Horizontal propane cylinder questions. I need a propane expert

[jacobconroy]

Hi All,
I just purchased a Worthington 308970 horizontal propane tank from Amazon. I intend to mount it to the side of a Teraflex Alta rack on my JK. I run a Propex heater, Partner stove, and sometimes a propane camp fire (during stage 2 fire restrictions). So, after some testing I've found that a 20 lb tank is necessary for my needs, and space is tight in the Jeep.

I'm concerned that I purchased the wrong tank. It is intended to be used for propane forklifts, and when it arrived today I see that it has a funky (though very nice) thread-on adapter included for connecting a hose. The item is said to be, "horizontal use only, vapor service only, and vertical fill".

It has a very nice gauge built in. My thought is that I will finally be able to see how much propane I have, and I will be able to easily reach the valve since it's horizontal...and high up on the rack.

Can I ask any local propane shop to fill this tank (in the vertical position), install it horizontally on my Jeep, and attach the items mentioned above? My best guess is that I can. An experienced opinion would be great. I think that "vapor service only" means that it functions like any other vertical, run-of-the-mill 20 lb propane tanks. Such as you would connect to a grill.

Thanks.

 

[Haf-E]

I wouldn't say I am a propane expert - but I've been using the forklift tanks as well in both liquid and vapor applications. Sounds like you have the right tank for the application. The gauge will not be perfect but is useful - but only when parked on level ground.

 

[perterra]

Chances are you will be asked to remove it and reinstall it with every fill. A quick disconnect for the hose would simplify that task if you are just clamping the tank in.

 

[Corey]

And there should be no reason to have it vertical to fill.
I drive various forklifts for Boeing, and they all use a horizontal mounted tank, and we fill them back up daily from a HUGE tank, and we do not remove them, so we also fill them in the horizontal position.

 

[perterra]

And there should be no reason to have it vertical to fill.
I drive various forklifts for Boeing, and they all use a horizontal mounted tank, and we fill them back up daily from a HUGE tank, and we do not remove them, so we also fill them in the horizontal position.

The reason for the vertical fill is to assure the safety valve is in contact with vapor and not liquid. Some tanks are designed to be filled universally, either way, some horizontal, some vertical. If it says vertical, they wont fill it horizontal though it's likely not a problem as long as the safety is oriented correctly. Or as my doctor told me about high cholesterol, it aint a problem till its a problem.

No offense but just because it has been done before is not a sign it is a safe practice. Tanks that are designed to be removed like a forklift tank are expected to be removed and filled by weight on a scale in commercial business, it will be hard to weigh mounted. Over filling is an issue that leads to much bigger problems if it vents in an environment that is not safe. Airgas burned down a city block in Tulsa back in 03, all because a propane cylinder vented and ignited.

 

[Haf-E]

Vapor service is exactly what the typical BBQ 20lb bottle provides - the output is from the "top" of the tank so is the expanded gas and not the compressed liquid. With the horizontal tanks there is an internal tube which reaches up into the top of the tank from the output valve which achieves this - so the important thing is mounting the tank with the correct orientation "up" when installed horizontally - on forklifts there is a pin which prevents incorrect mounting.

 

[Corey]

The reason for the vertical fill is to assure the safety valve is in contact with vapor and not liquid. Some tanks are designed to be filled universally, either way, some horizontal, some vertical. If it says vertical, they wont fill it horizontal though it's likely not a problem as long as the safety is oriented correctly. Or as my doctor told me about high cholesterol, it aint a problem till its a problem.

No offense but just because it has been done before is not a sign it is a safe practice. Tanks that are designed to be removed like a forklift tank are expected to be removed and filled by weight on a scale in commercial business, it will be hard to weigh mounted. Over filling is an issue that leads to much bigger problems if it vents in an environment that is not safe. Airgas burned down a city block in Tulsa back in 03, all because a propane cylinder vented and ignited.

Yeah, here at work we crack open the small vent valve so you can hear it hissing, and when we fill it as soon as white vapor comes out, we close that tiny valve and also turn off the pump too.
Our gauges are pretty accurate on the tank, and we also have a green/red light on the upper switch panel that will come on red when it is near empty.
When that happens, you have about one minute before the tank is bone dry.
All of our filling too at all sites are down outside, never inside of a building.

 

[Corey]

Wonder how that works ?
Would speculate it detects pressuredrop as the very last of the liquid is evaporated and the motor is truly "running on vapours".

Could be, my main lift is a Linde 35.

 

[jacobconroy]

Thanks for all the answers guys. Lots of info! I went out to the shop and putzed around...read all the labels...and everything above sounds correct to me. I'll go ahead with the mounting this weekend. At Noon tomorrow I'll run down to the propane guy to make sure he can attach to the fill nozzle. It's different than any propane nozzle I've seen before.

So, I REALLY like the tank connector that came with this, and want to order more ends to put on the hose for the stove, Propex, and camp fire. Anybody know what these are called or where to get them? The only number on it is G11054l. I found something comparable on Amazon that would probably work fine. I'd rather have the Worthington part though. Very solid and easy to use.

 

[Corey]

That is a nice looking tank, and looks like the same gauges on our tanks at work.
We also have the yellow screw on cover there for the fill valve.

 

[Haf-E]

That connector looks like a typical forklift tank connector - I doubt if worthington makes their own...

https://www.amazon.com/MRK-SALES-INC-Forklift-Connector/dp/B004KND0YQ

 

[perterra]

Thanks for all the answers guys. Lots of info! I went out to the shop and putzed around...read all the labels...and everything above sounds correct to me. I'll go ahead with the mounting this weekend. At Noon tomorrow I'll run down to the propane guy to make sure he can attach to the fill nozzle. It's different than any propane nozzle I've seen before.

So, I REALLY like the tank connector that came with this, and want to order more ends to put on the hose for the stove, Propex, and camp fire. Anybody know what these are called or where to get them? The only number on it is G11054l. I found something comparable on Amazon that would probably work fine. I'd rather have the Worthington part though. Very solid and easy to use.

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I thought that was a liquid usage fitting?

 

[jacobconroy]

I thought that was a liquid usage fitting?

Huh? I hope not. Now you have my worried again. As of now I think it's a vapor use tank with a liquid vertical fill inlet. Am I wrong?

I appreciate all the input.

 

[perterra]

Huh? I hope not. Now you have my worried again. As of now I think it's a vapor use tank with a liquid vertical fill inlet. Am I wrong?

I appreciate all the input.

Some one can correct me if I am wrong, I thought forklifts used a liquid delivery into a vaporizer on the engine. Which is why you never see forklift tanks freezing up on the forklifts.

 

[perterra]

Looked it up on Worthingtons web site, it is a vapor service cylinder, I would source an adapter to to screw in to the valve instead of changing out all your hoses to the fork lift fitting.

http://worthingtonindustries.com/ge...e0561eaf6/lpg_outdoor-equip_0514.pdf?ext=.pdf