Todays gem 🤬(underslung LPG tank)

[Basildog]

If you have an underslung LPG tank that is hung in straps and/or mounted in a frame then you really should replace / inspect
Todays customer had liquid state LPG pouring out from under his panel van conversion when he last filled ( I won’t mention individual manufacturers but several of them have used this installation method)
The copper filler pipe had actually sheared off due to the inadequate mounting of the tank which has caused vibrations.
Tank was never properly installed and no stone chip protection was used.
Tank was replaced due to age / corrosion.

 

[Steve and Denise]

One of the reasons people are looking at Diesel/kerosene, no danger

 

[Basildog]

One of the reasons people are looking at Diesel/kerosene, no danger

That’s an interesting point of view
Personally I believe that diesel heaters are perfectly safe when correctly installed and supplied by a reputable manufacturer.
Unfortunately most diesel heaters are being fitted incorrectly and are poor quality Chinese crap

 

[Mikeco]

One of the reasons people are looking at Diesel/kerosene, no danger

If installed correctly then it’s not a problem, my tank is bolted through the floor into fixings on the tank, I also protected it with stone guard paint and is in good condition at 11 years old.

 

[Dall]

One of the reasons people are looking at Diesel/kerosene, no danger

Or Gaslow bottles inside a locker and away from the weather...

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[VXman]

Or Gaslow bottles inside a locker and away from the weather...

Underslung tank does seem ideally positioned for damage from the elements however well it is fitted. Also people probably just forget about it as they never see it so never think about maintenance/checking.

 

[olley]

Just had two new 100 litre LPG tanks fitted to the RV, (for propulsion) by Steve at Anglo American, he wasn't very complimentary about how original ones were fitted in 06.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Hi, Basildog ,I don't have any underslung tank but from the photos the tank in question looks quite old with the amount of corrosion although the hanging straps look in reasonable condition in comparison.
Can you advise how old the tank is, approx.?

 

[Steve and Denise]

If installed correctly then it’s not a problem, my tank is bolted through the floor into fixings on the tank, I also protected it with stone guard paint and is in good condition at 11 years old.

I thought I read on here tanks and bottles only have a 10 year life ?

Basildog I did come and see you about having a tank fitted but it would only be possible to fit a 24ltr tank so not viable,
so I drew up a sketch and had a 46ltr tank made for kerosene to power my soon to be fitted heater that I will mount under the floor of my van and I will fit it correctly
Here are some pictures of my tank.

Incidentally Alde have been developing a diesel boiler.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

It looks a neat job Steve. 46 litres should last you a while.

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[Steve and Denise]

No picture ?

?????

 

[Basildog]

Hi, Basildog ,I don't have any underslung tank but from the photos the tank in question looks quite old with the amount of corrosion although the hanging straps look in reasonable condition in comparison.
Can you advise how old the tank is, approx.?

Tank was 10 years old but installed in a fairly sheltered position so actually in relatively good condition compared to many.
Yes those straps were not as badly corroded as we normally see, they were never designed to mount underslung LPG tanks they were to sit tanks in the boot of a vehicle.
The new LPG maintenance training course has finally been launched which as a company we fully support, in fact I have completed it myself to show our commitment.

 

[Bessy765]

Mine have been on just over three years now, there is a splash guard just out of picture that deflects anything picked up on the road.

 

[Bessy765]

We had a tank fitted by a company in wales in 2008 with those thin straps. It fell off less than 2 years later as stated those thin straps were for keeping the tank in the frame where the heavy frame was underneath. Ended up being dragged along by the filler hose luckily it was mounted at the rear of our Bessacar so didnt foul anything. Best left to the real professionals

 

[Jasz]

I'm considering the idea of an underslung tank - How do you turn them off for crossing on Eurotunnel?

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[Fontie]

I'm considering the idea of an underslung tank - How do you turn them off for crossing on Eurotunnel?

You turn off the the gas to appliances in the van. No need to do anything with the tank.

 

[ChrisL]

I thought I read on here tanks and bottles only have a 10 year life ?

Basildog I did come and see you about having a tank fitted but it would only be possible to fit a 24ltr tank so not viable,
so I drew up a sketch and had a 46ltr tank made for kerosene to power my soon to be fitted heater that I will mount under the floor of my van and I will fit it correctly
Here are some pictures of my tank.

Incidentally Alde have been developing a diesel boiler.View attachment 793978View attachment 793977View attachment 793976

Is the black frame steel? If it is you may want to consider putting a rubber sheet between the steel and aluminium or you may suffer from galvanic corrosion. Please google this for more info if you need to, corrosion can occur quite fast especially in saline environments so winter and salted roads will cause problems quite quickly. Nice neat job.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Is the black frame steel? If it is you may want to consider putting a rubber sheet between the steel and aluminium or you may suffer from galvanic corrosion. Please google this for more info if you need to, corrosion can occur quite fast especially in saline environments so winter and salted roads will cause problems quite quickly. Nice neat job.

Thanks Chris this was done on final fitting just for that very reason, but good advice all the same

 

[Bessy765]

You turn off the the gas to appliances in the van. No need to do anything with the tank.

Ours have remote switches with contents gauge controlled from inside the van or you will still have hp between tank and regulator!