We had the original equipment propane bottle. We have aqua hot and not propane heat. We have a residential refrigerator. We only use the propane for cooktop now and that is somewhat limited usage as the convection microwave does most of the cooking or a induction that I use outside for bacon and such.
Following the lead of Roger Engdahl, I wanted to replace the large tank with a small propane tank. The photos are the installation that MOT Keith Davis did for us. 11 lb tanks.
Note that I can use one bottle for a fire pit, use in place or remove, and leave the other in place for cooktop. I can take the bottle to get a refill easier than driving the coach. And it reduces weight about 100 lbs and gains storage if I want.
Not for everyone I am sure, but posting as an option if you might want to consider.
Hope all are well, having a beautiful day wherever you are. It is 46 in East Texas, overcast But spring is on the way, you can feel it.
Mike,
AND it can fuel the fish cooker!
Looks great Mike! Hope you and Jackie are doing well. I'll be in Naco in March. I'll call you to set up a time to meet for dinner.
Mike
Sign says 10 lb steel gas cylinder
For us 'old timers' the large bottles are a pain to lug around when full. I intalled a 'tee' and use the smaller bottle. The gen set will only work on the big built-in, so I just use that (kept full) for a power outage, or such.
When replacing your OEM tank with smaller tanks, be aware that they will not be automatically refilled like our big tanks. They have a re-qualification date stamped on the tank. Review this site so you don't get refused at a propane facility: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/propane_en_v3.pdf
Pierce
Around 15 years ago, I bought a motorhome with a pretty rusty propane tank. I just planned on replacing it. When I went to a place to inquire about having it replaced, I was so surprised when they told me what Pierce says above. They said that was "just surface rust there on the bottom, wire brush it off and repaint." "No problem with us filling it up with propane today."
That was easily done, took last than an hour. Painted with a white spray paint specifically made to paint on a rusty surface, even though I had removed all the rust.
https://youtu.be/FYg90TehcgQ
I plan on doing this same mod myself this summer to further save weight.
FYI, if you use the standard 20# bar-b-que grill tanks (from Costco for instance), when their certification expires and a propane filling station won't fill them, just exchange em at a Home Depot or any other exchange location...most mini-marts and truck stops...for more current tanks. Been doing it that way for over 20 years, and have never had anyone inspect the returned tank for service date code. Seems the tank recert cycle cost is built into the exchange price structure.
Anyone had any success in selling the original tank?
Woody.
Here in my local community the charge to recertify a tank is $30.00. Which having paid and watched it being done is a joke. Using the exchange at any propane site is good business as a consumer.! Having read where others have removed propane usage from their Rv, it makes sense. The china diesel heaters, the induction cook tops, electric pressure cookers and microwave have changed fuels needed to heat and cook. Solar power and battery advances now make electric coachs much more efficient. We will see e RV's in our life time.
Resale of the propane tank is actually easy as the market for them is large. Using any of the selling apps should result in a buyer. From tiny house owners to other Rv users.
Nice job, Mike. I have had two 20 lb tanks recertified, less than $10 each.
I used 11 lb tanks. One in the old LP bay and hold the other stores in a modified space above the water pump. It saves up to 100 lbs and frees up a lot of space, First go around I put 4 L16 AGM batteries, 830 amp hrs, in that space plus the small LP tank.
I sold the OEM tank in 2 dats on Craig's list for $200. They are $600 new.
Costco has new 30 lb propane cylinders for $45 with free shipping. 20 pounders are $10 or so cheaper.
For those wanting to re-purpose older tanks, they have a minimum burst pressure of 960 psi. Good for a portable air tank for tires, etc, etc. You do have to get all propane out of the tank. The odorant in the tank takes a HD cleaner to get rid of the smell. Even at maximum heat and maximum pressure, propane tanks don't see over 360 psi.
Pierce
Is there any difference in the certification or design on an installed propane tank? Like in a crash?
Wonder about insurance company questioning things IF something were to occur?
30 lb tank are too tall to fit under the drawer, 20 lb tanks are too wide for two in a U320.
The 11 lb tank lasts 4 months for our cook top that gets used every day.
I seem to remember reading a post somewhere (maybe Brian in Australia) that the compartment containing propane tanks is required, by law, to NOT be equipped with locks.
Our 1989 GV has locks on all compartments except the propane tank compartment.
NFPA section 1192 (National Fire Protection Association) requires that the propane compartment remain unlocked at all times. All the details here but you won't want to read the whole thing: http://www.niordc.ir/uploads/nfpa_1192_-_2005.pdf
Pierce