Portable gas can imploding

[tnuck]

Hope this is the right section!!---What is going on with my portable gas tanks. Shut them down for storage and the plastic Attwood and Tempo brands seem to implode. Release vent and gas goes everywhere until pressure equalizes. Why does pressure build up on these cans so much. Metal cans do the same, but don't implode. Sure hiss a lot when I open them. Any help

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: Portable gas can imploding

All has to do with gas vapors. When it gets warm the can will swell because the heat causes the gas to vaporize a lot easier (moving/shaking the can also makes it easier for the gas to vaporize), and it should do the direct opposite when the can is subject to cooler temperatures (vapors will settle making the can implode. A quick twist of the cap should fix the can.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Portable gas can imploding

that's why you leave the top loose unless you are transporting.

 

[DJ]

Re: Portable gas can imploding

VENT! Basic physics.

Metal is Stonger than plastic. The same is happening (metal), you just don't see it.

 

[tnuck]

Re: Portable gas can imploding

What happens to the gas if I leave it open for two weeks or more? Is it less potent? Don't boat that often.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Portable gas can imploding

The vapor is the gas evaporating so it does not become less potent you just have less of it. Probably not enough loss to even measure. Definitely better than exploding!

 

[tnuck]

Re: Portable gas can imploding

Thanks all for not treating me like an idiot. I shall store with vent open from now on.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Portable gas can imploding

Not near an open flame. ie:water heater

 

[KC4YIN]

Re: Portable gas can imploding

I had one of these tanks and left the vent open while the boat was in the yard under a cover. The tank was full and when I came back several weeks later the warm temperatures had caused over half the gas to to spill out of the tank into the bottom of the boat and leave a nasty stain.

 

[Shife]

Re: Portable gas can imploding

I had one of these tanks and left the vent open while the boat was in the yard under a cover. The tank was full and when I came back several weeks later the warm temperatures had caused over half the gas to to spill out of the tank into the bottom of the boat and leave a nasty stain.

Your tank was overfilled, not full. Seems silly, but there is a difference.