Propane cylinder storage?

[IdaSHO]

Im trying to work out the simple matter of hauling our small camp stove propane cylinders in our Subaru.

I dont want to haul them in the car. Even if they are 100% leak free, they still smell. I have a couple of water tight ammo cans that I have considered using to contain them, then put the ammo cans in the car, but Im not sold on that idea either.

I do have a roof rack and a basket. But for longer distance trips, and ones that simply do not require as much gear, I like to avoid using the rack and basket due to fuel mileage concerns. Running the rack and basket is an instant 2-3mpg hit.

So Im looking at clever ways to store these cylinders. We normally take 2-3. They are used for cooking purposes, and heating water on either our small backpacking stove or our folding coleman stove.

Right now Im considering building a container and mount to store them in either the front fenders, or inside the rear bumper area ...:Wow1:

Thoughts?? Have you worked out a similar problem in a different way?

 

[ETAV8R]

No thoughts on how to store them but that is a cool old subie.

 

[HMR]

Go to Lowe's/Home Depot and get one of these plastic pipes from the plumbing section:

I can't remember the diameter but it's a standard/commonly used size (you'll know it when you see it). The green Coleman canisters are the EXACT same diameter as the inside of the pipe. Cut it to whatever length you need.

At the store, in the same aisle as the pipes will be the caps and connectors.
I put a solid cap on one end and a removable/threaded cap on the other:

The pics above were taken when I was building my shell 4 years ago.
This pic was taken a few weeks ago:

I've cycled more cylinders through that pipe than I can remember and have never had any issues with propane odor.

PS- Nice Suby! I'm currently on my third wagon.

 

[IdaSHO]

Awesome.

Thaks for the solution.
Simple, cheap, lightweight, and effective.

Im sold. :victory:

I might even have a bit of the correct diameter ABS hanging around in the shop.

 

[Paladin]

If your cylinders smell, they must be leaking. I've never had a problem transporting them inside a car.

 

[life_w_vagabonds]

Not to start a long physics discussion here but... I think those bottles are better stored upright. So the vapor and not liquid is in the area of the blow off valve. Liquid propane expands about 470 times as it boils. I'm assuming they put liquid and not just vapor in a 1lb er. Not to mention the the static that can be produced by that ABS pipe.

I don't like them in our Forester either. I put them on top in a milk crate along with other small items. I made a little wood top for it that I can run a strap through it. It sits nicely next to our suitcase bbq grill. Which is up there mainly because it rattles.

BTW where did you find such a gem. That thing looks brand new!

 

[spressomon]

If they are meant to flow upright/vertically then that is how they should be stored/carried. If a canister vents you want the gas not the liquid propane venting. Keep in mind neither is ideal but gas is better relatively...

Personally I wouldn't put them in anything too rigid/too sealed. If they vent you'll have a little bomb on your hands. Propane has a boiling point of -43 degrees F so its gas pressure can be significant at say 100 degrees F or higher. Put them in an Action Packer or similar and strap it securely to the roof rack.

Having said all that I've carried 4-5 1# throw-away propane canisters, strapped down securely, in my rig without issue...but typically this has been when the outside temps are relatively cool. I wouldn't leave them in closed up vehicle sitting in the sun with the windows shut tight on a 90*+ day.

 

[grizzlyj]

Putting a cylinder in a camper for instance requires an externally vented cupboard with no connection to the living area other than the feed to the stove etc, so that any leaking gas, being heavier than air, can drop out of the cupboard and disperse outside.

I would agree that if you can smell it its leaking, so other than washing it to see if that removes the smell, I would not be using that cylinder, let alone trying to seal up that leaking gas in something not designed for flammable gas, inside a car. Bad juju!

 

[IdaSHO]

Thanks for the concerns guys.

I have actually decided against the ABS, mainly due to cost. It was going to be $40+ just to store a couple of cylinders.

I have opted for the ammo can storage, inside the car, out of contact with sun.

As fa as odor goes, both the wife and I are very sensitive to the odor additive they put in propane. So it doesnt take much. Our cans do not leak, but they are cans that I have refilled dozens of times. Just the little bit of spillage when filling is enough to cause a slight lingering smell, if they are freshly refilled. If they were refilled more than a few months prior, they do not smell.

 

[Need For Speed]

love the car. wha's the story on the Sube? yr/miles

 

[Paladin]

As fa as odor goes, both the wife and I are very sensitive to the odor additive they put in propane. So it doesnt take much. Our cans do not leak, but they are cans that I have refilled dozens of times. Just the little bit of spillage when filling is enough to cause a slight lingering smell, if they are freshly refilled. If they were refilled more than a few months prior, they do not smell.

Ah, well then that might explain it. I've never refilled those things.

 

[IdaSHO]

Legally you are not supposed to refill them. But I always have. It saves a ton of money, as well as a trip into town.

love the car. wha's the story on the Sube? yr/miles

Its a 1984 GL wagon. Currently has 132k miles. And it is just as clean in real life as it looks in the photos:victory:

 

[Need For Speed]

fantastic.

 

[dags]

how are you re-filling the tanks? Are you using the adapter they sell at harbour freight and tool?

 

[DrMoab]

As fa as odor goes, both the wife and I are very sensitive to the odor additive they put in propane. So it doesnt take much. Our cans do not leak, but they are cans that I have refilled dozens of times. Just the little bit of spillage when filling is enough to cause a slight lingering smell, if they are freshly refilled. If they were refilled more than a few months prior, they do not smell.

Come work with me for a month. After hauling 12,000 gallons a day for the last six years, I have lost my ability to smell propane.

On a side note...do you know it only takes 1.5 Lb of mercaptian per 10,000 gallons of propane to make it smell? You should smell that stuff raw.