RV Safety

[Bruce B.]

I just received an email from RV Consumer Group (kinda like an RV safety watchdog organization) concerning an apparent lawsuit against Coachmen RV and a leasing company regarding a propane accident.

Quote from RV Consumer Group: "According to reports, four adults were seriously burned when propane exploded. Details imply that the exhaust of the generator was close enough to cause the propane tank to overheat. The tank's pressure valve then released the gas (as designed) and the running generator then ignited the gas. This tells us that propane tanks and generators are not "buddies". They should never operate "shoulder-to-shoulder". How close they should be depends on too many variables to be absolutely sure, but 36 inches should be the lower limit on distance apart."

I don't have a generator and have no experience with these issues, but thought I'd pass it along to those of you who have generators (mounted or otherwise).

[Chester Taje]

[Patrick M.]

This thread is the first item listed if you do a Google search using "rv four adults burned when propane exploded generator exhaust". How about that!

Anyway, haven't been able to find via Google this accident to get more details. My question is: what was the ignition source?

Here's how generators are typically mounted on the Casitas, and while the immediate area around the exhaust gets hot on the Honda, I doubt if it would raise the temperature of the tanks. But, certainly something to keep in mind.

[Daniel V.]

Found this on google...

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navc...L+Festival+fire

They contend that their injuries were caused by an overfilled, improperly manufactured propane tank and an improperly designed recreational vehicle generator.

[Gina D.]

Bob Starr has an interesting story about heat and propane tanks.

His story somehow makes me think that the puney exhaust of a gen set was not the culprit, but maybe his tanks were the old style.. (They lived thru a forest fire)..

BTW Bob, the Guild is almost done!

[Patrick M.]

Wonder how they know the tank was overfilled?

Bottom line: another reason to own a simple fiberglass trailer!

[GeorgeR]

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Recently I had my 20 lb LP tank filled at a gas station and attendant did not open the vent valve to gauge the level. When I asked him to open it he argued that it was not necessary. When he finely opened the vent the tank was already overfilled to, I think, 5.4 gal. </span>

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"> </span>

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">I assume there is confusion about the newer tanks not using venting as a maximum level gauge and older designs. I found this excellent site </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">http://home.earthlink.net/~derekgore/rvroadiervfulltimingwhatisitreallylike/id44.html</span>

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">to refresh my knowledge about LP. </span>

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">George. </span>