Forum Discussion

DAS26miles's avatar
DAS26miles
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2017

Can propane Extend-a-stay tank add to main tank?

I wonder if having a warmer extra tank would backfill into the main tank because of temperature difference and pressure if both valves were open? Would there be enough to matter?
My Class C has a smaller 12 gallon tank that gets used up fairly quickly with the furnace on. Since I installed the extend-a-stay , I try to use a 5 gallon tank to supplement and avoid using the main tank. I have had the main tank closed when using the smaller tank. I would assume that if both were open, the vapor would equalize and condense in the colder tank. Is this a small amount or could I actually add a good amount back into the main tank if it was much colder than the smaller 5 gallon tank?

16 Replies

  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    NO The Extend-A-Stay is designed to insure no propane transfers tank to tank.

    As well it should be.
  • Charts say my 5 gallon tank 80% filled at 70 degrees has a pressure of 95psi and the main tankat 50% at 50 degrees will be 46 psi. 50psi difference. That's vapor but should be the entire tank right?
  • Chris Bryant wrote:
    I actually refill through the outlet of the tank- I remove the regulator and use the POL there with the double headed hose- just two standard old style pigtails hooked together with an inverted flair coupler.

    With the cylinder above the tank you can hear the liquid flowing.

    Any photos?
    Since the Extend-A-Stay is already hooked up, can I just turn the tank up side down and open both valves?
    The Extend-A stay is between the tank and regulator.
  • I actually refill through the outlet of the tank- I remove the regulator and use the POL there with the double headed hose- just two standard old style pigtails hooked together with an inverted flair coupler.

    With the cylinder above the tank you can hear the liquid flowing.
  • Chris Bryant wrote:
    Nope- it takes liquid flow to really amount to anything. You can fill using a cylinder turned upside down and a double ended POL hose, but even that is slow.

    That's what I thought, it would be a slow condensing process. Just a pain to refill the main tank often.
    What's the double ended POL hose, does that connect to the main tank filler?
  • Nope- it takes liquid flow to really amount to anything. You can fill using a cylinder turned upside down and a double ended POL hose, but even that is slow.

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