Cyl. Camper LPG Vapor Tank 120L (Ø360x1298) GZWM 4 Hole - Incl. Valves - Camper Cooking

Tank Valves and Accessories

Our LPG tanks are equipped with 4 tank valves / accessories, namely;

1. an 80% fill valve with non-return valve. On the 80% fill valve, there is a knee piece with a 1/2" UNF conical flare connection onto which a fill hose can be connected. The fill hose is connected at the other end to a fill connection on the vehicle.
2. an overpressure valve (relief valve). This ensures that the pressure in the tank never exceeds 27 bar.
3. an extraction valve (manually or electrically operable) with integrated flow limiter and available with different types of connections:
   1. 5/16" UNF conical flare connection (on electric extraction valve)
   2. 8mm compression fitting for copper pipe (on manual tank valve)
   3. Shell connection type Male G.2/G.4/G.8 (W21.8 x 1/14 left-hand thread) (on manual tank valve)
4. a tank float (content gauge) with a tank level display (clock) (standard without wiring) mounted on it. To view the tank content on the dashboard (or elsewhere in the vehicle), an optional LED indicator with tank sensor is available. This tank sensor with wiring replaces the tank level display (clock) on the content gauge (can be replaced without opening the tank) and is electrically connected to the LED indicator to display the content.

An optional aluminum gas-tight housing (can be ordered at an additional cost) can be mounted on the LPG tank and encloses these appendages and can capture any relief gases.

Introduction

LPG Gas Storage in an LPG Gas Bottle or LPG Tank. How does that work?

The most important part of the vapor gas system is the LPG tank or LPG gas bottle (or multiple) for storing the LPG. The choice between an LPG gas bottle or LPG tank depends on the required storage capacity and the available space in or under the RV camper (also called Motorhome), caravan, or foodtruck.

An LPG tank and LPG gas bottle is indeed filled and stored with liquid LPG, but a small amount also evaporates and collects in the upper space of the LPG tank or LPG gas bottle. The gas is extracted from the upper space, causing the gas to leave the LPG tank in gaseous form and the pressure in the LPG tank to drop. Due to the pressure drop, liquid LPG evaporates again, causing the pressure to rise again. The evaporation of LPG requires heat (energy). When LPG evaporates, the gas tank cools down slightly. The more heat available, the easier the LPG evaporates and the pressure increases. With high gas consumption, a lot of LPG will also evaporate, causing the LPG tank to cool down significantly. The evaporation process will therefore become increasingly difficult.

Evaporation Process and Temperature Dependence

The evaporation process requires heat extraction from the environment. Propane evaporates better at low temperatures than butane. As a result:

1. The pressure in the tank is highly temperature-dependent
2. At high consumption and cold conditions, the pressure can drop
3. Consider an additional gas bottle for more evaporation capacity in case of high demand

An optional aluminum gas-tight housing can be mounted on the LPG tank and encloses these valves and can capture any relief gases.

Optional Use of a Gas-Tight Housing

(Can optionally be ordered at an additional cost.) A gas-tight housing (tank valve housing) is used to protect the tank valves / accessories and, in case of internal installation, to capture any gases released from the overpressure valve on the LPG tank and then be able to vent them via a vent hose and floor vent (floor pass-through) to the outside. A gas-tight housing is certainly required if the LPG tank is placed inside the interior of a vehicle and must be sealed gas-tight using the supplied rubbers. A gas-tight housing is not strictly necessary if the LPG tank is placed in an external space (e.g., with underfloor mounting) or in a ventilated space (which is sealed off from the rest of the vehicle). It is always necessary to protect the tank valves / accessories from dirt and water.

Placement of Gas Tank in Interior / Exterior Space:

In the case that a gas tank is placed inside the interior of the vehicle (internal installation), it is necessary to equip the gas tank with a gas-tight housing, a vent hose, and a floor vent (floor pass-through) for venting any gases to the outside.

A gas-tight housing in combination with a manual valve is not always possible to seal properly...

When using a Manual valve SHELL connection Male G.5 Kombi (G.2/G.4/G.8) (W21.8x1/14 Left-Hand Thread), it is NOT possible to properly seal the gas-tight housing, meaning this combination is only really suitable for underfloor mounting or, in the case of internal installation (interior), only in a ventilated space that is sealed off from the rest of the vehicle.

When using a manual valve with an 8mm compression connection that is directed straight outwards, the gas-tight housing also CANNOT be properly sealed, because there is not enough space to place a gas-tight plastic sealing boot.

In the case of a manual valve with an 8mm compression connection, the gas-tight housing can be sealed gas-tight if the manual valve is installed with its outlet pointing inwards. (The gas line can then be looped inside the housing or exit the housing on the same side as the fill hose).

MANUAL EXTRACTION VALVE 8mm: A vapor gas tank is fitted with a manual valve as a standard. This means that the outlet of the gas tank must be opened and closed manually. This can sometimes be difficult if the tank is placed far below the vehicle and is difficult to access. A manual Valve is standard equipped with an 8mm compression coupling, so that an 8mm LPG pipe (copper / plastic) can be connected to the pressure regulator.

MANUAL EXTRACTION VALVE with SHELL, Its possible to use a SHELL Male G.5 Kombi (G.2/G.4/G.8) with a W21.8x1/14 left-hand thread on the hand tap. This option is used to connect a pressure regulator directly to the vapor tank. (An additional adapter to a G.12 connection may be required for a good gas-tight connection.)
NB! With a hand tap with a Shell connection, the tank cabinet cannot be connected in a gas-tight manner and this method is therefore only suitable for an outdoor area and not suitable for built-in (indoor space).

ELECTRICAL EXTRACTION VALVE you can also opt for an electric extraction Valve that is powered with 12V (11W) (Normally Closed) via an electrical circuit with an LPG switch and fuse (not included). This makes it possible to open and close the tank valve from the vehicle interior. It must be taken into account that if you stand still for a long time with the elec. extraction valve energized (1A), this could drain the battery.

An 8mm LPG (copper) pipe also fits on this type of extraction valve, by means of a Flare connection. Type: 5/16" UNF

Mounting of LPG Tanks according to EN 12979 (or RDW LPG Installation Guidelines)

Ensure a proper mounting of the LPG tank.

An LPG tank in a (recreational) vehicle such as an RV Camper and Foodtruck must of course be firmly mounted, so that it cannot come loose and move during driving or in the event of a collision. Therefore, make sure it is attached to the vehicle with a sturdy construction. For LPG tanks, the installation requirements as in EN 12979 (or applicable national guidelines such as the RDW LPG installation guidelines in NL) apply. The precise method of mounting depends on the size of the LPG tank and the positioning (underfloor mounting or internal installation, etc.).

We mention a few basic requirements here:

1. Have the installation performed by a certified LPG specialist.
2. Maintain a minimum ground clearance of 20 cm for underfloor mounting.
3. Maintain a minimum distance of 10 cm from heat sources (such as an exhaust)
4. LPG tanks must be firmly fixed in the vehicle so that they remain in their position during driving or in an accident.
5. Position an LPG tank in the correct position as indicated by the manufacturer, so that it is only possible to extract LPG in gaseous form. Most LPG tanks have a marking on the tank indicating what the central horizontal plane of the tank is and what the top side is.
6. Lines must not be the lowest part of the vehicle
7. Have the complete installation inspected by a competent authority
8. See further the safety requirements and regulations in EN 12979 (or the applicable national guidelines such as the RDW LPG installation guidelines in NL)

Available Mounting Systems

1. Tank Frame with tension Straps - Only suitable for cylinder tanks with a diameter of 27cm to 40cm
2. Mounting Rings - For welding to angle iron constructions
3. Mounting Brackets - With foot attachment to the vehicle

For mounting LPG tanks, we essentially have 3 mounting systems available in our webshop. 1; using a tank frame and ratchet straps that secure the tank to the frame, 2; using mounting rings that clamp around the tank and can be welded to iron angle iron, to attach the assembly to the vehicle, and 3; using mounting brackets that also clamp around a tank and can be attached to the vehicle via a foot on the bracket. These mounting systems are available in different sizes, so they are available for most tank sizes.

Read more about this in our tutorial Installation instructions for LPG cylinder tanks (vapor tanks) in (recreational) vehicles

Positioning and Orientation

Pay attention to the mark on the tank indicating the horizontal mid-plane and the top. The tank valve / accessories should be slightly pointed downwards.

Why is a Pressure Regulator Needed?

The pressure in a gas tank varies, depending on temperature, between 1 and 20 bar. This pressure is MUCH too high for the gas appliance(s), such as a cooker or heater in your RV camper. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the pressure to a constant, safe and low pressure. The prescribed working pressure for gas appliances is 30 mbar (older LPG systems or in other applications such as foodtrucks or static caravans sometimes use a working pressure of 50 mbar and sometimes 39 mbar).

This pressure reduction and regulation is done by a pressure regulator, which you connect to the outlet of the gas tank, directly or via a high-pressure connecting line.

Read more about pressure regulators and pressure reduction in this article: Pressure Regulators for Gas Bottles and Vapor Tanks