storing LPG gas bottle and AGM batteries in toolbox?

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

Hi all, I've researched this and cant seem to see any problems but thought I'd ask the experts!

I'm building a camper trailer at the moment, its got a big toolbox on the drawbar and I plan on putting 3 x sealed lead acid deep cycle batteries in there as well as my 9kg LPG gas cyclinder. The box is going to have a big 260mmx160mm air vent on either side of the box to allow air inside and ventilation. My question is does anyone see any problems with this?

Just didnt want some kind of chemical reaction/explosion.

Thanks!

[sweetpea Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sweetpea]

Hi all, I've researched this and cant seem to see any problems but thought I'd ask the experts!

I'm building a camper trailer at the moment, its got a big toolbox on the drawbar and I plan on putting 3 x sealed lead acid deep cycle batteries in there as well as my 9kg LPG gas cyclinder. The box is going to have a big 260mmx160mm air vent on either side of the box to allow air inside and ventilation. My question is does anyone see any problems with this?

Just didnt want some kind of chemical reaction/explosion.

Thanks!

Just remember that LPG is heavier than air and if your vents are at the top a leak in the LPG will fill the box with gas which at some point will be an explosive mixture with air.

Boats often explode because leaking gas accumulates in the bilge and eventually there is an ignition source.


If the only alternative is to mount the LPG and batteries in the same compartment I would install a divider and vent the gas storage at both the top and bottom.

As the box with three batteries and a large gas bottle (and your heavy tools and water and extra fuel etc.) will be in front of the axle their weight will add to the load on the coupling. Contemplate finding space further back or you may find there is too much weight on the towbar and you may find it impossible to move around on the jockey wheel on anything except flat concrete.

S.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

I would not store batteries and a gas cylinder in the same box, same as petrol and batteries in the same box.

You may not have any problems, but if LPG or petrol vapours form and ignite in a confined space, the result is a devastating explosion.

I think there was an explosion in a house in Qld recently, where the house was blown to pieces through vapours igniting.

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

yep alright cheers guys, its settled gas bottle will live in the trailer or just transport on the prado roof rack and setup when I get to camp.

In relation to the weight of the drawbar there isnt much I can do about that, I'll just have to park it in the right spot and if I need to move it hook it up again. Ball weight is not too heavy but yes it will be too hard to move around.

Thanks guys

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I think there was an explosion in a house in Qld recently, where the house was blown to pieces through vapours igniting.

I think that was a clandestine drug lab where they use LPG, phosphorous and ammonia to cook up their home-bake. Bound to go bang sooner or later.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Just remember that as soon as you put a vent on then all the bull dust is going to get in there too. My camper trailer, like many others, has a spot for the gas just behind the mud guards. I also have a storage box on the roof rack of the c/t where I carry another gas cylinder for the weberQ. 3 x batteries? You must be planning on running some serious electrical gear. I have 2 x batteries and 3 x 50w BP solar panels which is more than enough to run 2 x engels, water pump, lights, etc.

[rags Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rags]

[QUOTE=prado2004;428744]Hi all, I've researched this and cant seem to see any problems but thought I'd ask the experts!

I'm building a camper trailer at the moment, its got a big toolbox on the drawbar and I plan on putting 3 x sealed lead acid deep cycle batteries in there as well as my 9kg LPG gas cyclinder. The box is going to have a big 260mmx160mm air vent on either side of the box to allow air inside and ventilation. My question is does anyone see any problems with this?

Just didnt want some kind of chemical reaction/explosion. [quote]

Prado2004 ,to answer your question ,no you can't store the batteries and LPG bottle. The batteries would be considered a source of ignition so gas bottle will have an exclusion zone. Refer to AS5601. But then again if you are still going to use that water heater without an AGA approval then it don't much matter anyway. Best spot for the bottle would be in a cradle external on the trailer. It is the industry that i am in and i do see not only the dodgy installations but also the investigative results of things that go wrong so as a result, I would much prefer things done properly for everyones safety.