Propane Refills

Dutch_12078 wrote:

StirCrazy wrote:

joebedford wrote:
I usually get 20lbs in a 20lb cylinder (by weight). Not 20lbs less 20%.

are you filling an old tank with the old-style valve? If not, there is no way to get that much in it unless the place filling it is breaking the law. in a 20lbs cylinder, which are the same size they have always been, with the new valves and regulations they can only hold 16lbs or 3.89 gal. if a place is telling you they put 20lbs in or charges you for that, they are ripping you off or breaking the law filling the cylinders.

I'm a certified LP refiller and trainer. I've been filling LP tanks of various sizes for over 40 years.

My 20 LP cylinders when filled by opening the "spitter" (Fixed Liquid Level Gauge) until liquid flows weigh out at 20 lbs plus TW. My 30 lb cylinders at 30 lbs plus TW, and my 40 lb cylinder at 40 lbs plus TW. The 16 lbs you claim is incorrect. The LP capacity is 80% of the total water capacity of the cylinder, not 80% of the rated LP weight. A 20 lb rated cylinder holds 4.6 gallons of LP. A 30 lb rated cylinder holds 7 gallons of LP, and a 40 lb cylinder holds 9.4 gallons of LP. Actual total weights are a function of the LP weight plus the cylinder Tare Weight and minor variations due to ambient temperature differences.

There are some differences that density brings in. so,, while you can only fill to 80% of the capacity, due to the density, it in reality it is somewhere in between depending on the temperature. I was keeping it simple. so volume wise you can fill it to about 3.89 gal which is 16lbs but temprature if it is cold could make it weight more as the density is increased so you get a bit more propane in the same volume. it's the same as gas for your car, all volumes are calibrated at a specific temp. I remember the days we used to be able to fill to 100% and the tanks used to run the BBQ quite a bit linger haha.