Propane weight

noplace2 wrote:

mowermech wrote:
I still remember the difference between a "tank" and a "cylinder".

Seriously? You want to split THAT hair?

Well, actually, YES! IMO, such technical terminology is important, ESPECIALLY when one is attempting to convince complete strangers of one's qualifications, and that one should be taken completely seriously because of those qualifications.
Then to make a very simple mistake in basic terminology?
It does sort of cast doubt on the qualifications...

mowermech wrote:

wintersun wrote:
The OPD is designed to work for the orientation of the tank. Different versions are use for tanks that will be mounted vertically than for tanks that will be mounted horizontally. My tanks mount horizontally so the OPD is not going to release pressure if the tanks are overfilled at a pump while sitting upright.

I once had a truck camper that had 2 propane cylinders mounted horizontally. There was a sticker on the cylinders that stated the cylinder was to be USED in the horizontal position, but FILLED in the vertical position.

The OPD is not designed to release pressure. It is a float valve designed to stop the flow into the cylinder when the cylinder is 80% full.

X2 horizontal position has a tube that bent up 90 degrees toward the side of the tank.. allows gas to be drawn off from the highest point...

mowermech wrote:
I still remember the difference between a "tank" and a "cylinder".

Seriously? You want to split THAT hair?

wintersun wrote:
The OPD is designed to work for the orientation of the tank. Different versions are use for tanks that will be mounted vertically than for tanks that will be mounted horizontally. My tanks mount horizontally so the OPD is not going to release pressure if the tanks are overfilled at a pump while sitting upright.

I once had a truck camper that had 2 propane cylinders mounted horizontally. There was a sticker on the cylinders that stated the cylinder was to be USED in the horizontal position, but FILLED in the vertical position.

The OPD is not designed to release pressure. It is a float valve designed to stop the flow into the cylinder when the cylinder is 80% full.

original poster here... got the bathroom scale out, weighed the full tank... 54lbs... 24 lbs stamped on the tank... looks like I got 7.1 gallons of propane and paid for 7.8... must be tough times in the propane business... glad to know the tank isn't over filled... Happy Holidays.

The OPD is designed to work for the orientation of the tank. Different versions are use for tanks that will be mounted vertically than for tanks that will be mounted horizontally. My tanks mount horizontally so the OPD is not going to release pressure if the tanks are overfilled at a pump while sitting upright.

noplace2 wrote:
This is a no-brainer. Tell the filler to stop it at 7 gallons with an empty 30lb tank and make sure he/she isn't "venting" while filling. It is absolutely unnecessary. You might get a dirty look because a few of them are used to pumping significantly more while they're "venting" the tank. $$ in the bank not yours.

I'm certified to dispense propane in 11 states. I know of what I speak.

If you do not open the "80% valve", how do you know that the OPD hasn't malfunctioned and allowed you to put more in the cylinder than you should?
It has been many years since I was certified to dispense LOX, dry Nitrogen, and propane, but I still remember the difference between a "tank" and a "cylinder". I have an 80 gallon TANK sitting beside the house, and two 20 pound CYLINDERS on the deck for the grill.

mowermech wrote:
I don't know about the rules in other states, but here in Montana propane meters are required to be certified for accuracy by the State Weights and Measures division, just like gas and diesel pumps are. They are also required to be temperature compensated, so the ambient temperature does not effect the amount dispensed.
I haven't had a cylinder filled by weight in years. Every place I have had them filled has had a meter, and it is dispensed and billed by the gallon.
Most dispenser locations open the spitter valve (or 80% valve, or whatever you want to call it), and fill until liquid appears or the OPD shuts off, whichever occurs first. Ideally, that should happen simultaneously, but few cylinders are "ideal".
I usually have mine filled at V-1 Propane/Amerigas, and that is the way they do it.

I think most states are the same, some more often than other.

I don't know about the rules in other states, but here in Montana propane meters are required to be certified for accuracy by the State Weights and Measures division, just like gas and diesel pumps are. They are also required to be temperature compensated, so the ambient temperature does not effect the amount dispensed.
I haven't had a cylinder filled by weight in years. Every place I have had them filled has had a meter, and it is dispensed and billed by the gallon.
Most dispenser locations open the spitter valve (or 80% valve, or whatever you want to call it), and fill until liquid appears or the OPD shuts off, whichever occurs first. Ideally, that should happen simultaneously, but few cylinders are "ideal".
I usually have mine filled at V-1 Propane/Amerigas, and that is the way they do it.

kimbo1 wrote:
how cold was it when you filled the tank, it does make a difference!

Probably right at 32 degrees... don't know exactly..