When and where to fill onboard propane

[pasusan]

With our class B we have onboard propane instead of removable cylinders and need info on when and where to get it filled.

Can you get it filled no matter how much you have left, or does it need to be empty?

And... can the same gas station that fills our cylinders fill the onboard tank or does it take special equipment/knowledgeable people?

[pasusan]

Thanks again to everyone. We'll make sure everything is off and the tank valve is shut. 🙂

[JaxDad]

Wa8yxm, you are of course (partly, LOL) correct, I had blood in my caffeine stream. I meant to say there's a blend in SUMMER in northern climes.

[wa8yxm]

Jax you have your north and south confused.

Butane, which has a boiling point of about the freezing point of water. and which is much CHEAPER than propane, which has a boiling point near the C/F cross over point of -40 (I just a degree or two off) is often sold in the SOUTH where temps do not often drop below freezing.. NOT in the north where it will be freezing very very soon. I'll be filling up next month in Flint. Mi most likely.. OPTIONAL fill point is also in MI.

[Tal_IL]

It might seem odd, but the local Menard's is far more convenient for me to fill up than my local propane dealer. At Menard's, I just pull in the lot next to the propane station and someone comes out to fill me up, pay at the pump and I'm on my way. My local propane dealer I have to schedule it because they don't always have staff on hand that can run the equipment.

[Old-Biscuit]

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
Don't forget safety during filling. The propane person should ask, but I find that they do not. It is your responsibility. Be sure that no pilot lights are on and no igniters can spark. I do this by turning off the refrigerator and by turning off the coach batteries at the disconnect switch.

If they have been properly trained THEY close the service valve at tank PRIOR to connecting fill hose (or flip the solenoid remote switch OFF)



Innards of propane ASME tank. Might be in different locations but ASME Tanks will have same components
Left to Right
Far left----Level indicator gauge float/magnet assembly
Next -------Relief Valve & Stand Pipe. Top set above 80% liquid level so it is in vapor zone
Middle------Fill Connection with OPD Float Assembly. ASME Tanks had OPDs before portable cylinders
Next--------Liquid Level 'Bleed Valve' Top set AT 80% liquid level (FULL Fill)
Far right---Service/Vapor Valve & Stand Pipe. Top set same as Relief Valve, above liquid level in vapor zone

[kmbelt]

I always wondered how they were filled also until last weekend. I went to have my 20lb tank filled for my grill and in front of me was a nice Class-B. He backed it in and they guy hooked the propane filling hose up. Measured until it was at 14.5 gallons filled and turned it off. unhooked and that was it.

This was at my local Tractor Supply. Wasn't a bad price either. $2.49/gal.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Butane is some what of a bargain if you are not in the North. It offers more btu's per pound than Propane.

If in a pinch you can warm the tank with a heating pad. I would not do it as a mater of course--but I do have a tiny magnetic block heater (120 volt) that I can use. I have camped at -37 C (-34 f).

[Tiger4x4RV]

Don't forget safety during filling. The propane person should ask, but I find that they do not. It is your responsibility. Be sure that no pilot lights are on and no igniters can spark. I do this by turning off the refrigerator and by turning off the coach batteries at the disconnect switch.

[Fulltimer50]

pasusan wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

jplante4 wrote:
Remember that they only fill the tank to about 80% to allow for expansion.

If they fill it properly, they'll fill it until liquid instead of gas flows out of the fixed liquid level gauge, sometimes erroneously called a "vent". And yes, that occurs at the 80% liquid level. The OPD (Overfill Prevention Device) valve may shut off the fill slightly before or at about the same time that the gauge spits liquid.

Do onboard tanks have the OPD valve?

Yes

[pasusan]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

jplante4 wrote:
Remember that they only fill the tank to about 80% to allow for expansion.

If they fill it properly, they'll fill it until liquid instead of gas flows out of the fixed liquid level gauge, sometimes erroneously called a "vent". And yes, that occurs at the 80% liquid level. The OPD (Overfill Prevention Device) valve may shut off the fill slightly before or at about the same time that the gauge spits liquid.

Do onboard tanks have the OPD valve?

[JaxDad]

As to the 'when' part of your question, bear in mind that not all propane really is "propane". I say 'when' because in the northern areas of North America you often get a blend (in varying ratios) of propane and butane. More butane in the summer, less in the winter.

Sometimes you find nearly straight butane, this is very common in the southern US

This is why most place call it "LPG" (liquid petroleum gas) and not "propane".

This is important because the boiling point (the reason there's gas not just liquid in the tank) of butane is a LOT higher than that of propane. At anything warmer than -44 F. propane is boiling, therefore making vapour.

Butane however stops boiling at about 32 F. so if you are camping somewhere that the temp drops below freezing and you have butane in your tank, you too will be freezing, no heat, no cooking, no hot water.

The trick is to fill your tank, whenever possible, in cold season.

[Dutch_12078]

jplante4 wrote:
Remember that they only fill the tank to about 80% to allow for expansion.

If they fill it properly, they'll fill it until liquid instead of gas flows out of the fixed liquid level gauge, sometimes erroneously called a "vent". And yes, that occurs at the 80% liquid level. The OPD (Overfill Prevention Device) valve may shut off the fill slightly before or at about the same time that the gauge spits liquid.

[jplante4]

Remember that they only fill the tank to about 80% to allow for expansion.

[pasusan]

Thanks very much for the responses. Y'all helped me understand how it works and I feel a lot better about it...

I called the station we usually go to and they said yes they have the fitting and it shuts off automatically when full. We just have to go when there are at least 2 people on duty - between 10 and 2. 🙂