Static Electricity and earthing. "Calor tite" was a popular sealant for some. On HP Steam and water we mainly used white lead paste and hemp!. (old school). As apprentices we where "severely frowned on" if we made a joint with any jointing paste, it was supposed to not leak if you made it correctly!. I had a ball checking joints on new build ships!.
 
PeteH said:
I have never had reason to use PTFE on Gas Fittings, generally the joint should seal if properly made with correct sized component?. When it was first in common use, it was thought it may degrade electrical conductivity, where some where concerned about Static Electricity and earthing. "Calor tite" was a popular sealant for some. On HP Steam and water we mainly used white lead paste and hemp!. (old school). As apprentices we where "severely frowned on" if we made a joint with any jointing paste, it was supposed to not leak if you made it correctly!. I had a ball checking joints on new build ships!.
Click to expand...

That takes me back to my builder's labouring days when i learnt from plumbers how to make a washer out of hemp and paste. But they were only using it on water pipes.

It came in handy for my own DIY when one could not be arsed to go around to builder's merchants to find the correct-sized washer.

Geoff
 
nicholsong said:
That takes me back to my builder's labouring days when i learnt from plumbers how to make a washer out of hemp and paste. But they were only using it on water pipes.

It came in handy for my own DIY when one could not be arsed to go around to builder's merchants to find the correct-sized washer.

Geoff
Click to expand...
OR, when you are 3000miles from the nearest Plumbers Merchant!. It`s amazing JUST what you can use with success. I`ve had 250psi (and more) of steam, on pipework with bolted flange joints made with Chart Paper and Grapphite!.
 
boss white and hemp, lovely memories :ROFLMAO:

when I was 3 or 4 my mum had the local ladies round for coffee and biscuits. I quickly got bored so crawled into the cupboard beside the fireplace which just happened to house the 1 1/4" flow and return to the back boiler. In this cupboard I discovered dad had left his 18" stillsons after working on the pipes. I picked up the stillsons and gave the pipes a good beating, swearing like an Irish navie.

My mother was most distressed and asked what I thought I was doing........

I am being a plumber, just like daddy does, was my reply

mum never had the ladies round for coffee again :ROFLMAO:
 
PeteH said:
I have never had reason to use PTFE on Gas Fittings, generally the joint should seal if properly made with correct sized component?. When it was first in common use, it was thought it may degrade electrical conductivity, where some where concerned about Static Electricity and earthing. "Calor tite" was a popular sealant for some. On HP Steam and water we mainly used white lead paste and hemp!. (old school). As apprentices we where "severely frowned on" if we made a joint with any jointing paste, it was supposed to not leak if you made it correctly!. I had a ball checking joints on new build ships!.
Click to expand...
This will make your eyes bleed then ?❌?⚠️
Work by a (professional) ⚠️
4B60188B-310C-4C04-8EA3-31881D016B92.png

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