Peanut lives on!

[bkahler]

Final pictures from yesterday.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Final pictures from yesterday.

Attachment 319651Attachment 319652Attachment 319653

One thing I noticed about Ernies work, he is thorough and persistent and pays attention to details. Lucky to have someone like that to do this job.

[Danec020]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Fred? You mean Ernie [emoji38]

My best guess is he's between 30 and 35 hours polishing so far. This doesn't count the hours to strip the paint. A lot of those polishing hours are dealing with scratches. He showed me a section today where the scratches had been greatly reduced to almost nothing by using a different technique with different media.

Lol don't know why I said fred. Sorry Ernie! He is doing a great job though. Watching this has me dreading polishing my caravel. But I agree on the temps and humidity, its been killing me lately.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

One thing I noticed about Ernies work, he is thorough and persistent and pays attention to details. Lucky to have someone like that to do this job.

Shhh....don't say that too loud, he's already got a big head...

[bkahler]

I guess I missed a day or two of posting updated pictures. Here's yesterday's picture.

[martin300662]

Getting there Brad....getting there!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Getting there Brad....getting there!

Remember, this is just phase 1

[mirobbi]

You're the expert and have helped me out before. I have a '75 Argosy 20' that was converted to a Cummins 350 turbo diesel with overdrive transmission. Drives like a dream and gets 13-15 mpg one the road. Problem now is that I need to replace my propane tank. Manchester doesn't recognize the tank model of their original tank but sent me prints of all their current tanks. Looks like the Manchester 6817 is the correct tank. My problem is that I can't get the old tank out. Have you had any occasion to replace your tank(s) and if so, how?

Mike Robbins

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mirobbi

You're the expert and have helped me out before. I have a '75 Argosy 20' that was converted to a Cummins 350 turbo diesel with overdrive transmission. Drives like a dream and gets 13-15 mpg one the road. Problem now is that I need to replace my propane tank. Manchester doesn't recognize the tank model of their original tank but sent me prints of all their current tanks. Looks like the Manchester 6817 is the correct tank. My problem is that I can't get the old tank out. Have you had any occasion to replace your tank(s) and if so, how?

Mike Robbins

Hi Mike,

I wish I could help but the propane tank used in my Argosy is smaller and different than the one used in yours. Mine mounted to the truck frame with two L shaped brackets that bolted onto the ends of the tank. Also mine was located right behind the steps. Mine actually wasn't that hard to access. However I glanced at Peanut's tank and access is not near as convenient. The rear corner mount with the curved rear banana wraps definitely will make it more difficult.

Somewhere I have a picture of Peanut with the banana wrap removed that might give you an idea of what to expect. I'll look for the picture this evening.

Brad

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Hi Mike,

I wish I could help but the propane tank used in my Argosy is smaller and different than the one used in yours. Mine mounted to the truck frame with two L shaped brackets that bolted onto the ends of the tank. Also mine was located right behind the steps. Mine actually wasn't that hard to access. However I glanced at Peanut's tank and access is not near as convenient. The rear corner mount with the curved rear banana wraps definitely will make it more difficult.

Somewhere I have a picture of Peanut with the banana wrap removed that might give you an idea of what to expect. I'll look for the picture this evening.

Brad

These Brad?

[WayneG]

That looks like the tank on my 20 foot 77 argosy. The way they mounted the fill port, it was almost impossible for the LPG vendor to hookup because the hose and adapter were to tall to fit under the fill plumbing.

I solved it by taking the ell out of the fill valve and cutting the rear bumper and adding hinge to allow direct access from the rear.

[martin300662]

Actually this discussion has triggered my curiosity and leads to a Peanut specific question. In Europe autogas conversions of American V8 (or any other gas-guzzler) are quiet common. When they do so, they install a propane tank in place of the gas tank (sometimes keeping a small, maybe 1 gallon, gas tank for starting). However they install a bayonet filler, and high pressure hose connection to the tank. What is stopping the original ACME filler being removed from our propane tanks and replaced with a high pressure connection to a remote filler? (http://www.lpgshop.co.uk/lpg-filling-points/)



These are available with the local connection standard (for example ACME) but removes the need to crawl around the lower compartments to hook up?

[mirobbi]

Brad, thanks for that. I've had a couple of people look at it and try to get the tank off. Looks like I may have to take it to a nearby Airstream service center as I've been told that at least part of the side panel has to come off to get access to the bolts.

[GWallace]

The propane tank photos that Martin shows look just like the tank on my 77 20.

For filling access I purchased a right angle fitting that allows longer filling fittings to connect horizontal to the ground. I got this fitting in 1978 when I purchased the motorhome. I’m not sure such a thing is available anymore. When traveling, I have a need for it about half of the time.

As far as removal of the tank, it is held to the frame with brackets on the far side (in the photo) bolted to brackets on the frame. I think that it is held in place with four bolts accessible from underneath. There is one wire for fuel level sensor (visible in the photo) and the flexible POL hose to also disconnect. Depending on how far the banana wrap extends underneath, the tank may be removed without removing the banana wrap.

Gregg

[Foxbrook]

Wow, Brad! I really like the polished look. These pictures give me hope for one day being able to do the same for Dream Boat!

Shanna

[Stephenssg]

Peanut was a great find and in excellent hands!

[mirobbi]

Thanks. Sounds like my tank. I can feel the bolts but cannot get a wrench or socket on any of them. For whatever reason, only 3 of the 4 ears have bolts. Our local mobile RV mechanic came over to help me and couldn’t get to them either. Will try another place where we can get it up on a lift and see what happens.

[Boom Sounds]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Actually this discussion has triggered my curiosity and leads to a Peanut specific question. In Europe autogas conversions of American V8 (or any other gas-guzzler) are quiet common. When they do so, they install a propane tank in place of the gas tank (sometimes keeping a small, maybe 1 gallon, gas tank for starting). However they install a bayonet filler, and high pressure hose connection to the tank. What is stopping the original ACME filler being removed from our propane tanks and replaced with a high pressure connection to a remote filler? (http://www.lpgshop.co.uk/lpg-filling-points/)



These are available with the local connection standard (for example ACME) but removes the need to crawl around the lower compartments to hook up?

I think perfectly achievable.

Full Euro conversions usually replace the stock tank and replace with a much larger tank for feeding the Impco kit. I am no expert, but I believe you can tee off that for an external feed as well.

In terms of your needs, I can’t see why you couldn’t have a feed to your gas supply providing you can isolate it.

I know someone who has the conversion if you need to know the facts. I think I have some photos of his set up which has two tanks. I also know of a converter with a good rep, although LAS will offer this service at a price...I have a feeling that you can’t get the Manchester tanks in Europe. I think they used to offer some kind of strapped on tank, which I didn’t like the sound of.


BTW - GPL was circa 65c on the continent with standard gas running at 1.41 Euros....a big difference. I just clocked up 3000 miles. I will do the conversion this year if I can rustle up the cash.

See you at the footie soon!
All best
Nick

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Boom Sounds

I think perfectly achievable.

Full Euro conversions usually replace the stock tank and replace with a much larger tank for feeding the Impco kit. I am no expert, but I believe you can tee off that for an external feed as well.

In terms of your needs, I can’t see why you couldn’t have a feed to your gas supply providing you can isolate it.

I know someone who has the conversion if you need to know the facts. I think I have some photos of his set up which has two tanks. I also know of a converter with a good rep, although LAS will offer this service at a price...I have a feeling that you can’t get the Manchester tanks in Europe. I think they used to offer some kind of strapped on tank, which I didn’t like the sound of.


BTW - GPL was circa 65c on the continent with standard gas running at 1.41 Euros....a big difference. I just clocked up 3000 miles. I will do the conversion this year if I can rustle up the cash.

See you at the footie soon!
All best
Nick

By my calculations that would have saved you something like $750 on this trip alone!

I am only thinking of using the remote filler on the current propane tank on Peanut (as you have to got under the bumper to refill), to go the whole hog would also require the generator to switch to propane as well and I am not sure Peanuts 40 year old Onan would take it!

[Boom Sounds]

Originally Posted by martin300662

By my calculations that would have saved you something like $750 on this trip alone!

I am only thinking of using the remote filler on the current propane tank on Peanut (as you have to got under the bumper to refill), to go the whole hog would also require the generator to switch to propane as well and I am not sure Peanuts 40 year old Onan would take it!

Out of interest, why would you need to switch out the generator? I assumed I could leave mine on petrol (gas)