LPG bottle getting hot

[lost in espace]

I bought an LPG powered generator and ran it for the first time yesterday for about 4 hours.

The propane bottle got very hot to the touch. I thought these bottles got cold as they were used, I am sure I have seen them with ice on the outside.

Anyone confirm what is going on here, I didn't spot it was hot until I turned it off otherwise I would have stopped using it.

[4x4Tyke]

That is unusual. When a compressed gas boils it draws heat from the surrounding environment. Hence the ice formed from environmental moisture you've previously observed. This heat must therefore be coming from the combustion. Is it CE Marked? If branded I would call up their help line.

[trickywoo]

I'd say it was heated by an outside source.

Does your setup include a pressure relief valve?

[herewego]

Any pictures?

[55palfers]

Very strange, was it hot all round the cylinder or locally?

[FuzzyLogic]

Obvious question.. you didn't have it close to the Gen exhaust!?

[Drumroll]

I would suggest you don't use it again until you find out the cause.

[skeggysteve]

Don't want to be alarmist but it shouldn't get hot!

Yes, your are right they do get ice on the outside but generally only when hooked up to something using a lot of gas.

The bottle should have a safety valve on it so if it gets over pressure it will vent but I'd still suggest keeping away from it.

If you have any concerns about it going bang call the fire service and ask for advice - as I'm sure you know they would rather you do that than have to attend a bomb going off!

[sherman]

I would stop using it imediatley. As said above a replacement tank is a lot less hassle than explaining to the emergancy services where your house has gone.

[lost in espace]

Heating from the exhaust does sound the most plausible explanation, its just a big calor bottle with a regulator on it.

[roofer]

The bottles take a fair bit of stick, we used to warm them up with a gas gun when they froze in the winter.