Date:         Tue, 21 Oct 1997 08:03:42 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject:      Propane Problems! Proxy heater warning!
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

   This happened last year.

   A friend a mine heats his garage with a 20 lb. propane tank and
   a construction sight, style heater. (looks like a karosone).
   Some other people who rent one of the adjacent garages, liked
   this heater and bought one. As we were talking over the holiday,
   the tank was running low on propane, so my friend walked over
   to it, and turned it upside down. He said he did this to ensure
   the tank would completely empty. I didn't like the idea, but if
   it was almost empty, not much could happen. Well the people with
   the adjacent garage saw this, and inverted there brand new full tank
   of propane. After sometime THE GARAGE BURST INTO FLAMES! For
   some reason, up at the tank end, something failed, the regulator
   or maybe the hose burst. This sent propane across there garage
   and flamed up, instantly, as it got near the heater.

   3 Fire companies were called to put out the fire. Later It was
   found that the hose had burst. I don't no if this was a resault
   of inverting the tank or not. The hole thing was brand new, so the
   problem wasn't wear. Anyone have any ideas on this? I'm thinking
   that inverting the tank forced liquid out of the hose, maybe causing
   an over pressure. If this is true could driving with a proxy heater
   turned on cause the same problem?


            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler