fiberglass propane tanks

[carib2008]

We need a new propane tank....have been looking at the new fiberglass ones.....does anyone have any experience with them......concerned re someplaces in Caribbean not filling them for various reasons.....is anyone out there using them.....eg.....in BVI they would not fill an aluminum tank as someone had an explosion with one....years ago....

thanks....carib2008

[S/V Mother Ocean]

I have looked into these too. I am sold on them. I have a few years to go before I cast off so I am holding out right now, and doing other projects. I am an officer in the Fire Service (Fire Department) so the safety of these tanks was my first question. It seems that when tested the resin burns off and lets the gas escape slowly and they do not have rupture failure (BOOM) like with a metal tank. Think of the old Colman gas lantern mantel glowing as gas escapes it. The Hydro test is every 5 years. I got that from the only North American manufacturer of them. An Aluminum tank is every 12 years, 3 times max. Here are some links about them.

http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=1416&itemID=33331&src=NFPAJournal&cookie%5Ftest=1

http://www.firemarshals.org/docs/Composite%20Cylinders%20FINAL%2007.pdf

http://www.rvsupplywarehouse.com/product/detail.cfm/pid/3587

Dan

[dickmckee119@hotmail.com]

We have 2 of them on our boat. They are great. We live on the left coast, and in California, where they have a law for everything, they fill them with no problem. Each tank has a certification sticker. The tanks very light and best of all you can see how much propane is in the tank. I found them on line for about $88 each.

[Hytech2k]

I have worked in the propane field for over 8 years now here in sunny Florida as a service tech. I work for the 3rd largest propane company in the US.. There are 2 companies in the US licensed to manufacture fiber wrapped tanks and one just lost their permit... We have had 2 instances in the Miami area of tanks blowing the bottoms off.. These were both fiber-wrapped forklift cylinders left in the sun during the middle of summer.. The Dept of Agriculture is currently investigating the cause of the rupture.. Keep in mind these tanks have pressure relief valve to vent off excess pressure in order to protect the cylinder from rupturing, apparently these exploded before the relief valves were able to vent... In my opinion it is too early in the manufacturing and testing phase to determine the safety of prolonged exposure to the sun and high temperatures.. Better to be safe.. Anyways hope this helps....

Gerald

[shorty@copperbeech.com]

Practical Sailor has indicated a pending testing/review.

[Nausicaa]

They won't even fill aluminum ones.

[gerry]

I have just been on the marina run here in Guatemala to fill the propane tanks. saw my first fibreglass one, looks great!
You can see the level of the gas. Apparently when it was first taken to the station here for refilling the staff were suspicious and refused but once the owner downloaded some info and sent it along- no problem. certainly much lighter than conventional tanks and doesn't rust.

www.gerryantics.blogspot.com