Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

Saw this on the Food Network a few minutes ago and had to Google it. A 19
lb composite see-through propane tank made by Lite Cylinder. Same DOT
approvals as steel and aluminum tanks but about half the price of a Seaward
or Manchester 20# aluminum tank. Also about 2" shorter than a regular tank.
Definitely eliminate the corrosion problems.

Evidently they just came on the market because they seem to be hard to find
but some guy on eBay seems to have them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._BIN_Stores_IT

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in news:VPdxg.834$ok5.750
@dukeread01:

but some guy on eBay seems to have them:

Wouldn't it be prudent to wait for a while to see how many explode into
shards of fiberglass and the ensuing explosion before rushing out to buy
one from "some guy on Ebay"?

There might be a REASON Suburban Propane isn't selling them.....??

I kinda like to sleep next to that big steel tank on the other side of the
FLAMMABLE plastic bulkhead, myself. I don't think I'd sleep well next to a
propane bomb you can SEE THROUGH!

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

On Mon, 24 Jul 2006 20:44:39 -0400, "Glenn Ashmore"
wrote:

Saw this on the Food Network a few minutes ago and had to Google it. A 19
lb composite see-through propane tank made by Lite Cylinder. Same DOT
approvals as steel and aluminum tanks but about half the price of a Seaward
or Manchester 20# aluminum tank. Also about 2" shorter than a regular tank.
Definitely eliminate the corrosion problems.

Evidently they just came on the market because they seem to be hard to find
but some guy on eBay seems to have them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._BIN_Stores_IT


Sailorman in Ft. Lauderdale seems to have them in stock all the time.
They have had them for several months or more.

http://www.sailorman.com/newsailor/base/index.php

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

The other sources I have found are asking $89 which looks like it may become
the street price.

The Litecylinder web site has a video of the fire test. Looks like the only
thing that gave out was the hose to the monitoring equipment after 13
minutes. Don't think I would trust an aluminum tank that long but I have
some time to wait and see if there is a recall. .

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Capt. Bill" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 Jul 2006 20:44:39 -0400, "Glenn Ashmore"
wrote:

Saw this on the Food Network a few minutes ago and had to Google it. A 19
lb composite see-through propane tank made by Lite Cylinder. Same DOT
approvals as steel and aluminum tanks but about half the price of a
Seaward
or Manchester 20# aluminum tank. Also about 2" shorter than a regular
tank.
Definitely eliminate the corrosion problems.

Evidently they just came on the market because they seem to be hard to
find
but some guy on eBay seems to have them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._BIN_Stores_IT


Sailorman in Ft. Lauderdale seems to have them in stock all the time.
They have had them for several months or more.

http://www.sailorman.com/newsailor/base/index.php

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

I saw them in FIsheries supply in Seattle.

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

"Larry" wrote

Wouldn't it be prudent to wait for a while to see how many
explode into
shards of fiberglass and the ensuing explosion before
rushing out to buy
one from "some guy on Ebay"?

There might be a REASON Suburban Propane isn't selling
them.....??

I kinda like to sleep next to that big steel tank on the
other side of the
FLAMMABLE plastic bulkhead, myself. I don't think I'd
sleep well next to a
propane bomb you can SEE THROUGH!


yeah! and these fancy new boats they're making outa this
space age material called fiber glass, why you can see
right through the hull. I wouldn't trust one of those
neither. Give me solid wood any day, ya just can't beat it.

SBV

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Saw this on the Food Network a few minutes ago and had to Google it. A 19
lb composite see-through propane tank made by Lite Cylinder. Same DOT
approvals as steel and aluminum tanks but about half the price of a Seaward
or Manchester 20# aluminum tank. Also about 2" shorter than a regular tank.
Definitely eliminate the corrosion problems.

Evidently they just came on the market because they seem to be hard to find
but some guy on eBay seems to have them:

Hi there

We have them here in Denmark and have used them for years now. As far as
i know there haven't been any accidents with them. You can buy them
where you normaly buy your gas wich normaly would be from BP. They call
them BP Gas Light. I couldn't find the tanks on their international
website so here is a link to the danish part:
http://www.bp.com/genericsection.do?...ntId=700 2194

- Lars

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

"John Weston" wrote See the manufacturer's site
http://www.compositescandinavia.se/index.html

That explains why they are old news to you and Lars. :-)

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

"Scotty" wrote in news:E-
:

why you can see
right through the hull.

You don't REALLY think what comes out of a chopper gun is fiberglass, do
ya?

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/Fiberglass_Boats.htm

Man, I hope these tanks ain't made like a Sea Ray!

BOOOM!

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

From the pictures it looks like they are made from uni with a top ply of
woven. Not exactly a chopper gun layout. I would like to see how they are
fabricated though. Controlling the fiber orientation and density in a
completely enclosed mold is something I am really interested in finding out.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Larry" wrote in message
...
"Scotty" wrote in news:E-
:

why you can see
right through the hull.

You don't REALLY think what comes out of a chopper gun is fiberglass, do
ya?

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/Fiberglass_Boats.htm

Man, I hope these tanks ain't made like a Sea Ray!

BOOOM!

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

Larry wrote:
I kinda like to sleep next to that big steel tank on the other side of the
FLAMMABLE plastic bulkhead, myself. I don't think I'd sleep well next to a
propane bomb you can SEE THROUGH!


Dude, get with the times. Fiberglass is stronger than steel.
They've been making tank armor out of it for years.

DSK

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
Larry wrote:
I kinda like to sleep next to that big steel tank on the
other side of the
FLAMMABLE plastic bulkhead, myself. I don't think I'd
sleep well next to a
propane bomb you can SEE THROUGH!


Dude, get with the times. Fiberglass is stronger than
steel.
They've been making tank armor out of it for years.


Shhhhhhh...that's a military secret.

SBV

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

Scotty wrote:
"DSK" wrote in message
. ..

Larry wrote:

I kinda like to sleep next to that big steel tank on the

other side of the

FLAMMABLE plastic bulkhead, myself. I don't think I'd

sleep well next to a

propane bomb you can SEE THROUGH!


Dude, get with the times. Fiberglass is stronger than

steel.

They've been making tank armor out of it for years.



Shhhhhhh...that's a military secret.

SBV



I thought that was ceramic armor.

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

... Fiberglass is stronger than
steel.

They've been making tank armor out of it for years.


Shhhhhhh...that's a military secret.



Don White wrote:
I thought that was ceramic armor.

Who told you about that? They were supposed to kill you
right afterwards.

Are you thinking of Chobham armor?

DSK

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

DSK wrote:
... Fiberglass is stronger than

steel.

They've been making tank armor out of it for years.



Shhhhhhh...that's a military secret.



Don White wrote:

I thought that was ceramic armor.


Who told you about that? They were supposed to kill you right afterwards.

Are you thinking of Chobham armor?

DSK

Not sure... just saw a numbers of programs on the 'Learning Channel'.
They talk about how tanks have progressed, rate the best tanks in the
world etc.

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

Have a look at http://www.ragasco.com

These have been used for years here, and by all accounts they are just
as safe as the conventional tanks. It's a spin-off from the production
of rocket engines for guided missiles, btw.

"L" == Larry writes:

L "Glenn Ashmore" wrote in news:VPdxg.834$ok5.750
L @dukeread01:

but some guy on eBay seems to have them:

L Wouldn't it be prudent to wait for a while to see how many explode into
L shards of fiberglass and the ensuing explosion before rushing out to buy
L one from "some guy on Ebay"?

L There might be a REASON Suburban Propane isn't selling them.....??

L I kinda like to sleep next to that big steel tank on the other side of the
L FLAMMABLE plastic bulkhead, myself. I don't think I'd sleep well next to a
L propane bomb you can SEE THROUGH!


--
C++: The power, elegance and simplicity of a hand grenade.

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

I have snipped the following from www.ragasco.com
It's not laid up from woven material, but spun around a core.
I have no interests in ragasco, other than as a satisfied customer :-)

Frequently Asked Questions

View all the advantages using Complet
All the advantages using Complet is showed under - Products above.

Safety
Safety is the same as or higher than steel. Safety has been the most important design factor during the development project.

The products are constructed in compliance with ADR, based on the requirements of prEN 12245 and approved by the authorities in Germany .

The experience in the market where more than 500 000 units have been shipped out over the last 3 years is very good. Customers and users are very pleased with the performance and handling of our product.

Behaviour in fire
The complet can be burned on a fire without causing other problems than a wild fire.

After a few minutes in a fire, the resin have burned off and the plastic liner melted. The gas pressure inside is relived through the glass fibre structure holding the pressure

No explosion!
fire_test_lpg_complet.wmv (1.89 mb) Fire Test Video (1.89 mb)

Three-piece Complet concept?
- Layer 1 is the seamless gas barrier layer with a boss to assemble the valve into
- Layer 2 is the pressure carrying layer made from continuous fibreglass and resin all around the cylinder
- Layer 3 is the outer casing protecting the pressure cylinder in case of drop,
See the 3 Part Design by clicking here.

The weight of the Complet
- See Technical Specifications
- Easier to lift for the users and handle for the distributors

Translucent
- Easy to see the level of gas inside the Complet. See Visible Gas Level by clicking here.
- You will be able to prevent running out of gas during a BBQ session.

Corrosion and chemical resistance
- Plastic materials do not corrode
- The materials used are resistent to realistic consentrations of acid and solvents
- The pressure vessel is protected by a coating on the outside

Refurbishing
Complet can be easily and inexpensively cleaned by power-washing with water.

Identification of Complet - Standard Marking
- Serial number
- Approval marking
- Corporate logo
- Corporate colors
- ID chip

Performance in colder climates
- The complet is approved and tested down to -40C
- If handled normally, the casing will have no damage at low
temperature, but it?s less resistant to significant impact if
handled severely.


--
C++: The power, elegance and simplicity of a hand grenade.

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

I noted that in the diagrams under "Complete advantages" that the valve
handles were round, not triangular OPVs. What's up with that?

-- Geoff

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

Looks like there are two composite tank makers, Lite Cylinder and Ragasco.
Both have "special" DOT approvals so the smaller tanks have to use OPUV.
The Lite Cylinder models look like they are aimed more at the US market
because they have a 20# model and triangular valve handles. The Ragascos
are 16.5# with nonstandard handles. Also Ragasco doesn't seem to have US
distribution yet.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Ole-Hjalmar Kristensen"
wrote in message
...
I have snipped the following from www.ragasco.com
It's not laid up from woven material, but spun around a core.
I have no interests in ragasco, other than as a satisfied customer :-)

Frequently Asked Questions

View all the advantages using Complet
All the advantages using Complet is showed under - Products above.

Safety
Safety is the same as or higher than steel. Safety has been the most
important design factor during the development project.

The products are constructed in compliance with ADR, based on the
requirements of prEN 12245 and approved by the authorities in Germany .

The experience in the market where more than 500 000 units have been
shipped out over the last 3 years is very good. Customers and users are
very pleased with the performance and handling of our product.

Behaviour in fire
The complet can be burned on a fire without causing other problems than a
wild fire.

After a few minutes in a fire, the resin have burned off and the plastic
liner melted. The gas pressure inside is relived through the glass fibre
structure holding the pressure

No explosion!
fire_test_lpg_complet.wmv (1.89 mb) Fire Test Video (1.89 mb)

Three-piece Complet concept?
- Layer 1 is the seamless gas barrier layer with a boss to assemble the
valve into
- Layer 2 is the pressure carrying layer made from continuous fibreglass
and resin all around the cylinder
- Layer 3 is the outer casing protecting the pressure cylinder in case of
drop,
See the 3 Part Design by clicking here.

The weight of the Complet
- See Technical Specifications
- Easier to lift for the users and handle for the distributors

Translucent
- Easy to see the level of gas inside the Complet. See Visible Gas Level
by clicking here.
- You will be able to prevent running out of gas during a BBQ session.

Corrosion and chemical resistance
- Plastic materials do not corrode
- The materials used are resistent to realistic consentrations of acid and
solvents
- The pressure vessel is protected by a coating on the outside

Refurbishing
Complet can be easily and inexpensively cleaned by power-washing with
water.

Identification of Complet - Standard Marking
- Serial number
- Approval marking
- Corporate logo
- Corporate colors
- ID chip

Performance in colder climates
- The complet is approved and tested down to -40C
- If handled normally, the casing will have no damage at low
temperature, but it?s less resistant to significant impact if
handled severely.


--
C++: The power, elegance and simplicity of a hand grenade.

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Looks like there are two composite tank makers, Lite Cylinder and Ragasco.

Yeah...I emailed one, I'll make a SWAG and say it was Lite Cylinder,
asking if they had a 40# model (7.+ gals for some, and a different
number entirely for the metric crowd that I had fun with in Canada while
there although the lady took my slip which listed liters and looked it
up on the table to figure out how many gallons that was so she could
charge me in for how many pounds I got, honest...I watched her do it)
and they don't. I was thinking of changing out the metallic ones in my
5th wheel. I figured that there are more than a few people in my
condition in the RV crowd..."Vertically challenged and horizontally
enhanced".

Composite Propane tank anyone?
 

Lite Cylinder does make a 33# horizontal fork lift cylinder.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Steve Thrasher" wrote in message
...
Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Looks like there are two composite tank makers, Lite Cylinder and
Ragasco.

Yeah...I emailed one, I'll make a SWAG and say it was Lite Cylinder,
asking if they had a 40# model (7.+ gals for some, and a different
number entirely for the metric crowd that I had fun with in Canada while
there although the lady took my slip which listed liters and looked it
up on the table to figure out how many gallons that was so she could
charge me in for how many pounds I got, honest...I watched her do it)
and they don't. I was thinking of changing out the metallic ones in my
5th wheel. I figured that there are more than a few people in my
condition in the RV crowd..."Vertically challenged and horizontally
enhanced".