Karl
Moderator Emeritus
Just happened on this link while visiting a Casita RV owners forum. Watch the fire test video; quite amazing!
http://www.litecylinder.com/index.html
http://www.litecylinder.com/index.html
Fiberglass propane tank!!
- Thread starter Karl
- Start date
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2006F350
Well-known member
Interesting, as it is fiberglass, I half expected it to go up in a big mushroom cloud. Wonder if they have plans to market a 30 pound tank?
Larry
Larry
Jim Dick
Moderator Emeritus
2006F350 said:
I would be willing to bet they are working on a 30lb tank. The majority of travel trailers and 5th wheels use 30lb tanks. Some are now coming with 40lb tanks!
It's not really plastic or fiberglass...it's a carbon composite material. Same thing some airplanes are made of. Very strong. Ain't cheap though because of manufacturing cost. The 20 lb is $75. In the case of steel bottles left outside here in FL, they corrode quickly. Personally, knowing the strength and durability of composites, I would feel much safer with them. Hope they get to a 30 lb model....I'll take two please. ;D
OP
OP
Karl
Moderator Emeritus
Bruce,
I've seen a lot of carbon fiber in and on race cars, but have never seen a transparent or translucent variety. I sent an email to them asking what it's made from (and a few other questions), and I'll post as soon as I get an answer.
I've seen a lot of carbon fiber in and on race cars, but have never seen a transparent or translucent variety. I sent an email to them asking what it's made from (and a few other questions), and I'll post as soon as I get an answer.
John From Detroit
Well-known member
As for 30 lb tanks for Motor Homes.. You can always E-mail them and ask
The web page does show a Fork Lift tank, the major difference between a fork lift tank and a MH tank is that the Forklift tank is designed to output LIQUID lp for the carberator on the lift
And perhaps a bit stronger due to fork lifts tending to not be operated by the folks who pay for fixing them
The web page does show a Fork Lift tank, the major difference between a fork lift tank and a MH tank is that the Forklift tank is designed to output LIQUID lp for the carberator on the lift
And perhaps a bit stronger due to fork lifts tending to not be operated by the folks who pay for fixing them
Well, I was wrong...again. 
I got an email back from the company. Here's the response:
"Thank you for your inquiry on our Lite Cylinder. It is not carbon composite, it is e-glass and resin. The process was invented in Sweden, and we have the Franchise in the states & Canada. The plans for 30# is at least a year away. Thanks Shelley"
I got an email back from the company. Here's the response: "Thank you for your inquiry on our Lite Cylinder. It is not carbon composite, it is e-glass and resin. The process was invented in Sweden, and we have the Franchise in the states & Canada. The plans for 30# is at least a year away. Thanks Shelley"
John From Detroit
Well-known member
Steve said:
Gee, I did not know there were any surrounding areas after a traditional steel Propane tank gets overheated to the flash point
Just a vast open area
(Thinking of a NCIS episode where the bad dude holed up in a trailer... Gibbs whistled, the dog (Canine type not 2 legged type) ran to Gibbs, and Gibbs double tapped the propane tanks.
I think the steel frame of the trailer was left, no wheels though
Tony said "I think you got him boss"
NOTE: I don't think double tapping (Shooting twice in quick succession) would blow a real propane tank,, However two spaced shots might
OP
OP
Karl
Moderator Emeritus
Bruce,
Don't feel bad; carbon fiber materials are not in very common usage yet, and many of us think of a composite as being some sort of fiberglass/phenolic resin composition. One of the engineering sites paraphrases Henry Ford's comment about the Model T - "You can get in any color, as long as it's black" Same holds true for carbon fibers; they start out life as white or clear strands, but are then heated to about 1000 deg. C. to make 'fabric grade' material, or nearly 3000 deg. C. for a nearly 100% graphite material. Net result is it's always black.
In any event, either a fiberglass or carbon fiber propane tank would have both weight and long term life advantages over the ordinary steel tanks.
BTW: I have not received a response to my email yet...
Don't feel bad; carbon fiber materials are not in very common usage yet, and many of us think of a composite as being some sort of fiberglass/phenolic resin composition. One of the engineering sites paraphrases Henry Ford's comment about the Model T - "You can get in any color, as long as it's black"
Same holds true for carbon fibers; they start out life as white or clear strands, but are then heated to about 1000 deg. C. to make 'fabric grade' material, or nearly 3000 deg. C. for a nearly 100% graphite material. Net result is it's always black.In any event, either a fiberglass or carbon fiber propane tank would have both weight and long term life advantages over the ordinary steel tanks.
BTW: I have not received a response to my email yet...
