Posted 2007-03-20 4:43 PM (#57396) Subject: gas on or off going down the road?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I was always told to turn off the gas at the tank before heading down the road. I was recently told by someone with many road miles with a trailer that she leaves the gas on to run the refridgerator when going down the road. Any thoughts?
Posted 2007-03-20 6:05 PM (#57399 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by headhunter on 2007-03-20 4:43 PM
I was always told to turn off the gas at the tank before heading down the road. I was recently told by someone with many road miles with a trailer that she leaves the gas on to run the refridgerator when going down the road. Any thoughts?
Her mileage with a trailer is not a qualification/certification for doing the wrong thing or advising others to.
Oh, how INCONVENIENT that stuff in her fridge gets a bit warm.
Oh, such a SHAME if she takes out a neighborhood or three if/when the tank hose snags on the hitch or something else in a sharp turn.
BTW, it is illegal in many/most places to NOT be turned off at the tank when on the road, even some rest areas on interstates in some states, though I don't remember which ones. Woodales probably has references.
Posted 2007-03-20 6:26 PM (#57402 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
Since I had been advised not to have the gas on going down the road, I just freeze a tupperware container full of water and keep a contained ice block in the fridge when going down the road to keep things cool. Works just fine for me.
Posted 2007-03-20 7:39 PM (#57407 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Veteran
Posts: 116 Location: desert hills, az
Ok, I am not going to agree or disagree on whether or not the tanks should be on or off, or the law. But as a 26 year veteran of the fire service and as a HazMat instructor, I must correct a few of Reg's comments (No offense Reg, you are usually right on). 1. If a hose snags or breaks, the propane will shutoff. The new cylinders are designed that way. If you don't believe me, just open the valve without it hooked up to anything and no propane will flow. 2. A 20 or 30 pound propane tank will not take out a "neighborhood". If it exploded, it would injure/damage nearby vehicles and bystanders. A propane tank MAY explode from direct flame inpingement but ONLY if the relief valve is unable to release pressure fast enough. That is why you see propane tankers allowed to "burn off". 3. With that said...safety is number one, if you smell gas leaking or see a vapor cloud, leave the area and call 911. 4. Yes, I leave my propane on while traveling down the road. Just my 2 cents.
Posted 2007-03-20 7:53 PM (#57411 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Murphy, TX
We have a new trailer and I have been turning the fridge off everytime we take it somewhere. Problem is when I try to turn it back on, it doesn't always work. It takes forver to get it back on. I usually end up taking the panel off and tapping around on stuff. So far, it eventually comes back on. Any suggestions??
Posted 2007-03-20 8:02 PM (#57412 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
Horsemom,
It takes it a little while to feed back through the lines when you shut it off at the tank. Normally, I just turn the fridge off and it does not use the gas that way. I leave the valve on the tank on so the lines stay full. Of course I have forgotten and left it running on the way home and had no problems with it. The thing I have to remember is to shut off my furnace as well. For some reason, it will also run going down the road too.
Posted 2007-03-20 8:25 PM (#57416 - in reply to #57407) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by captclank on 2007-03-20 6:39 PM
1. If a hose snags or breaks, the propane will shutoff. The new cylinders are designed that way. If you don't believe me, just open the valve without it hooked up to anything and no propane will flow. 2. A 20 or 30 pound propane tank will not take out a "neighborhood".
Opening a tank valve without a hose fitting is irrelevant to this discussion. In the event that a hose is snagged and broken away, the quick-connect valve at the tank is still open. This will allow a release of gas. If the break is after the regulator, the release is relatively slow. Otherwise, 30 pounds of propane will make a pretty large vapor cloud or vapor trail.... and a pretty visual if it ignites. (especially at night!)
Posted 2007-03-20 8:33 PM (#57417 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Veteran
Posts: 116 Location: desert hills, az
I repectfully disagree...It is relevant as it proves no gas will escape. This is the way they are designed. This does not apply to old style cylinders (of which are illegal). And it sure is a sight at night...that I agree.
Posted 2007-03-20 8:39 PM (#57418 - in reply to #57417) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by captclank on 2007-03-20 7:33 PM
I repectfully disagree...It is relevant as it proves no gas will escape. This is the way they are designed. This does not apply to old style cylinders (of which are illegal). And it sure is a sight at night...that I agree.
Captclank ... are you saying the new style 20# propane tanks have an excess flow valve built - in? I didn't know ...
Posted 2007-03-20 9:10 PM (#57419 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Location: Texas
This doesn't make any sense to me- how can an OPD valve differentiate between gas flow to an appliance and gas leaking out of a broken hose? I don't think it can. If the hose connection is attached to the tank and the valve is open, gas will flow out. I am guilty of leaving mine on while traveling at times, among other things.
Posted 2007-03-20 10:03 PM (#57425 - in reply to #57419) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Tx. Vaquero on 2007-03-20 8:10 PM
This doesn't make any sense to me- how can an OPD valve differentiate between gas flow to an appliance and gas leaking out of a broken hose? I don't think it can. If the hose connection is attached to the tank and the valve is open, gas will flow out. I am guilty of leaving mine on while traveling at times, among other things.
The OPD or QCC (Quick Closing Coupling) Can't differentiate between gas flows. Only an Excess Flow valve can do that. Any flow above a designed amount will close the Excess flow valve. I have not been able to find any reference to the Excess Flow valve in ordinary 20# or 30# propane cylinders.
Posted 2007-03-21 8:04 AM (#57440 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Veteran
Posts: 116 Location: desert hills, az
I have re-read my research and I misinterpreted the information. I AM WRONG and I am sorry...It was an honest mistake. I respectfully apologize to Reg, Hosspuller, and the veiwers of this thread and I thank them for setting the record straight. This site provides great information and doesn't need inaccuate information. It won't happen again.
Posted 2007-03-21 8:53 AM (#57447 - in reply to #57440) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Veteran
Posts: 167 Location: Monroe, WA
Wow............... a man, who admits it when he's wrong and apologizes in the SAME PARAGRAPH.I am stunned, astounded, and gobsmacked!right on Captclank, you are The Man!..................say, didja ever think of running for office???? BIG grin!
Originally written by captclank on 2007-03-21 8:04 AM
I have re-read my research and I misinterpreted the information. I AM WRONG and I am sorry...It was an honest mistake. I respectfully apologize to Reg, Hosspuller, and the veiwers of this thread and I thank them for setting the record straight. This site provides great information and doesn't need inaccuate information. It won't happen again.
Posted 2007-03-21 2:46 PM (#57464 - in reply to #57440) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by captclank on 2007-03-21 9:04 AM
I have re-read my research and I misinterpreted the information. I AM WRONG and I am sorry...It was an honest mistake. I respectfully apologize to Reg, Hosspuller, and the veiwers of this thread and I thank them for setting the record straight. This site provides great information and doesn't need inaccuate information. It won't happen again.
I was wrong ONCE...
That was when I thought I was wrong...
Don't let it happen again...we fire types have to stick together...
Posted 2007-03-21 3:48 PM (#57472 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: IL.
As far as leaving the gas on , i have done it a few times but always try to remember to shut it off for my own piece of mind, but i have been told if you are in a moving vehicle in a national forrest you better not get caught with your furnace or fridge on .
Posted 2007-03-22 8:12 AM (#57494 - in reply to #57396) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Expert
Posts: 2689
No apology to me needed Capt.
I was writing figuratively about "taking out a neighborhood or three".
The exact size of any possible fire isn't as significant of an issue as an increased risk that there will be one. In the wrong place at the wrong time scout fires might destroy large tracts of forest, etc.
The chances are high enough, the consequence of a blow could be high enough, the fine is high enough if caught, the time and trouble to do the right thing is low enough - on balance, just turn it off.
Posted 2007-03-23 2:47 PM (#57592 - in reply to #57440) Subject: RE: gas on or off going down the road?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by captclank on 2007-03-21 7:04 AM
I have re-read my research and I misinterpreted the information. I AM WRONG and I am sorry...It was an honest mistake. I respectfully apologize to Reg, Hosspuller, and the veiwers of this thread and I thank them for setting the record straight. This site provides great information and doesn't need inaccuate information. It won't happen again.
Captclank ... I need no apology from you. But, thank you for the offer. Our discussion was respectful and enlightening. You helped provoked a learning experience for many (including myself) There will always be mistakes and poor information posted. That's an unadvertised Internet feature! I respect you, for desiring accurate information and doing something constructive toward posting it.
The stated purpose of this board is to learn and have fun. Let's continue !
gas on or off going down the road?
