Upgraded the 30 lb LP tanks to Aluminum with custom base

[johnwen]

22 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I locked the battery tray after our LiFePO4 upgrade since it was the single most expensive addition we've made.

Hi JD,

Wish I had paid more attention while we were at "The Q" but I didn't notice how you locked the battery tray.  Do you have a pic?

Safe travels,

John

[jd1923]

3 minutes ago, johnwen said:

Hi JD,

Wish I had paid more attention while we were at "The Q" but I didn't notice how you locked the battery tray.  Do you have a pic?

Safe travels, John

Sure, NP. I also put a 1" thick square of foam in front of the lock so it does not rattle on the fiberglass door. Best wishes John, to you and Wen!

[johnwen]

Thanks, John 

[Patriot]

On 3/4/2025 at 7:52 PM, johnwen said:

Thanks, John 

John, 

Another lock option which is a little more difficult to get a bite on with a bolt cutters. If nothing else makes it more difficult.

Not seeing many reports of batteries being stolen at least from Olivers, I suppose it is a peace of mind especially

for those that keep their Oliver in a storage facility away from home. 

https://www.amazon.com/BRINKS-173-80051-Stainless-Resettable-Combination/

Hello to Wendy!

David

 

Edited Thursday at 01:55 PM by Patriot

[johnwen]

Does anyone know the weight difference between a full 30lb aluminum tank and a full 20lb steel stank?

John

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, Patriot said:

Another lock option which is a little more difficult to get a bite on with a bolt cutters.

There may not be enough room for this style preferred lock. @johnwen check for clearance on any lock you chose before you drill. My padlock just made the clearance and the round style may not. If it does clear the side wall it may protrude outward keeping the battery door from closing. Has anybody installed this style of round shackle-protected lock?

[Patriot]

5 hours ago, jd1923 said:

There may not be enough room for this style preferred lock. @johnwen check for clearance on any lock you chose before you drill. My padlock just made the clearance and the round style may not. If it does clear the side wall it may protrude outward keeping the battery door from closing. Has anybody installed this style of round shackle-protected lock?

I wondered a little about if there would be enough room with a round lock, it might be tight. 5 years in and we have AGM’s and we only use the exterior hatch lock. I suppose if I had Lithiums I might consider a lock on the tray. This all sorta falls into the bucket of LP tanks and spare locks, I have never heard of either of these items being stolen at least from an Oliver owner here or on the FB owners forum. 

But if it allows an owner peace of mind, I say MOD ON! 👍🏻🤠 Lock’em UP!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

Edited Thursday at 09:23 PM by Patriot

[Patriot]

7 hours ago, johnwen said:

Does anyone know the weight difference between a full 30lb aluminum tank and a full 20lb steel stank?

John

John, 

I know you will do your research on this, after your dive please post up your info. I feel sure others would like to know. My initial thought is the weight difference may not be enough to justify the added expense of aluminum tanks at least for me. Another reason we opted to roll with a 1 ton diesel truck.

Safe Travels! 

CAMP, CAMP, CAMP!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🫡

[topgun2]

Worthington Industries lists a 30# steel tank at 23.3 lbs tare weight (empty) and a 30# aluminum tank at 16.5 lbs Tare weight.
6.8 lb difference x 2 tanks = 13.6 lbs

Sorry I didn't check a 20 vs a 30.

Bill

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Patriot said:

I wondered a little about if there would be enough room with a round lock, it might be tight. 5 years in and we have AGM’s and we only use the exterior hatch lock. I suppose if I had Lithiums I might consider a lock on the tray. This all sorta falls into the bucket of LP tanks and spare locks, I have never heard of either of these items being stolen at least from an Oliver owner here or on the FB owners forum. 

But if it allows an owner peace of mind, I say MOD ON! 👍🏻🤠 Lock’em UP!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

Agreed, I locked my tanks and battery tray because the time it took was to drill a couple holes and as you can see in my picture, I used old padlocks from years past. I did spend on duplicate keys since I like Chris and I to each have a full sett of keys! 😂

[johnwen]

3 hours ago, Patriot said:

My initial thought is the weight difference may not be enough to justify the added expense of aluminum tanks

You're reading my mind...will do :)

[rideadeuce]

A 20 lb steel tank weighs around 17lbs and holds around 4.6 gal propane. Propane weighs 4.2 lbs per gallon.

4.6 x 4.2 = 19.3 lbs

total: 36.3 lbs 

The only reason to upgrade to AL is if you want to carry as much propane as possible with the least amount of weight. Think boondocking on a riverbed in Alaska.

A 30 lb aluminum tank weighs the same as a 20 lb steel tank. 

 

 

[topgun2]

4 hours ago, rideadeuce said:

The only reason to upgrade to AL is if you want to carry as much propane as possible with the least amount of weight.

There is also a slightly reduced risk of an accident that might be caused by a spark.  Aluminum doesn't spark as easily as a steel tank.

Bill

[johnwen]

8 hours ago, rideadeuce said:

A 20 lb steel tank weighs around 17lbs and holds around 4.6 gal propane. Propane weighs 4.2 lbs per gallon.

4.6 x 4.2 = 19.3 lbs

total: 36.3 lbs 

The only reason to upgrade to AL is if you want to carry as much propane as possible with the least amount of weight. Think boondocking on a riverbed in Alaska.

A 30 lb aluminum tank weighs the same as a 20 lb steel tank. 

 

 

Thanks MUCH!  Just what I needed to push me over the edge :)

[Geronimo John]

On 3/2/2025 at 6:41 PM, jd1923 said:

Often I ask for and sometimes get a half-priced stay paying cash without hook-ups.

Good idea!  Frankly had not thought to do so!