Gas bottle storage

[Ca11um43]

Where does everybody store their gas bottles? I have a rear conversion with a fridge in the middle and a cupboard on either side...One side has small tanks for the fresh and waste water, then the other side has the electrics and the previous owner had a gas bottle plumbed in there as well but I'm not sure how I feel about gas being in with electrics. It's the only storage space I have for a gas bottle though, so instead of having it permanently plumbed in would it be safe to just store the bottle in there (not hooked up to anything)? Maybe in a gas locker if I can find one that will fit in the cupboard (it will only be a campingaz 907 or similar). Then when I need to use it, I can remove it and hook it up outside the van.

Or what other alternatives are there? I've seen people with other vans having LPG tanks fitted underneath, etc. But I've not seen a suitable spot for it under the Bongo and from what I've heard it's quite expensive to have installed. My van is a diesel so would only be used for the cooker in the back.

[g8dhe]

Where ever you end up putting the gas locker inside you need to install a drop-out vent, the gas being heavier sinks to the bottom and drops out of the vent to outside. See https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100 ... p+out+vent

[Ca11um43]

Where ever you end up putting the gas locker inside you need to install a drop-out vent, the gas being heavier sinks to the bottom and drops out of the vent to outside. See https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100 ... p+out+vent

I had to do that on a previous camper which had a gas locker, but ideally I didn't want to drill a hole in the floor of the Bongo if I can avoid it...Hence why I was wondering if I could safely transport the bottle with the regulator off and not hooked up to anything, without a gas locker/drop vent. Then I can hook it up outside when I want to use it. Or does it need to be in a gas locker with a drop vent no matter what?

[g8dhe]

I would think there is more chance of the internal valve in the bottle leaking due to a bit of grit getting in with lots of connecting/unconnecting going on. On mine the bottle is screwed on once and the external valve shut-off is used to control flow so no parts of the gas flow piping are ever exposed once connected so less chance of dust/grit getting in.

[Ca11um43]

I would think there is more chance of the internal valve in the bottle leaking due to a bit of grit getting in with lots of connecting/unconnecting going on. On mine the bottle is screwed on once and the external valve shut-off is used to control flow so no parts of the gas flow piping are ever exposed once connected so less chance of dust/grit getting in.

I can leave the regulator, etc connected...The van came with a lot of extra gas pipe, quick disconnects, etc so I'm sure I could make something work. But I will look in to gas lockers to see if I can find one small enough to fit in my cupboard first, as that seems to be the best/safest option. I think the drop vent may be a problem though, even if I do find a locker that fits, because my spare wheel is almost directly under where the vent would be.

[g8dhe]

Mine is the simple surface mount style, hole drilled thru flooring and chassis below and then two screws. Mine however is a side conversion with the gas bottle accessed via rear door into the offside side cupboard with its own door.

[Ca11um43]

Mine is the simple surface mount style, hole drilled thru flooring and chassis below and then two screws. Mine however is a side conversion with the gas bottle accessed via rear door into the offside side cupboard with its own door.
DSC_6018.JPG

This is the only picture I could find from when I was doing some rust repairs. The only space for my gas bottle is in the offside cupboard. But inside that cupboard all of the electronics (electric hook up, solar charger, etc) are mounted on the right hand side. So the gas bottle would have to go on the left hand side, closer to the centre of the van.

In the near side cupboard there is 2 small tanks for fresh and waste water, then in the centre there is space for a fridge (can only access it from inside the van). So there isn't anywhere else for me to store the gas bottle.

[KiliamGer]

Hi. How did you solve the ventilation and safety issue in that niche? I'm thinking about such an arrangement myself and looking for a reliable solution.

[Ca11um43]

Hi. How did you solve the ventilation and safety issue in that niche? I'm thinking about such an arrangement myself and looking for a reliable solution.

I am actively still looking in to this myself. I forgot to take measurements for a gas locker last time I was with my Bongo (currently being stored elsewhere while I do MOT repairs), but it seems that the best/safest option is to fit a gas locker and drill a hole through the floor for a drop-out vent.