How do I plump 8 40# tanks together?

[darkostoj]

I have a 5th wheel RV and was wondering on how I could add extra capacity since I spend long periods of time in desolate areas and have the heat, generator, hot water, fridge, and stove run off propane.

8 40# tanks nets me roughly 80 gallons or so (would like to fit more but can't). I have an open storage space and that is all I can fit to get the maximum capacity for the area. I would prefer to run a single larger tank, but its not possible.

I have an automatic changover valve and I was thinking about running 6 tanks to one end and the 1-2 on the reserve so I know when I am low.

What is the best way to plumb the tanks? Do I need check valves or anything special? When I fill them can I just hook up the line and fill until the OPD valve stops or do I have to take them all out and fill them individually?

I've never done anything like this before so forgive my ignorance.

Thank you!

 

[Bruce4310TX]

i would think you would have too fill them individually, make your self a black pipe manifold and ck for leaks would work just fine.

 

[Milton Shaw]

By open storage space do you mean an area under RV that is enclosed or one that is all the way open where any leak can be vented out. I would not put propane tanks in an enclosed space on an RV as that I am sure is against code/law in most places. That is why they are sitting on the bumper or somewhere else that will not contain gas before exploding.

 

[Smiliesafari]

Pictures would help. I have three 10 gallon Worthington tanks in my hotair balloon. All are plumbed together. All can be fueled at the same time. A manifold to connect your tanks together is not very difficult to fabricate.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ This. Research all DOT regs that would affect you in state-to-state travel.

Might get around rules if two or three 40 lb tanks were SECURELY and appropriately fastened in open air pickup bed (ie NOT connected . .. but full tanks that you would switch out on RV). However, research that also as finicky travels like enclosed tunnels, etc. might have limits on those as well.

I'd research all your refill locations for LPG . . . BEFORE . . . travels underway and have a gameplan, rather than just get shocked when RV park/UHaul/etc charge $4 or $5 per gallon !! You do know that's their bread & butter profit they are counting on !!

 

[Falcon67]

I can't find it, but I thought I read somewhere that 90 lbs was some limit for LP without certain permits. Hard to find as the regs are aimed at "commercial". However, there are state regs and they vary. For regular fuel, you can haul under 1000 lbs without a permit or placard.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I'm thinking, and vaguely remember, a DOT limit on the number of tanks allowed to be carried without a transportation license and a DOT sign on your vehicle.
Two comes to mind. I remember this because the number of tanks versus the amount carried is odd and seems unreasonable.

Hazmat call, traffic shut down, impound, court, potentially, yet improbable, mandatory sentence due to newish terrorist laws... I'd ask at a qualified retail service place and then follow up with a call to a welding gas supply place to ask their opinion on license and transport.

I don't care, you and the station filling those might care.

YUP!

Tommy

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have an automatic changover valve and I was thinking about running 6 tanks to one end and the 1-2 on the reserve so I know when I am low.

You NEVER want to hook all your tanks to one "manifold" without some kind of valving. Because the top portion of each tank is gaseous propane, they will all balance and the level will go down equally, just like multiple rain barrels hooked together at the bottom.

When I fill them can I just hook up the line and fill until the OPD valve stops or do I have to take them all out and fill them individually?

You will save a lot of money if you haul them to a filling station.

When they fill my 20# tank, the loosen the overflow/vent screw and pump until liquid (which turns to gas instantly) come out. I would assume they do the same fro your individual tanks.

If you are going to have the truck come out to your place, they may not like your manifold and may refuse to fill it.


Personally, I would just rent 2 - 100# tanks with an automatic changeover. The truck will deliver you a new tank within a day or 2 of your phone call.

 

[KRB52]

Each forty pounder is about 70# full, so your eight tanks will be 560 pounds total. A hundred pound tank is roughly 150 pounds, full (that's the weight of the propane and the tank.)

You may want to check with an RV place and see what they have for tanks. We get campers into the store that have self-contained tanks that we fill.

Where I work, we charge a flat rate for 20, 30, 40 and 100 pound tanks. If some sort of apparatus like the OP described came in, I would charge him for 8 forty pound tanks, not by the gallon.

 

[Adk Mike]

If you want to tie some tanks together its easy. Find a LPG service guy at a diner. Tell him you need some tee blocks and pig tails. Put the tee's in the tanks and tie them together with the pig tails. The first one you may need a POL by QCC adapter if your camper has a hand wheel. Mike.

 

[Falcon67]

Each forty pounder is about 70# full, so your eight tanks will be 560 pounds total. A hundred pound tank is roughly 150 pounds, full (that's the weight of the propane and the tank.)

You may want to check with an RV place and see what they have for tanks. We get campers into the store that have self-contained tanks that we fill.

Where I work, we charge a flat rate for 20, 30, 40 and 100 pound tanks. If some sort of apparatus like the OP described came in, I would charge him for 8 forty pound tanks, not by the gallon.

This is what's done around here. By-the-lb is for big 100+ lbs tanks or set tanks. "BBQ" and RV type cans are flat rate. My 30 lb tanks are all $25/each without regard to existing fill.

 

[6768rogues]

I get my tanks filled at Tractor Supply. They sell by the gallon. I just had a 20# tank filled with 4.4 gallons of propane for $8.65.