Propane - when is a fill a true fill

[RoamingGnomes]

Over the years (12) I have had my propane tanks filled using two methods to determine when the tank is full, by weight using a scale and the second filling until propane escapes from a bleeder valve. When I picked up the tanks after filling I noticed that when they were filled using the bleeder valve method the tanks were heavier & lasted longer. I know which filling method I prefer, but is there a correct method? I have never had any problems using the tanks filled by either method.
Skeptics might doubt about the ability to feel the difference but over time you learn to notice differences visually and physically and although I have never weighted the tanks when filled by the bleeder method the weight feels about 2 pounds heavier. All I know they last longer.

[Dutch_12078]

Last year I had a 20 lb BBQ cylinder filled at a dealer that had a spring mounted hook that held the hose up while filling by weight. That's the first and only time I've seen that setup.

[noplace2]

Robin1953 wrote:
Here in GA at the park I am in now charges a flat rate based on the size of the tank. It is $25.23 for a 30# tank.

In case you haven't calculated it, you're paying $3.60/gallon, about 90 cents more than are we here in N FL.

[noplace2]

Make sure that your tank/cylinder is empty. In this example (30lb.), tell them that you want exactly 7.0 gallons and tell them not to vent the cylinder. If they balk at that, go elsewhere. I'm certified to dispense propane in 11 states and that "venting" procedure only increases revenue to the dispenser. It is absolutely unnecessary.

[Robin1953]

2oldman wrote:

HappyKayakers wrote:
It's been my observation that not all propane dispensers are trained equally. Some may use a 'standard' weight for your cylinder instead of actually looking at the tare weight stamped on the collar, then adding for the weight of the nozzle and unsupported hose.

Up north and west it's done by gallons.

Most dealers in WV charge a flat rate for filling a tank. In texas most charged by the gallon. Here in GA at the park I am in now charges a flat rate based on the size of the tank. It is $25.23 for a 30# tank.

[Robin1953]

midnightsadie wrote:
I,ve been told if the tank isn,t being bled off during fill ?it ain,t being done right.

That was pretty much the standard practice before the OPD valve. This in theory prevented overfilling the tank.

[Robin1953]

HappyKayakers wrote:
It's been my observation that not all propane dispensers are trained equally. Some may use a 'standard' weight for your cylinder instead of actually looking at the tare weight stamped on the collar, then adding for the weight of the nozzle and unsupported hose.

In all the years that I have been having propane tanks filled, since 1984, I have encountered exactly one dealer that actually read the tare weight on the tank and accounted for the nozzle/hose. That was a small operation in Lufkin Texas.

[mowermech]

Ideally, the OPD should stop the flow of liquid into the cylinder at exactly the same time as the 80% valve (bleeder valve, spitter valve, etc.) shows liquid propane.
Very few cylinders are "ideal".
I have three cylinders of two different sizes. One of them meets the "ideal", the other two don't.

[rhagfo]

downtheroad wrote:
Ours have always been filled by the "bleeder valve" method. When the bleeder starts spewing, they shut off the fill and charge me by the gallon and tenth of a gallon as indicated on the meter. (example: 4.2 gallons @ $2.49 per gallon = $10.46)

Simple enough and works for me.

I think this is the standard in the NW, I have had 7.1 gallons put into an empty tank. I will typically top off the tanks after a trip of more than a couple days, and we only get charged for the amount dispensed.

[Chris_Bryant]

I bet they go by the simple tare plus capacity, and don't allow for the weight of the hose and filler- probably around..... 2 pounds.

[Old-Biscuit]

Refilling propane 'vessels'......

Cylinders
By weight......weight of cylinder as stamped on collar PLUS weight of propane (20#, 30#, 40#)
By bleeder valve.....dip tube on bleeder valve is set at 80% level. When liquid spurts out...done
By OPD......should never be only method used. It should be checked when filling by weight and/or bleeder valve. AT 80% OPD should close and not allow any more propane flow.

Tanks
Can't be weighed....fixed
Shouldn't rely on OPD only
Bleeder valve...when it spurts liquid...done

[Ron3rd]

beemerphile1 wrote:

Ron3rd wrote:
...every propane tank I have ever had filled over the last 35 years, whether BBQ tank, RV tank, or whatever, has been filled by opening the bleeder valve and shutting the propane off when the gas starts shooting out....

When liquid spurts out is full. Gas starts coming out the instant it is opened.

You got me on that one. That's what I meant, when liquid spurt out.

[beemerphile1]

Ron3rd wrote:
...every propane tank I have ever had filled over the last 35 years, whether BBQ tank, RV tank, or whatever, has been filled by opening the bleeder valve and shutting the propane off when the gas starts shooting out....

When liquid spurts out is full. Gas starts coming out the instant it is opened.

[Ron3rd]

midnightsadie wrote:
I,ve been told if the tank isn,t being bled off during fill ?it ain,t being done right.

I'm no expert on this and don't know the true answer, but every propane tank I have ever had filled over the last 35 years, whether BBQ tank, RV tank, or whatever, has been filled by opening the bleeder valve and shutting the propane off when the gas starts shooting out. Didn't know there was any other way.

[2oldman]

HappyKayakers wrote:
It's been my observation that not all propane dispensers are trained equally. Some may use a 'standard' weight for your cylinder instead of actually looking at the tare weight stamped on the collar, then adding for the weight of the nozzle and unsupported hose.

Up north and west it's done by gallons.

[downtheroad]

Ours have always been filled by the "bleeder valve" method. When the bleeder starts spewing, they shut off the fill and charge me by the gallon and tenth of a gallon as indicated on the meter. (example: 4.2 gallons @ $2.49 per gallon = $10.46)

Simple enough and works for me.