Author |
Message |
specialev Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2011 Posts: 281 Location: Mukilteo WA
|
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:26 pm Post subject: Any reason not to leave valve on propane tank open? |
|
|
I've got a propex heater (only propane powered accessory) and I'm in the habit of always closing the valve on my propane tank when not using the heat. A lot of times I find myself too lazy to hop out and open it back up when want to turn on the heat to speed up the warming of the interior.
So, I'm wondering if there is any reason not to leave the valve on my propane tank open all the time?
What do you do? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
joseph928 Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011 Posts: 2114 Location: flagstaff az.
|
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:56 pm Post subject: propane tank |
|
|
Turn it off, it's a safety hazard to many things can go wrong. If God forbid you get into a wreck , hit on the side. you want the valve off, or the copper pipe could leak! You go Boom! _________________ 1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
shepherdsond Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005 Posts: 439 Location: Bellingham, WA
|
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Propane on - no Boom
It did spring a leak though as there was no propane left 3 weeks later. My only reason for leaving propane on was to run the fridge. Definately safer to turn off though. _________________ 87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GreenMachineVW Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2008 Posts: 645
|
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I leave it on if I can. I often have the fridge going all summer while daily driving. I get about three weeks of cool per tank. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
|
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Turn it off when your not using anything requiring propane. _________________ T.K. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GWTWTLW Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008 Posts: 2174 Location: Portland, OR
|
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
When I rolled my Adventurewagen, my stove was ripped completely out leaving a ripped copper tube. If my propane had been on, I probably wouldn't be writing this. Take it for for whatever it's worth... _________________ 89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nodrenim Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2006 Posts: 843 Location: Dobson, North Carolina
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
In the commonwealth of Virginia it is illegal to have your propane turned on while traveling on a public highway. There was an explosion at a truck stop, when an RV propane system blew, while re-fueling at the pump. It was not a pretty site, pieces of semi's, rv's and people everywhere. The pump island was totaled out. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9770 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
You should certainly turn it off at the main if you will be parked in a confined area such as a garage.
It is my recollection (October 31, 1963) that prorpane is most dangerous when a quantity can pool in a confined area prior to ignition. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16450 Location: Brookeville, MD
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
I keep it off. I've seen folks fool with the burner knobs and leave them on. Kids do that too. If the propane was on you could have a tragic result. Yes it is a pain to have to turn it on each time you use it but the downside is potentially life threatening. Not to say there aren't plenty of instances when accidents did not rupture the propane line, but if it happened to you...... _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ZanaEvyPapa Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2010 Posts: 255 Location: Gainesville, FL
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
looks like we need an innovation. how about a remote control propane valve/solenoid? There are such things in the fireplace realm. Someone crafty could borrow the parts/tech and make it happen. Sorry, I'm just good for ideas... _________________ 82 Diesel Westy
03 Jetta TDI
Gainesville, FL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15119 Location: Syracuse, NY
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
12v solenoids to "turn on" propane delivery (like danfromsyr just linked) have been in use on yachts for a couple decades.. at least.
Check out WestMarine's site, Defender, or Jamestown Distribitors, too.
Pretty safe.. and so very easy to use. I am installing my propex and will have one in use in my system. _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
I leave my propane tank valve on ALL the time. I do not leave my stove knobs on. I have not rolled my van, and have not blown up.
otoh, the way to start a fire is to go to a propane station for a refil, and leave your fridge on while he pumps the Propane. (I know, you dont have a fridge, but imo, Van propane fires are caused by refilling the tank with the fridge pilot lit.)
And yes, those electric shutoffs look like a good option.
imo, if youre avoiding using the propex because you keep turning the valve off, dont keep turning the valve off.
You might also get Karl to weigh in on this, since he sells the Propex, Im sure he has an opinion. _________________ My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco |
|
Back to top |
|
|
shepherdsond Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005 Posts: 439 Location: Bellingham, WA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 3990 Location: Maine
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
davevickery Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2887 Location: Fort Collins, CO
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: Any reason not to leave valve on propane tank open? |
|
|
Timwhy wrote: |
Get out of the Westy and turn it back on, only takes a few seconds! |
No way I'm getting out of the van in the morning to turn the heater propane on. It's cold out there... If I'm o.k. sleeping with propane flowing and heater running, I'm o.k. with the valve being open in the driveway. Sheesh, what else can we get paranoid about. It is a RV with propane service, that is what it is made for. Not a big deal to leave the valve open. And I use the LP fridge while driving, so it doesn't get shut off then either, and if I recall correctly, it was acceptable to run the fridge on LP while driving. The valve is only closed occassionally, like when filling or taking a Ferry ride. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SteveVanB Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008 Posts: 1645 Location: This side of Daytona
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: |
Sheesh, what else can we get paranoid about. |
Thats an open ended question......... _________________ 91 CARAT |
|
Back to top |
|
|
msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:41 pm Post subject: Definitely when... |
|
|
Turn off the valve and the fridge on propane when getting a refill. My propane people, who are VERY good, say, 'Instant Van-Be-Que.'
No.
Best! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am almost positive that if you take a look at the Westfalia suppliment in with, and included your owner's manual that it is not suggested to run with the reefer on propane.
The position of the stainless vent on the side of the Van will scoop up plenty of air at speed and has a real good posibility of blowing that flame out in the ice box.
I believe it is suggested that the reefer run on 12 volts while enroute, or on the roll.
I for sure wouldn't have the tank open while on the highway.
Whatever goes on in back with kids, girlfriends--whoever,you have not one iota of control--
No Thanks.
I like rolling the bones, and living a little on the wild side, but not when it comes to something I won't know anything about until the kaboom.
Nyet.
Fire & explosions are out. _________________ T.K.
Last edited by Terry Kay on Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:52 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
silversync Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: San Pasqual Valley, CA
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
? Any reason not to leave valve on propane tank open?
It depends.... _________________ Roland: '89 Syncro, '02 911 C4S, '10 Audi A4 Avant |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|