Doing without propane

[Brownleaf]

I eat alot raw and enjoy use of the microwave. For heat would there not be possible alternatives for a small 24 ft. motorhome? I have never tried anything but propane and would want something very safe. I guess there would be no other options for "dry camping" Long range I will get a new propane tank just exploring alternatives. Doug

[Brownleaf]

I will take rv to Ford for their evaluation on the blasting. The propane establishment is busy enough for senior personnel to have reasonable opinions on tank conditions. Doug

[way2roll]

Maybe I am missing something but this seems like it's being made overly complicated. If the existing tank is bad, and if it really takes forever to get a replacement built in, a simple device like an "extend a stay" hooked to an LP tank you can get at any grocery store will work. I am not sure what RV you have but I see LP tanks of varying sizes everywhere. Are you saying you can't find a single one to replace the existing tank? Even if the mounting hardware had to be fabricated by a welding shop, it doesn't seem that hard or expensive,

[JRscooby]

Brownleaf wrote:
Lwiddis, to repeat, there is a 14 month backorder on manchester tanks. I will be ready to get one when they are available and I have the money, I am going to ybe spending as much as $1000 for a rust removal service using some sort of blasting for the whole underside of my Winnie. Ilike the idea until then of in park hooked up use of a space heater that does not require venting. Doug

JaxDad wrote:

Brownleaf wrote:
Long range I will get a new propane tank just exploring alternatives. Doug

This might seem like a silly question but have you had a propane shop look at the tank before it was condemned?

ASME tanks are built out of far heavier steel than most people realize. I’ve seen some really nasty-looking rusty tanks pass muster. Surface rust and some scaling is not necessarily fatal.

I would think that long before rust made a propane tank un-safe many parts of frame and suspension would be gone to the point the MH could not be driven.
Back when Dad was full time, he had a valve system (Extend-a-Stay?) so he could put a larger tank outside, have a truck come by and fill it. He kept the onboard tanks hooked up, but turned off. (Get up, turn on tank, light furnace not good. Wake up, discover totally out even worse)

In the past I have restored a few vehicles. Once hauled a frame, with axles under it to be blasted. If I had not removed and took apart everything to clean or replace nothing would last. Blast bottom of vehicle, and expect to drive it? Not me.

[Bobbo]

JaxDad wrote:

Brownleaf wrote:
jaxdad, it was the propane filler who upon my request to evaluate it, said it looked beyond just sanding and painting. thanks; I will ask about portable connectivity issues next time I am by. Doug

Doug, I hope by “propane filler” you mean a qualified certified technician.

I’ve seen some really nasty looking tanks that were no problem from a safety standpoint. A little work with a wire wheel, never sand them, and a fresh coat of epoxy rust paint and continue on.

I agree. The term "propane filler" could mean the guy down at U-Haul who fills the propane tank. He would have less idea of what is safe then the OP does. The OP REALLY needs to find an actual propane dealer. Not just a propane filling station.

[JaxDad]

Brownleaf wrote:
jaxdad, it was the propane filler who upon my request to evaluate it, said it looked beyond just sanding and painting. thanks; I will ask about portable connectivity issues next time I am by. Doug

Doug, I hope by “propane filler” you mean a qualified certified technician.

I’ve seen some really nasty looking tanks that were no problem from a safety standpoint. A little work with a wire wheel, never sand them, and a fresh coat of epoxy rust paint and continue on.

[Brownleaf]

jaxdad, it was the propane filler who upon my request to evaluate it, said it looked beyond just sanding and painting. thanks; I will ask about portable connectivity issues next time I am by. Doug

[valhalla360]

Brownleaf wrote:
Lwiddis, to repeat, there is a 14 month backorder on manchester tanks. I will be ready to get one when they are available and I have the money, I am going to ybe spending as much as $1000 for a rust removal service using some sort of blasting for the whole underside of my Winnie. Ilike the idea until then of in park hooked up use of a space heater that does not require venting. Doug

You might swing by a propane place (actual propane dealer not random big box store) and see if they can "T" in an additional feed line, so you can hook into a 20# portable tank (BBQ tank).

Shouldn't be too expensive and might get you around the backorder issue.

[JaxDad]

Brownleaf wrote:
Long range I will get a new propane tank just exploring alternatives. Doug

This might seem like a silly question but have you had a propane shop look at the tank before it was condemned?

ASME tanks are built out of far heavier steel than most people realize. I’ve seen some really nasty-looking rusty tanks pass muster. Surface rust and some scaling is not necessarily fatal.

[pianotuna]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
For heat, a mini-split heat pump is a good alternative. It does require a large inverter, battery bank and lots of solar. I would also have a portable generator.

Do the minisplits heat pumps work below freezing?

[Sjm9911]

Fix whats broke, mr buddy heater, diesel heater, or camp with voltage hook ups and get a ellectric heater. I have seen some add a wood stove, but not many. Almost like the old trains that used to burn down because of the stove in the corner. Non are easy or cheap except the mr buddy, or camping with an electrical hook up.

[Brownleaf]

Lwiddis, to repeat, there is a 14 month backorder on manchester tanks. I will be ready to get one when they are available and I have the money, I am going to ybe spending as much as $1000 for a rust removal service using some sort of blasting for the whole underside of my Winnie. Ilike the idea until then of in park hooked up use of a space heater that does not require venting. Doug

[Lwiddis]

Brownleaf, why? Conservative use of propane makes life more enjoyable. Available, low cost, efficient.

[pianotuna]

Heating = propane, or diesel.

I will not use a non vented combustion heater.

There are vented through the wall units that use no power.

I can heat 100% electrically at extreme low ambient temperatures (below -30)--but it does require at least 3 15 amp circuits, or a 50 amp pedestal. Power usage per day is about 103 kwh per day.

[theoldwizard1]

For heat, a mini-split heat pump is a good alternative. It does require a large inverter, battery bank and lots of solar. I would also have a portable generator.

[joelc]

We use an induction cook top. There are many on the market, but our is a NUWAVE. The only thing is, because it is induction and works off a magnet anyone that has an electronic device in them can not use it, as the magnet will interfere with the medical device. This includes insulin pumps, heart pacemakers and the like. Cooking on it is great and temperature is exact. Special induction cook-ware is needed.