Anybody notice getting a 15lb LP bottle when swapping?

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by babock

For me, that cost is $15, you have to leave the tank and pick it up the next day and it's a 20 mile round trip. There go any savings. Might as well buy a new tank at that point.

For smaller tanks or larger tanks, it makes sense. Not for 20# tanks.

Had my 20# tank done at local Ferrellgas place. $25 to re-certify and fill ($15 for gas, $10 for cert). Did not have to leave it; took about 10 minutes.

[SLU2]

I only swap tanks when the expiration date is getting near. Otherwise I have them refilled...

[johnleann]

Originally Posted by UT_Grandpa

I only use the 15# folks when I have a tank that needs recertification and then I exchange to get a fresh inspection and refill afterwards at the local propane gas supply yard.

X2

[Mr Towed]

I posted this word for word on another thread but it's relevant. More to the topic of quality control than value and getting ripped off.

----

We ran into some cold weather on our way back north from Florida and our propane tank ran out in the middle of the night. "No problem, just switch to the second tank!" At least that's what I thought, a bit of a pain to get out of bed and go change a tank but we'd be back up and running in a few minutes, right? NOPE!
Our second tank was one of those Blue Rhino swap tanks and wouldn't ya know, its O-ring was all dry rotted so it would no seal at all, the second i cracked the valve it would just pour out propane! So, we got out the big blanket and toughed it out for the rest of the night (above freezing so more of an annoyance than anything dangerous)

We had that tank since the summer and it had been there as what I thought was a ready backup when, in fact, it was useless to us and potentially dangerous for someone who didn't notice the leaking (maybe in a loud environment, for instance) We weren't near a Blue Rhino dealer so we were forced to swap it for another swap tank and got our primary tank refilled at a nearby garden center.

I guess when the company fills the tank they will not notice the bad seal without a visual inspection because i think the fill seals on the internal threads while when we connect to the RV they we use the external threads and the probe seals against the O-ring.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by djh1956

Here’s the reason why your tanks are only filled to 80%. In UK most tanks have an internal auto shut-off valve.

https://www.paracogas.com/blog/80-pe...ank-never-full

Exactly, which 80% of the water/liquid capacity in the exchange cylinders we are discussing is equal to 20 pounds of propane.

It's all explained in the link from post #4 above.

Many people get lost/confused in the math there, and incorrectly think that it is supposed to be 80% of 20 pounds, which is wrong.

[Tabasco]

Most Ace Hardware will fill them and they fill to 20#

[Mr Towed]

Originally Posted by Tabasco

Most Ace Hardware will fill them and they fill to 20#

I assume this is a regional (or urban/suburban/rural) thing because that is not true at all around me.

Usually it's garden center type places or welding supply places around here (Long Island), whereas most Ace, True Value etc tend to be in a strip mall or shopping center where they won't have that space away from the building structure to have a tank and filling station. Even Home Depot, which tends to have property will usually have the swap cage near the rental department.

[CHICKDOE]

i have never seen a propane refill facility actually fill to 20# (20 lb tank) or 30# (30# tank). i am referring to filling by weight. instead they simply connect the fill hose, RESET THE GALLONS PUMPED METER, open the bleed valve, and pump until the bleed valve starts to spray. then they give you an invoice for the number of gallons pumped. no scale or weight reading anywhere. no use of water capacity or tare weight. the filling process is controlled by the float valve in the OPD valve. i wonder what would happen if it got stuck and didn't close? who knows if the required 80% expansion capacity actually exists?

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by CHICKDOE

i have never seen a propane refill facility actually fill to 20# (20 lb tank) or 30# (30# tank). i am referring to filling by weight. instead they simply connect the fill hose, RESET THE GALLONS PUMPED METER, open the bleed valve, and pump until the bleed valve starts to spray. then they give you an invoice for the number of gallons pumped. no scale or weight reading anywhere. no use of water capacity or tare weight. the filling process is controlled by the float valve in the OPD valve. i wonder what would happen if it got stuck and didn't close? who knows if the required 80% expansion capacity actually exists?

Both my places here fill by weight (tractor supply and an independent). They also open the bleed valve, so it's double checked for proper fill.

They meter it by the gallons for sale/price purposes but turn off the pump when the scales tip to full and the bleed valve spews, which should be right at the same point.

I'm going to get one refilled later this morning. I'll snap a pic of the scales.

[babock]

Originally Posted by CHICKDOE

i have never seen a propane refill facility actually fill to 20# (20 lb tank) or 30# (30# tank). i am referring to filling by weight. instead they simply connect the fill hose, RESET THE GALLONS PUMPED METER, open the bleed valve, and pump until the bleed valve starts to spray. then they give you an invoice for the number of gallons pumped. no scale or weight reading anywhere. no use of water capacity or tare weight. the filling process is controlled by the float valve in the OPD valve. i wonder what would happen if it got stuck and didn't close? who knows if the required 80% expansion capacity actually exists?

Every time my 20# tank get filled, it gets to 20#. In CA, even though you pay per gallon, they weigh the tank while they fill it so they don't go over the 20# plus tare weight of the tank.

[Ejs4029]

I bought a new 20lb tank at Tractor Supply for my BBQ it's a Manchester brand personally I think they are nicer since they have the HANDLE-EZ collar - the only collar with a built-in, formed handle with no sharp edges then other tanks for the same $$...That you may end up with in a swap...But hey what do I know

Not that it probably matters which tanks are any better..I just keep re-filling it at TSC for $2.39 per gallon I prefer to keep it and not lose it in a swap

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Both my places here fill by weight (tractor supply and an independent). They also open the bleed valve, so it's double checked for proper fill.

They meter it by the gallons for sale/price purposes but turn off the pump when the scales tip to full and the bleed valve spews, which should be right at the same point.

I'm going to get one refilled later this morning. I'll snap a pic of the scales.

Here is the pics I said I would provide above showing tractor supply scales when refilling propane DOT cylinders. I had two cylinders refilled.

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

O.K. - there is actually a reason that propane tanks are not completely full. From Amerigas:


The 80% fill rule is a preventative safety measure against the fluctuations that happen inside a tank. Propane, like water, will expand when heat is added to it. Propane, however, will increase in volume nearly 17 times greater than water over the same temperature increase. To allow for this expansion, propane containers are filled to only 80% of their capacity.


You are not getting fleeced since you buy it by the gallon or pound anyway. Just accept the reality that you get 16 gallons or so when you have a 20# tank filled. It does not matter since that's all you'll be charged for.

Did you read the thread?

[Indy500]

I always get my tanks refilled st uhaul

[Eidolon]

O.K. - there is actually a reason that propane tanks are not completely full. From Amerigas:


The 80% fill rule is a preventative safety measure against the fluctuations that happen inside a tank. Propane, like water, will expand when heat is added to it. Propane, however, will increase in volume nearly 17 times greater than water over the same temperature increase. To allow for this expansion, propane containers are filled to only 80% of their capacity.


You are not getting fleeced since you buy it by the gallon or pound anyway, assuming you are not just doing an exchange. It's 4.2 lb/gallon and the empty 20# cylinder is about 17# so a full (80%) cylinder will weigh about 37#.



The real issue is getting a full tank vs. a short fill from an exchange or paying more per gallon. I have been using a Big R and they post the per gallon price up front.

[Eidolon]

Yes, and there seems to be a bit of confusion as to just what any why fills differ.

[Mr Towed]

Originally Posted by aeblank

Did you read the thread?

Seriously. The only reason I am sticking with this is because if that is the last word then someone else will believe it and repeat it.

20 pounds IS 80% of the capacity!!

[imjustdave]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

O.K. - there is actually a reason that propane tanks are not completely full. From Amerigas:


The 80% fill rule is a preventative safety measure against the fluctuations that happen inside a tank. Propane, like water, will expand when heat is added to it. Propane, however, will increase in volume nearly 17 times greater than water over the same temperature increase. To allow for this expansion, propane containers are filled to only 80% of their capacity.


You are not getting fleeced since you buy it by the gallon or pound anyway. Just accept the reality that you get 16 gallons or so when you have a 20# tank filled. It does not matter since that's all you'll be charged for.

If your uneducated and go do a swap you assume your getting a full tank. "Customer shouldn't have to know a full tank = X " NOPE your only getting 15 lbs last time I looked in my area. What if they only had 5 lb inside? and sold it as 5lb tank. would that be ok?

Go buy one of those swap tanks, go to a refill place and have them fill it … now you have a tank at 80% of physical capacity or what I would call full, should be 20# worth of gas. There is a float inside that physically prevents you from filling it more. OBD valve Safety is built in already.

Either way if you know what your getting into and don't care about the cost then all is good. The other 90% of society has have no clue the cost they are paying, for a BBQ once a year recon it doesn't matter but for RVer in the winter who might need or use 10 20 30 or more gallons a year it adds up.


Rant off .. I recon this thread has been beaten up enough.... Happy trails everyone.

[Beachbourbon]

At some point we will all find our truth...

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by imjustdave

Either way if you know what your getting into and don't care about the cost then all is good. The other 90% of society has have no clue the cost they are paying, for a BBQ once a year recon it doesn't matter but for RVer in the winter who might need or use 10 20 30 or more gallons a year it adds up.

I camped four days just last week. I used 14 gallons. It was very cold...outside.

Bruce