There is only one place nearby to get tanks filled on demand vs the swapping method.I think this place is cutting corners to rack up a bill but im not 100% and I cant find ANYTHING on the internet to justify how they fill.I was getting my RV tanks 30# filled. One was almost empty, the other I just wanted topped off.The guy hooked up the tank, (I made note of the gallon measurement to make sure I was billed correctly) and he OPENED the relief valve to let gas escape while he was filling it.I have NEVER seen this done. I did not want the tank purged, and I'm not sure if thats what he was doing.He decided at some point that the tank was filled, and swaped the tanks and did the same thing (opened relief valve while it was filling)The measured propane filled was 9.2. He was nice enough to round to 10 gallons and charge me for that.So.. #1 should the relief valve be opened why filling? (i think no)and #2 WHY would you fill with the relief valve opened? I would guess that about a gallon of gas was wasted because of the venting idea.. I could be way off, but I know for a fact he rounded 0.8 gallons up and charged me for it.I think I'll try to find a new place but... thoughts?

The method your filler was using, which is called "filling by volume," is one of two methods that are approved for safety. (The other method is called "filling by weight" and involves use of a scale, obviously.) Apart from the business about rounding up to 10 gals, it sounds pretty normal to me.http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=58:)Lynn

7 gal capacity each tank. Lots of operators use the vent to determine when full; easier than a scale. They just ripped you off for the rounding, the 9.2 included what vented (which was very little).

Every time I get my mh filled they open the valve. If they don't they could not fill them. The "empty" tank is filled with gas from the last time. This gas must go somewhere before the new liquid gas can come in. Same reason the fresh water tank has a vent. As water goes it the displaced air has to go somewhere.

OK! Thanks!I thought it was weird that they would vent gas through the relief the whole time it was filling. They have not done that before at this place.

My station fills tanks with a 5 gallon minimum. Since 20 pound tanks are closer to 4.5 gallons than 5, I always bring in more than one tank. I've also frequently brought in less than empty tanks to be topped off. The attendant simply writes down the gallons to the 1/10ths place on a ticket and I take it inside to pay.

Propane filling question | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

cbshoestring
Explorer II
May 19, 2015
We have several places around here, including a "gas Supply Company" that all charge a flat fee. Empty tank---tank at 80%, doesn't matter, they charge a flat fee based on the tank size.

I told one guy that many CG charge by what they actually put IN the tank.:S he said that was a stupid way to do business :h I don't go there any more :B
naturist
Nomad
May 19, 2015
Brand new tanks need filled that way to insure that they are purged of air. But there is no reason that I know of to fill used tanks that way. It does waste some propane. I do not have permanently mounted tanks, but around the farm I have a flock of 20, 30, and 40 pound tanks I use for various purposes, and the only times I've had a propane seller use that method at the store I get 99% of my propane from, it was on a new tank. I, too, always take in a number of tanks at once, since there is a price break if you buy more than 18 gallons at a pop.
Super_Dave
Explorer
May 19, 2015
My station fills tanks with a 5 gallon minimum. Since 20 pound tanks are closer to 4.5 gallons than 5, I always bring in more than one tank. I've also frequently brought in less than empty tanks to be topped off. The attendant simply writes down the gallons to the 1/10ths place on a ticket and I take it inside to pay.
Chandalen
Explorer
May 19, 2015
OK! Thanks!

I thought it was weird that they would vent gas through the relief the whole time it was filling. They have not done that before at this place.
wildtoad
Explorer II
May 19, 2015
Every time I get my mh filled they open the valve. If they don't they could not fill them. The "empty" tank is filled with gas from the last time. This gas must go somewhere before the new liquid gas can come in. Same reason the fresh water tank has a vent. As water goes it the displaced air has to go somewhere.
Ductape
Explorer
May 19, 2015
7 gal capacity each tank. Lots of operators use the vent to determine when full; easier than a scale. They just ripped you off for the rounding, the 9.2 included what vented (which was very little).
eubank
Explorer
May 19, 2015
The method your filler was using, which is called "filling by volume," is one of two methods that are approved for safety. (The other method is called "filling by weight" and involves use of a scale, obviously.) Apart from the business about rounding up to 10 gals, it sounds pretty normal to me.

http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=58
:)
Lynn

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Propane filling question

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