Mounting propane tank

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The previous owner of our Casita had mounted the propane tank on its side to make room for a generator. The propane system works fine, but I'm replacing the tank and I wonder if the new Overfill Protection Device-equipped tanks will work okay mounted horizontally.:conf Or should I install a vertical mount? Does anyone have experience using an OPD tank on its side?:helpme
Dale :drums

[Legacy Posts]

the reason i say that is there may be a differance in the construction of vertical and horizontal tanks . ie dont mount a vertical tank in a horizontal position . if it is a real horizontal tank and its capacaity is 40 gallons or more it does not need the new vavle . At least thats what dixie rv dealer was telling someone when i was looking around there.
i think putting a regular vertical tank in the horizontal may cause liquid propane to go thur regulator which might not be the best thing . be safe and ask a gas dealer.:cheers

[Legacy Posts]

I had a Jayco originally equipped with horiz tanks, which were subsequently replaced with vertical tanks mounted horizontally.

On horiz tanks, I believe the inner tube that picks up the vapor is bent so that it is not in the liquid.

What I would do would be to have the propane filler only fill the tank about 1/2 to 2/3 by weight so the tube wasn't in liquid when on its side. Occasionally they would over-fill, so I would have to dismount that tank and use it vertically until the level dropped enuf.

If you can't find any OPD Horizontal valves, you may have to resort to that.

Marine stores, like West, carry horizontal tanks in aluminum, but they are a bit pricey (like $150) and I dunno if they are OPD...

Pete in the RatHaus

[Legacy Posts]

I do not believe OPD will work if the tank is on its side. The OPD is just a reverse of a float valve in a toilet so you can see how it wont work. I agree with Al, I dont think it would be a good idea but if you are dead set on a horizonal tank, get one for a forklift. I believe they have both liquid out and vapor out.

HTH
Rich

[Legacy Posts]

Horizontal tanks ('tanks' are permanently mounted) are to be mounted 'horizontally'!!!

Most 'bottles' or 'cylinders' (which are portable) are designed to be used vertically!!!

The pick-ups in either type are designed to be in the upper area of the container. As propane is stored under pressure it changes to liquid which settles to the bottom of the container. Ya don't want the pick-up to be in the liquid.

The OPD is primarilly to gauge the filling of the container. Between fillings it has no function.

Dale:

You've inherited someones 'shade tree' modification. If I were you I'd change it! :)

[Legacy Posts]

I totally agree.

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Thanks for the help, guys. It's functioned okay with the tank in horizontal position, but it's always seemed wrong.:nono I'm going to stand it up.:thumb
Dale:drums

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Good show:wave