Forum Discussion

flyfishing48's avatar
flyfishing48
Explorer
Oct 13, 2014

Filling Propane Tanks

DW and I had a conversation over dinner tonight.
She reminded me that some friends of ours had a party store ( convince store for those outside northern Michigan ) and how they told us about refilling propane tanks and how profitable it was. I am certain that they were on the up and up, but DW asked how do you know if our tanks get filled each time. My reply was that I don't really know for sure., without weighing them on a scale.

So in thinking about this , when I get my tanks refilled people refilling the tanks don't all seem to be following the same procedures.
Some bleed the tank first, most don't.
Some read the tare weight on the tank, a few didn't seem to.
Some seem to watch the scale, others seem to go by something else.

So what is the proper way to refill a propane tank? :h
  • motorcycle_jack's avatar
    motorcycle_jack
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2014
    All propane handlers are "supposed" to be trained in the proper method of filling tanks. If they are not following the procedure of opening the vent screw until liquid flows out at the 80% level, I would ask to see their training certificate. Then I would put a word into the state's weights and measurement board or fire marshall if they didn't have one.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2014
    99.9% of the time the vent tube is used to make sure the tanks are full. Only 1 shop, a propane tank sales business, weighed the tanks.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 13, 2014
    Opening bleeder valve while filling until it spews liquid propane out.....proper method

    Weighing while filling...proper method

    Going by number of gallons clicked off on meter....works but not proper or accurate

    Filling until it stops due to activation of Overfill Protective Device (OPD)......wrong method completely. It is a safety device when above procedures have not been followed. Sorta a 'hey stupid' stop filling device.

    And there is no air gap..there is a liquid level and vapor area---all propane.
    Bleeder valve, OPD and weight are ALL based on 80% liquid level
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2014
    The procedure is as the previous 2 posters state but What you have to be careful of is the places where you exchange tanks. Some are putting as little as 12 pounds in the tank.
  • jus2shy's avatar
    jus2shy
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2014
    The few times I've filled my BBQ propane tank, the dispenser actually had a gallon equivalent and they just wrote down how many gallons they dispensed and charged me for that.

    They also open up a vent screw and as soon as it starts constantly venting and I see a constant stream of propane-steam (best way I can describe it), then they shut it down and stop there. This way, they leave the little air gap that's required to allow the propane to gas-off and that's what goes to your appliances.
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2014
    The foolproof way is using the 'spitter' screw which is a dip tube to the 80% fill level. When it spits liquid, the bottle is filled to its safe level. Its the only trustworthy method of filling tanks on a MH, whose tanks that cannot be weighed, volumn unknown by size as is common with bottles.
    OPD valves, weigh scales, meters are only as good as the equipment and operators experience.
  • winniman's avatar
    winniman
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2014
    Any time I have gotten them filled, they have them on a scale. When the proper amount of weight gets in the tank, they stop. On the rv, I think they stop at 80 percent full.

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