Filling 20 lb propane tanks

Nimrod · #1 05/30/13, 07:50 PM

I am merely informing you that this is possible. I make no claim that this is safe. If you choose to do this, you do so at your own risk.

I finally got my bulk tank hooked up so I can fill tanks rated in pounds, anything from a 5 pound to a 100 pound tank. It fills the small tank with liquid propane. The advantage is that I paid $1.25 a gallon for the propane in the bulk tank whereas they charge $3.75 a gallon to fill the smaller tanks at the fill station. I filled the 20 pound tank for about $5 instead of the $18 they charge at the station.

joebill · #2 05/30/13, 09:24 PM

Been doing it for about 20 years. You need a "wet line" on your big tank so you can draw liquid from the bottom instead of gas from the top. newer tanks are not as good to refill as the older ones with the separate bleeder valves, and a good, hot day with lots of pressure in the big tank is a help......Joe

rancher1913 · #3 05/30/13, 09:34 PM

an old milk scale works good weigh them as you fill to know when to stop. the bleed screw works for that too but I always liked weighing them as well.

MichaelK! · #4 05/31/13, 08:32 AM

What I do not understand here is how the liquid is filled from the TOP of the tank? Does that valve have a straw that extends down to the bottum of the tank? Propane under pressure should be a liquid, and liquid only flow downwards with gravity unless it is pushed (ie:via a pump).

A wet leg at the bottum of the tank would allow the liquid to flow out. I use a similar stategy to refill my 1lb propane bottles with an upside down 20lb tank. In that case temperature induced vacumn pulls propane into the 1lb bottle.

So, how does anything besides propane gas come out the top?

BTW, I would be leery of an un-protected valve just sitting there exposed on the top of the tank. Suppose a big tree limb falls on it during a thunderstorm?

Nimrod · #5 05/31/13, 09:14 AM

I am merely informing you that this is possible. I make no claim that this is safe. If you choose to do this, you do so at your own risk.

Michale,
Yes, there is a dip tube that goes almost all the way to the bottom of the tank so liquid comes out the valve. It's the connection the propane companies use to empty a tank before moving it.

You don't need a pump. The pressure in the big tank forces the liquid propane into the small tank when you crack the bleeder valve on the new valves on the small tanks. The tank is full when propane spits out the bleeder valve. It takes a few minutes. The pump at the fill station is a bit faster. Weighing the tank is a good idea too.

The valve is only slightly less protected than the valve under the cover that you get the gaseous propane from for your house. If a big tree limb fell on either it could let all the propane out. This is not dangerous as long as there is no source of ignition. If lightning hit while the gas was escaping then please wave as you fly over in low earth orbit.

Joebill,
Thanks for telling me that you have been doing it for years. It makes me more comfortable that it's relatively safe if you are careful.

I am doing this because I save money but it also makes me a little less dependent on the propane companies because I have a reserve of propane that will last me for years if need be. I use the propane for the stove (not heat) and I fill the tanks for the ice fishing house, the camper, and the BBQ.

mekasmom · #6 05/31/13, 09:58 AM

They do it at the plant all the time. I have several 20lb tanks here that were filled from the big tank. I assume that is how the dealers themselves fill them, isn't it?

Old Vet · #7 05/31/13, 10:46 AM

On a wet leg there is a valve in it that if knocked off will stop the flow or most of it. If you were to have a large whole in the hose that is connected you will lose pressure and the valve will shut with only a little pressure it will open again.

unregistered353870 · #8 05/31/13, 01:14 PM

Might also want to figure out a way to lock that rig if you're not always around. I've heard of people stealing propane from home tanks when it's set up for it.

joebill · #9 05/31/13, 03:37 PM

It IS pretty safe if you are careful, but familiarity breeds contempt.

It's so common amongst locals that most of the ranchers have a rig that fits on a propane small tank for airing up tires with propane. THEN after a spell, they add the blowgun, which is real handy for getting dust out of your computer and stuff, AND THEN, one guy decided to blow out the clog in his sewer line. Filled the line with compressed propane, gave up, the stuff came back in a whoosh into the house when he took the blowgun off the connection, ignited and blew the trailer house and him all over the place. He survived, by the way, with a lot of injuries.

yeah, it's safe as long as you remember...... IT'S PROPANE!.....Joe

Nimrod · #10 05/31/13, 10:54 PM

Vet,
There is a valve built into the big tank. It's something like the valve on tires. The pressure keeps it closed. When you push on it, it opens. You open the valve by screwing the valve in picture 2 onto the tank. It does get the heart rate up when the propane is jetting out the connection while you are trying to tighten the valve down.

Joebill,
The burning question among your neighbors must be; If your parents get divorced, are they still brother and sister?