Dumb Propane tank question

[yankeeslover]

sorry about the dumb question. my TT is up to my seasonal camp.. it came with two normal size tanks which im assuming are 5lb tanks.. my one tank is almost empty... the campground charges almost $20.00 to fill it.. back at my house my local store charges $10.00 to fill. I will be going up to camp tonight, are these tanks the same as your normal bbq tanks? i have one on my BBQ at home that i can have filled at my local store and take it up to camp with us and just swap them.. and i will take the one from camper and put on my home bbq... I just want to make sure they are interchangable?
Of course it might be worth the extra $10.00 to have it filled at camp so i dont have to travel 2 hours with a filled propane tank in back seat...might be dangerious...thats another story though for another day..thank you..

[JJBIRISH]

Jframpey wrote:

krobbe wrote:

JJBIRISH wrote:

poncho62 wrote:
Around here these days, the propane exchange cylinders are a bit cheaper....Dont ask me why, but it is.

Exchanges should be cheaper they short change you and don’t fill them to their capacity…

Those propane exchanges are a ripoff!
They only fill their 20lb tanks with 15lbs. They started doing this when propane prices were high. Did they revert back to fully filling the tanks when the price came back down? Heck No! I don't support these criminals. I support my local businesses that will refill my tanks at market prices.

They started doing this after a rash of "venting" incidents. It gets exciting when you have 20 full cylinders sitting in front of your store in the sun on August on a 99 degree day. After a couple of incidents where the local fire department forced entry into the racks to remove venting cylinders, they reduced the fill levels to a "safer" level. It didn't hurt that they saved a gallon of propane!

And they will vent excess pressure when filled (like they are designed to do)… keep that in mind when transporting them inside the cab of a SUV or trunk of a car…

It is never a great idea to fill them before traveling to destinations of distance where the climate is different either, like going from a colder climate to a warmer one… or going from a warmer one in some parts of the county to a colder climate… due to expansion and pressure rise, or different LP formulas (higher butane amounts) respectively…

It is far better to fill them where they will be used…

[Jframpey]

krobbe wrote:

JJBIRISH wrote:

poncho62 wrote:
Around here these days, the propane exchange cylinders are a bit cheaper....Dont ask me why, but it is.

Exchanges should be cheaper they short change you and don’t fill them to their capacity…

Those propane exchanges are a ripoff!
They only fill their 20lb tanks with 15lbs. They started doing this when propane prices were high. Did they revert back to fully filling the tanks when the price came back down? Heck No! I don't support these criminals. I support my local businesses that will refill my tanks at market prices.

They started doing this after a rash of "venting" incidents. It gets exciting when you have 20 full cylinders sitting in front of your store in the sun on August on a 99 degree day. After a couple of incidents where the local fire department forced entry into the racks to remove venting cylinders, they reduced the fill levels to a "safer" level. It didn't hurt that they saved a gallon of propane!

[Farm_Camp]

One thing is 100% obvious. Somebody needs to close down their browsers, go fill their tank, bottle, cylinders, gas holding thingies, whatever, and go camping... Stat!

😉

[Mr__C]

krobbe wrote:

JJBIRISH wrote:

poncho62 wrote:
Around here these days, the propane exchange cylinders are a bit cheaper....Dont ask me why, but it is.

Exchanges should be cheaper they short change you and don’t fill them to their capacity…

Those propane exchanges are a ripoff!
They only fill their 20lb tanks with 15lbs. They started doing this when propane prices were high. Did they revert back to fully filling the tanks when the price came back down? Heck No! I don't support these criminals. I support my local businesses that will refill my tanks at market prices.

I wouldn't call the propane cylinder exchange guys criminals. The label they put on the cylinder says 15 lbs. The price may be a rip-off, but you are getting just what they say they are giving. You are paying for the convenience and a shiny "new" tank.

[krobbe]

JJBIRISH wrote:

poncho62 wrote:
Around here these days, the propane exchange cylinders are a bit cheaper....Dont ask me why, but it is.

Exchanges should be cheaper they short change you and don’t fill them to their capacity…

Those propane exchanges are a ripoff!
They only fill their 20lb tanks with 15lbs. They started doing this when propane prices were high. Did they revert back to fully filling the tanks when the price came back down? Heck No! I don't support these criminals. I support my local businesses that will refill my tanks at market prices.

[JJBIRISH]

Awe what the heck… :B



U.S. DOT specification cylinders used to transport LP-gas in commerce must be requalified 12
years after their original test date, and every 5, 7, or 12 years thereafter, depending on the method
used for the last requalification.

Applies to:
The regulations apply to all cylinders used to transport LP-gas in commerce and persons who fill
cylinders or who must be registered with U.S. Department of Transportation to requalify
specification cylinders.

read it here

Propane Cylinders
Propane cylinders, also called bottles, vary in size, shape, and capacity. Most people that grill with propane use the smaller, five gallon propane bottles. Forklift operators use a propane cylinder designed specifically for forklift use. Shown below are the most common and widely used propane cylinders that we keep in stock for residential and commercial applications. We provide cylinder services for propane cylinder users.


cylinders or bottles

[jaycocreek]

I should have done it this way as I was only replying to Old Biscuits last comment below.Now it's not petty because as you see this licensed DOT propane agent re certifies propane tanks.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Your propane cylinder will need recertified 12 yrs after date of mfg.

A propane tank doesn't.

That's why the difference.

Education is a great thing.....

Ted Johnson Propane is a licensed DOT propane tank recertifying agent. We perform a full tank inspection which is included in the tank recertifying process.


Here is a description of what we do for you:
Check the tank date of manufacture
Check the tank for leaks
Check to make sure the tank has the required decals
Check the valve guard
Check the foot-ring
Check for dents & gouges
Check for rust
Replace the relief valve – This valve is set to release any excess pressure in the propane tank. The valve is equipped with a protective cap to keep the valve clean from water and debris. The relief valve must be replaced within 12 years of the date of manufacture of the container and every 10 years thereafter. See NFPA 58 Sec 2-3.2.5.

[Old-Biscuit]

Nice try...but you should read what that Ted Johnson Propane Recertification is for.......it isn't for portable propane cylinders. It is for fork lift propane tank recertification as outlined in NFPA 58 (section you referenced and the one Ted Johnson Propane referenced.
2-3.2.5
All cylinders used in industrial truck service (including forklift truck cylinders) shall have the cylinder's pressure relief valve replaced by a new or unused valve within 12 years of the date of manufacture of the cylinders and every 10 years thereafter
Ted Johnson Propane Safety Guide........LINK

The following section from NFPA 58 pertains to portable cylinders (no relief valve testing/replacement required)
C-3.2.1
DOT rules prohibit cylinders from being refilled, continued in service, or transported unless they are properly qualified or requalified for LP-Gas service in accordance with DOT regulations.
C-3.2.4
DOT regulations permit three alternative methods of requalification for most commonly used LP-Gas cylinders.
(c) The recorded visual examination is permitted to be used to requalify cylinders for five years before the next qualification is due provided the cylinder has been used exclusively for LP-Gas commercially free of corroding components.

Cylinders........portable containers
Tanks......permanently mounted

[TucsonJim]

Jeez. Some people need to get a life and stop trolling this forum with petty comments everyday.

[mhardin]

[jaycocreek]

Just one more example...

And I quote:

Ted Johnson Propane is a licensed DOT propane tank recertifying agent. We perform a full tank inspection which is included in the tank recertifying process.


Here is a description of what we do for you:
Check the tank date of manufacture
Check the tank for leaks
Check to make sure the tank has the required decals
Check the valve guard
Check the foot-ring
Check for dents & gouges
Check for rust
Replace the relief valve – This valve is set to release any excess pressure in the propane tank. The valve is equipped with a protective cap to keep the valve clean from water and debris. The relief valve must be replaced within 12 years of the date of manufacture of the container and every 10 years thereafter. See NFPA 58 Sec 2-3.2.5.

[wannavolunteerF]

are you sure they are the same size? My TT has 30lb cylinders and my grill has a 20lb cylinder. That could explain the difference, or it could just be the convenience and location to explain the difference. Even if they are different sizes, the connections are the same, just a shorter "bottle". I have used the smaller one when I ran out of gas in the larger one... didn't realize it was almost empty when I left home. Thank goodness I carry smaller one for grill, stove, lantern, etc.

[Old-Biscuit]

Your propane cylinder will need recertified 12 yrs after date of mfg.

A propane tank doesn't.

That's why the difference.

Education is a great thing.....

[azrving]

What was it that he wanted to know? 🙂