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EvilDNA
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 116
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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 Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Again. That brings me full circle. I now have each step laid out for the install. For those reading along, I'll point out something regarding the 'stock' nuts that presumably are for the 'stock' westy propane tank, which I have verified to be on two vans I checked today.
My van, a 90 Multivan and Energy Concepts van, a 91 Carat, both had the four nuts on EACH side. Each nut had a plastic filler 'bolt' that is threaded (moisture prevention we assume) and can be removed with a phillips. (After you pull up the carpet) No actual bolts were in place, however, with the plasticy filler 'bolt' removed, one can match threads and acquire the proper bolt for the task.
Once I source adequate straps, I simply plan to use the BD brackets that are included with the large tank as a solid 'footing' against the bottom of the floor pan. Thick rubber of some sort to go between the bracket and metal pan might be a good idea. Per Energy Concepts idea earlier in the post, I'll drill the BD Large Tank Brackets to regain the inch lost due to the bracket's current hole pattern.
Top down, I will thread the bolt, with lock washer and large flat washer down tight. I'm guessing 1 1/2 inch bolt will suffice. I don't plan on tack welding the bolt head to the top of the floor pan. From there, straps in place, a few nuts, lock washers and flat washer should finish it off.
Easy Peezy, Lemon Squeezy.
The real question now . . . do I want two tanks? Talk about Off Grid capable.
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1990 4 Speed Orly Blue Multivan |
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iltis74
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2003
Posts: 826
Location: Anchorage, AK
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| Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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| What is anybody gaining here in ground clearance with these wrap-around straps versus just using even 1/4" flat bar for a stock style bracket just welded to the top? Seems simple enough, am I missing something? Or does no one with the larger tank have a welder? Curious. |
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EvilDNA
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 116
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 8:57 am Post subject: |
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I do not have a welder, no. I went to Lowes and for 16.00 got all the hardware needed to mount the tank without any additional fabrication. So for me, the answer points to a no weld solution.
Clearance wise, the only loss would be relative the larger diameter of the new tank . . . speculation is about an inch.
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turbotransporter
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2006
Posts: 459
Location: Bainbridge Island WA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Energy Concepts wrote: |
Geeze maybe a picture could have saved a thousand words!
I even confused myself! 
Weld a strap to the top about 7 or 8 inches long
(as in example pic)
Weld a couple of braces & your done.
JC
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Simple is always good! I'll be using this approach on my 87 Westy Weekender.
I was planning to repaint the tank black to help hide it so I don't much care about the ruining the orginal paint (or powercoating?) by welding.
I'm going to set my propane tank up to feed my Propex furnace plus add a quick coupler to connect my camp stove/grill/etc. outside the sliding door.
Great thread! |
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Energy Concepts
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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Sketch of Tank End Mounting Brackets. 
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EvilDNA
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Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 116
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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I like that indeed. You can still use the strap idea or go strapless. Plus, run a few extra bolts through the box subframe with that little bend in the BD bracket.
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nod7
Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2010
Posts: 160
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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iltis74,
Stock style mounting brackets go over the top of the tank. And, the brackets themselves are held about a half inch from the underside of the van due to the bolt head, bolt head bracket etc.
By using straps, you get this space back because the straps hold the tank tight against the underside of the van vs putting bar and additional unused space between the tank and the underbelly of the van.
-nod7
| iltis74 wrote: |
| What is anybody gaining here in ground clearance with these wrap-around straps versus just using even 1/4" flat bar for a stock style bracket just welded to the top? Seems simple enough, am I missing something? Or does no one with the larger tank have a welder? Curious. |
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Energy Concepts
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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Looking at that picture
you would actually want the cross 2X2 angle to touch the tank.
This will still give a 1/4" space across the length of the tank.
JC
PS: We'll get there !!! 
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Energy Concepts
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Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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PS: With just a Strap around the tank
It will be able to spin.
Not good with a side hit.
It could rip all of the tubing out. 
you need a good wide base for it to mount up against. |
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Energy Concepts
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Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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Energy Concepts
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Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 11:46 am Post subject: |
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EvilDNA
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 116
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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John,
Along with the bolts, nuts and washers, I also got 14 gauge straps (the ones with holes spaced down the length. With your T bracket, do you think that kind of strap would suffice?
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buildyourown
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Joined: March 01, 2009
Posts: 1668
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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| How are you going to weld that steel to that aluminum? |
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EvilDNA
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Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 116
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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I believe that is a mock up for diagram purposes only.
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iltis74
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Joined: November 20, 2003
Posts: 826
Location: Anchorage, AK
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| EvilDNA wrote: |
| I also got 14 gauge straps (the ones with holes spaced down the length. With your T bracket, do you think that kind of strap would suffice? |
As a strap , sure, as a bracket, absolutely not. Too light. You're going to hit the brakes, the liquid propane is going to push against the end of the tank, and 5/64 steel punched full of holes is not going to be keeping anything in place.
I have a tank en-route, though no rush to install it when it arrives. I'll decide when it gets here whether or not I want to use the brackets it comes with, but I don't think I'll be making my own for the ends if I decide against them. Probably just cut them off completely and go stock style. The ride height of the thing can always be played with, just depends on how much time a guy wants to put into it. Speaking of which, EC, dang, you've already put more effort into your brackets than I hope to have in the entire install. |
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EvilDNA
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Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 116
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks. Sounds like I'm going with the T-Bracket 'footing' that Energy is talking about and using the 14 gauge ONLY as a strap. That should be a good way to go with minimal fabrication.
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Energy Concepts
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 7:12 am Post subject: & go from there... |
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| EvilDNA wrote: |
| Thanks. Sounds like I'm going with the T-Bracket 'footing' that Energy is talking about and using the 14 gauge ONLY as a strap. That should be a good way to go with minimal fabrication. |
>>>As a strap , sure, as a bracket, absolutely not. Too light. You're going to hit the brakes, the liquid propane is going to push against the end of the tank, and 5/64 steel punched full of holes is not going to be keeping anything in place.
In fact, as I was looking at the set up I am going to build.
Using the Bracket Plate that came with the BD Oversize Tank,
I was thinking it will be OK, especially with the quarter inch
reinforcing gussets that will be added.
And, the fact that it will be shortened.
Making it more ridged.
But, still, I was wishing it was a little thicker
Buying the steel this AM, We'll see what they have in the way of 4" strap.
& go from there...
JC... |
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Energy Concepts
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 4:13 pm Post subject: B/D OVERSIZE PROPANE TANK MOUNTS |
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Hi All,
Mounts coming along 
John C...
SLC, UT...
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Energy Concepts
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Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| PS: WENT WITH 3/16th's INCH STEEL |
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EvilDNA
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Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 116
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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That looks great! I'll be over at 10 tomorrow and knock mine out. Good work!
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