The LPG Tank

LPG gas cylinder training video

2011-12-22T03:34:00.000-08:00

This video on YouTube has some excellent pointers for using your LPG cylinder, well worth a watch

LPG Autogas: 6 questions you need answered!!!

2011-11-28T03:42:00.001-08:00

Here at the LPG Tank we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions regarding the fitting of and living with LPG autogas.

What happens when I convert to LPG Autogas?
When you get an LPG conversion or your vehicle - a new fuel system is added to the vehicle independent of the current one, the autogas system will require a separate fuel tank which can take up quite a lot of room (it usually replaces the spare wheel).Is LPG Autogas safe in a collision?Actually LPG is considerably safer than petrol or diesel. Many people believe that it’s more dangerous due to its gaseous state. When in fact its considerably safer as thanks to its extremely tough tank there is little chance of it ever making contact with oxygen – not to mention LPG tanks have numerous in built safety devices.

What sort of effect does LPG have on the environment?
Autogas is actually an extremely clean-burning fuel, so much so it is often classed as environmentally friendly. On average it produces around 20% less CO2 emissions when compared to petrol.

Are LPG prices going to rise like petrol and diesel?
Not only is LPG Autogas cheap it’s also environmentally friendly, which means that the government would far rather you used Autogas than petrol or diesel. This means that they will try and keep the taxes low thus keeping the price cheap.

Doesn’t it defeat the purpose if I have to drive for miles to refuel?
Actually there are well over 1500 Autogas refuelling stations throughout the UK now so you should never have to drive very far to fill up the tank.

Ok, but what if I run out of Autogas whilst I’m driving?
As long as you have some petrol/diesel in your tank there’s nothing to worry about. You can switch between the two fuels by flicking a switch. So as long as you keep some petrol in the car you shouldn’t experience any problems.

Hopefully we've managed to provide some useful answers, but if you have any questions that we haven't addressed then please feel free to leave us a comment and we'll get right back to you.

Why you should convert to LPG!

2011-09-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

With petrol prices on the increase and growing concerns about climate change, there has never been a better time to consider switching to LPG.
Our top five reasons to switch are:

1. LPG is paying for itself even quicker
Even though regular fuel prices have shot up dramatically, overall the cost of converting to LPG has fallen. For instance a vehicle running on LPG will see fuel bills reduced by around 40% and with the savings available when comparing petrol and LPG (on average 60p per litre) an LPG conversion is paying for itself far quicker than it used to.

2. Big increases in the number of LPG equipped petrol stations
Thanks to the growing number of LPG filling stations throughout the UK – around 1,500 and rising, it’s now pretty easy to travel round the country without having the worry about switching back to petrol. And for those of you that like to travel a bit further afield there are plenty of filling stations throughout Europe as well.

3. Cheap maintenance and servicing costs
Aside from having the recommended annual service, no other action should be necessary except maybe the occasional filter change. As LPG systems and technology are becoming more advanced, the product is becoming more reliable and easier to use.

4. LPG puts less stress on your engine and can actually help it run smoother.
LPG is a actually cleaner fuel than petrol due to the smaller molecules, as such there is a reduction in emissions including carbon dioxide. Not to mention the fact that cleaner fuels extend the life of your engine and can actually reduce the carbon footprint by over 15 %.

The greater advances in LPG technology are allowing the systems to keep up with any changes in new vehicle technology thus ensuring it is fully compatible with existing vehicle management systems.

5. It can be cheaper to insure
The majority of insurance companies now offer discounts on policies for vehicles running on LPG. However, it is extremely important to ensure you use a UKLPG approved installer such because insurance companies will require the converted vehicle to be registered on the UKLPG vehicle conversion database to which they have direct access. By making sure you use an approved installer you can ensure that the car is converted according to strict industry standards and will also receive a courtesy check-up after 100 miles.

Propane Tank Disposal 101

2011-08-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

When disposing of any vessel that contains flammable or dangerous materials, always follow your local/national safety regulations, this includes the disposal of propane tanks. While it may actually be possible to recycle the container, some areas may not have suitable recycling facilities, and therefore the container may have to be taken to a salvage yard or local authority dump to ensure proper disposal. It is imperative that you do not throw propane tanks into a skip or bin as other rubbish can puncture or crush the container which may result in an explosion.

The propane tank should be emptied through normal use i.e. cooking with a gas bbq. The next step is to call potential disposal sites and consult the phone book/web for propane tank disposal companies and scrap metal yards. The disposal companies may come to you and collect the tank; however they usually charge a disposal fee. The scrap metal yards will require the container to be delivered, and many yards will refuse containers of dangerous materials.
You can also try taking your old propane tank to a diy store, there are some stores that will take your tank when you buy a new one.

If you are transporting the tank, place it tank on the floor of the vehicle. You must do your best to avoid sharp turns or poorly paved roads that could potentially cause the tank to tip or roll.

To dispose of a small propane tank, the kind often used for camping, find a local recycling depot that can accept the item or notify your local refuse collection service. If the item can be collected by your regular bin-men, place the container on the ground to avoid the risk of your tank puncturing.

You should never just release propane gas into the air just by opening the valve as the slightest spark could start a fire.

Installing Underground Propane Tanks

2011-08-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

Installing an underground propane tank comes with a completely different set of rules and specifications that have to be met in order to ensure that it’s both legal and safe. The underground propane tanks are designed specifically to be installed underground and yet still allow access to all the necessary features.

Even though the actual tank fittings, valves and connections are generally same amongst propane tanks, the actual placement is obviously different depending on whether it’s above or below ground. A surface tank will usually have the relief and withdrawal valves positioned outside the dome and normally on opposite ends of the tank. With an underground propane tank, all of the fittings and connections are positioned centrally so they can be protected by both the dome walls and cover.

And finally for those not sure, yes it is illegal to bury a propane tank designated for use above ground.

I have included this video so anyone thinking about going for an underground tank can see what is involved. Enjoy!

Top Tips for Buying a Second-Hand LPG Car....

2011-07-12T04:31:00.001-07:00

Now buying any second hand car requires a degree of caution, but even more so when it’s had a fuel conversion. However with a little patience, some knowledge and a bit of luck you should be able to get yourself a great runner without any of the hassle or costs associated with fitting an LPG kit yourself.

There are a number of benefits to purchasing an LPG car; save money on fuel costs, reduced carbon footprint and vehicle tax discounts.

Now before you go off into the big bad world of second hand car sales we would thoroughly recommend arming yourself with some relevant knowledge.

Handily here’s a list of our 4 top tips for buying a second hand LPG car:

1. Ask to see the LPGA Conversion Certificate before doing anything; the vehicle should have been converted by a reputable installer. If the LPG was factory fitted the V5 logbook will show this. This certificate will be necessary to get insurance and any tax reductions etc.

2. When it comes to insuring the vehicle different companies have different policies, although most won’t charge any extra for a LPG vehicle over 80% of insurance have stated that they will only insure vehicles with a LPGA certified conversion.

3. If you intend to register the car for a discount on road tax then you should be aware that passing the criteria is based on the cars emissions for the year, and the year it was registered. Now in some cases it may not be worth getting too caught up in this, as the discount for LPG vehicles is usually only around £15-£20.

4. And just to be extra safe we would always ask to see the vehicles service history. LPG systems need to be serviced every year, and as you can imagine this might not always be carried out. If you have any concerns you could ask a LPGA certified installer to check the system over for you.

Now we know some of this seems a bit pernickety, and admittedly the advice above is by no means foolproof. But it is a start towards getting the right vehicle, and chances are you’ll be parting with quite a lot of money, so as clichéd as it is your ‘better safe than sorry’. Happy Shopping !!!

LPG Explained (In a Very 1960's American Way)

2011-06-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

A great little video found on YouTube, showing that despite its recent rise in popularity LPG has been around for a while!

Welcome...

2011-06-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hi fellow gas guzzlers,

Welcome the LPG Tank Blog, the idea for the blog came when we decided that LPG was the way forward (at least in the meantime) and we should do all we can to spread the word.

So you can expect all the latest news, information and plenty of opinion's on all the stuff we find most interesting about LPG.