Propane tanks, gas grille vs forklift

[sprintmj19]

A buddy of mine, in another state, brought home a fork lift propane tank from the company he works at (and owns), for use on his barbeque grill.

I'm not sure what piping changes he had to make to hook the tank up to the grill regulator, but he got-er-done.

The regulator froze up, internally and externally, and the grill caught on fire. My understanding is there was no damage to the grill.

Are fork lift propane tanks charged to a higher pressure than the propane tanks for a gas grill?

My thought is both tanks are the same, but I have no idea what pressures, etc. either one is charged to, I've never paid any attention.

[sprintmj19]

You learn something new every day. It seems forklifts use liquid propane and their tanks are designed for that. Gas grills use propane vapor.

propane101.com says my buddy is lucky he didn't blow himself up.

[Tiger93rsl]

Yep forklifts use liquid propane not vapor.

[Cooked]

Ummm......don't gas grilles and forklifts burn propane gas (vapor) while their tanks are filled filled with condensed vapor (liquid)? Don't the propane tanks on my travel trailer and gas grill have a float switch so that they can't be filled with more 80% liquid before it begins to vent to atmosphere?

[aemeeich]

Are fork lift propane tanks charged to a higher pressure than the propane tanks for a gas grill?

My thought is both tanks are the same, but I have no idea what pressures, etc. either one is charged to, I've never paid any attention.

Propane is a refrigerant - R290, so it follows the pressure/temperature rules that all refrigerants follow.

As long as there is some amount of liquid in the tank, the pressure depends on temperature and nothing else. At 55° - 85psi, at 70° - 110psi, at 85° - 140psi

[Cooked]

Propane is a refrigerant - R290, so it follows the pressure/temperature rules that all refrigerants follow.

As long as there is some amount of liquid in the tank, the pressure depends on temperature and nothing else. At 55° - 85psi, at 70° - 110psi, at 85° - 140psi

You hit the nail on the head. But, propane is is not necessarily purposed as a refrigerant but can be used as one just as kerosene, gasoline, air (atmosphere) or many other compounds or gases can.

And to address the conversation in this thread, the tanks are filled with a liquid which presents a vapor pressure at the tank exit if the tank is positioned upright, just like a cylinder of R-22 or whatever. In the case of a gas grill a diaphragm somewhere in the supply hose connected to the tank reduces the tank pressure to a safe level. Also, on your cylinder look for a rupture disc or on a fork lift tank a pressure bleed valve connected to the outlet.

[jmac00]

You hit the nail on the head. But, propane is is not necessarily purposed as a refrigerant but can be used as one just as kerosene, gasoline, air (atmosphere) or many other compounds or gases can.

And to address the conversation in this thread, the tanks are filled with a liquid which presents a vapor pressure at the tank exit if the tank is positioned upright, just like a cylinder of R-22 or whatever. In the case of a gas grill a diaphragm somewhere in the supply hose connected to the tank reduces the tank pressure to a safe level. Also, on your cylinder look for a rupture disc or on a fork lift tank a pressure bleed valve connected to the outlet.

I was thinking the guy laid the tank down on it's side, thats why he had a problem

[uniservice]

Motor fuel tanks have a liquid dip tube that puts liquid LPG to the valve. Its either set up for laying on it's side or for stand up use. Either way, it ain't gonna work on a barbeque. Be careful that you didn't rupture the regulator diaphram putting liquid into it.

[jmac00]

so there must be a difference between a *standard* 30lb LPG Tank and a LPG tank for motor vehicles.

I wonder what the insurance company is going to say if he burns down his house by using the wrong tank?

[Space Racer]

You can fill a grill tank from a forklift tank, if you can find an adapter. If you are EPA certified and you are experienced in proper refrigerant recovery, you should have no problem. Remember to check your tank ratings and certification dates.

[jmac00]

You can fill a grill tank from a forklift tank, if you can find an adapter. If you are EPA certified and you are experienced in proper refrigerant recovery, you should have no problem. Remember to check your tank ratings and certification dates.

it just so happens I have an adapter at my Cabin in the Adirondacks. It was another thing that came with the cabin. Now I know how to use it, thanx

[Tiger93rsl]

I was looking at one of those tanks today. All you need to do is pull the valve out cut the dip tube and swap it with the plug in the vapor hole.

[sweat hog]

So that's why my forkin lift tank is always empty!!!!!!!. I swapped it to vapor a few years ago and it does a whole lot better.
I got new tanks for it when I got it and It kept destroying the valve seat in the regulator. I think because of trapped liquid between the tank valve and the regulator after shutting down and turning off the tank valve.