Propane Cylinder Fill: Error?

The safety feature that prevents the unmitigated flow of gas when the cylinder valve is opened with nothing attached is separate from the OPD gizmo, though both are of course incorporated in an OPD valve. The excess flow prevention thingy existed before OPDs were required. I believe typically it's a little metal ball caged in the valve such that a sufficient flow will force it against the opening and prevent the flow of gas. There may well be other designs in use.

This is also what prevents the full contents of the cylinder from escaping if you get a major leak in the propane system, such as from a crash.

I do agree with the others that the refillers at the exchange place should close the operation valve when they're done. I'd be making a call to the exchange company to gripe about it, and quite possibly report it to the state fire marshal as well.

Get them filled at most any place.....U-Hauls, Tractor Supply, ACE Hardware, propane Vendors etc.

No drop off and come back....just take them and wait while they are filled.

Portable propane cylinders are good for 10 yrs (12 yrs) after MFG. Date then just need to have a simple 'Visual' Inspection done for re-certification....good for another 5 yrs

10 yrs vs 12 yrs-----
12 yrs was old DOT Requirement. It was changed to 10 yrs then halted and not fully implemented.

I realize the OPD is a safety device, but it seems it should not be depended on to be a shutoff instead of closing the valve. It's along the lines of don't depend on the OPD to stop the flow when filling the cylinders. The vendor is a rather large welding supply provider in the Phoenix metro area. They have a number of stores, but only one shop that certifies and refills the portable cylinders. They keep a few of each size in stock at the stores for retail sales. My options when I needed filled tanks were kinda slim. Drive 20 miles to drop them off, then go back in a couple days to pick them up. These guys were close and had them ready for a very reasonable price. And I already had purchased 2 new ones, and didn't want to repeat that.

my grill exchanges have always been shut but I have been called to help out a no flow situation from the valve being open. On a warm/hot day it takes some force to engage the valve with ACME if the valve has been left open.

like Lucy and Ethel candy conveyor, if ya can't keep up ya skip a step!

OPD Float stops liquid propane flow IN
Spring loaded shutoff valve prevents propane vapor flow OUT

Thank-goodness for it's safety design/features...even an idiot can fill them


Teenager filling those exchange cylinders has to have OPD open or they can't figure out why nothing goes in.....so they just leave the valves open.

The spring loaded shut off valve inside the OPD will not allow propane flow out if a ACME Nut is not attached.....center stub in ACME Nut pushes spring loaded valve open

No, no exchange cylinder should be open.