Propane refill, OVERFILLED!

[BUTCH1]

So I went to a local RV/campground and had my 20lb tank refilled, it's only $16 and they don't short you like those "tank exchange" places do. Got it home and hooked it up to my propane heater and it started "surging" like mad, had a heck of a time shutting it off. Took it outside and hooked it up to the Weber figuring that will draw it down quickly on high, wrong, the regulator froze!. Finally I hooked it up to a 2-burner deal I got at a garage sale and it ran for 1/2 hr then back to the Weber where it's now low enough to not freeze up the regulator. 30 minutes of run time I brought it back and attached it to the heater and all is well. These tanks are supposed to have an "OPV" (overfill prevention valve) to prevent this from happening, I'm not sure if the one on this tank malfunctioned or the guy wasn't paying close attention, just an FYI this CAN happen.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Sounds like he didn't open the overflow valve when he filled it. Don't you watch when they fill the tank?

 

[dud]

Sounds like he didn't open the overflow valve when he filled it. Don't you watch when they fill the tank?

Isn't the overflow valve usually a spring-loaded screw that (during filling) is opened with a screwdriver before and then closed after?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Isn't the overflow valve usually a spring-loaded screw that (during filling) is opened with a screwdriver before and then closed after?

Yes,that is correct. If it wasn't opened, it's easy to overfill. That's why I always watch them fill my tanks. That may not have been the case here but, the OP hasn't answered.

 

[waffleironhead]

How much does/did your tank weigh? Curious how much it was overfilled.

 

[BUTCH1]

How much does/did your tank weigh? Curious how much it was overfilled.

Don't know, it's OK now, I did watch him but I'm not trained on re-filling tanks so it looked exactly like the last time to me. I plan on calling them tomorrow and letting the Manager know that his dude about caused a fire in my house.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

When a tank is filled, you'll see a steam like spray from the overflow relief valve which is then closed with a screwdriver. When that spray appears, the person filling the tank shuts the main valve before closing the overflow valve. You need to pay attention.

 

[waffleironhead]

Ive had my tanks refilled 100's of times over the years and have never seen anyone open the bleed screw on my 20lb tanks during the process. The place I take it to has a scale that shuts it off when it reaches weight.
Thanks magnusthebrewer! Learned something new to look out for and ask about when I get them refilled next.

 

[BUTCH1]

When a tank is filled, you'll see a steam like spray from the overflow relief valve which is then closed with a screwdriver. When that spray appears, the person filling the tank shuts the main valve before closing the overflow valve. You need to pay attention.

Your right, I do.

 

[NutBucket]

Ive had my tanks refilled 100's of times over the years and have never seen anyone open the bleed screw on my 20lb tanks during the process. The place I take it to has a scale that shuts it off when it reaches weight.
Thanks magnusthebrewer! Learned something new to look out for and ask about when I get them refilled next.

Problem is how do you know how much is in the tank to start? The scale is only to measure the amount of gas added.

 

[IronWing]

To prevent freezing, put the tank in a tub of water while running. Blacksmiths have to do this when cranking the forge up to plaid.

 

[waffleironhead]

Problem is how do you know how much is in the tank to start? The scale is only to measure the amount of gas added.

Well, I dont pull the tanks till they are empty. But the scale will show since the tare weight is on the side of the tank. 16-18lbs empty depending on the tank. 36-38lbs full.
Measure weight before adding, compare to tare weight, fill to tare+20.

 

[NutBucket]

Well, I dont pull the tanks till they are empty. But the scale will show since the tare weight is on the side of the tank. 16-18lbs empty depending on the tank. 36-38lbs full.
Measure weight before adding, compare to tare weight, fill to tare+20.

Huh. Never knew the empty weight was on marked on the tank.

 

[BUTCH1]

Well, I dont pull the tanks till they are empty. But the scale will show since the tare weight is on the side of the tank. 16-18lbs empty depending on the tank. 36-38lbs full.
Measure weight before adding, compare to tare weight, fill to tare+20.

I thought a 20lb tank can only be filled to 18lbs for the reason that it needs a little room to expand and turn into a gaseous state.

 

[waffleironhead]

Tanks are only filled to 80% of total capacity. A 20lb tank can hold about 24.25lbs if filled all the way. That extra 20% is your headroom.
You will notice that the math doesnt come out to exactly 20lbs. Thats why im surprised all the places dont use the bleed screw to make sure its full. Im guessing that the little extra isnt enough to a concern.

 

[BUTCH1]

So I went back to the same place today to get another tan re-filled, told the same guy what happened, he says "that's impossible, the OPD valve won't allow an overfill". So I told him how the tank caused 2 different devices to malfunction and it was usable AFTER I got some of the tank used up and he told me "you must have a defective tank then".

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

So I went back to the same place today to get another tan re-filled, told the same guy what happened, he says "that's impossible, the OPD valve won't allow an overfill". So I told him how the tank caused 2 different devices to malfunction and it was usable AFTER I got some of the tank used up and he told me "you must have a defective tank then".

That is incorrect. The opd valve doesn't instantaneously release too much gas, it slowly releases as the pressure increases. When the tank is filled, the liquid propane is cold, as it warms, the pressure increases and the relief valve allows gas to escape. Depending on outside temps, this could take a while. Bottom line, you need to refill your tanks somewhere where they know what they're doing and you STILL need to watch them do it.

 

[shortylickens]

Sounds like he didn't open the overflow valve when he filled it. Don't you watch when they fill the tank?

My local 7-11 just has tanks lying around. No way to tell how or when they were filled.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

My local 7-11 just has tanks lying around. No way to tell how or when they were filled.

First, you're paying too much. Second, the tanks sold for exchange are always under filled, that's why you think the price is reasonable.

 

[shortylickens]

First, you're paying too much. Second, the tanks sold for exchange are always under filled, that's why you think the price is reasonable.

Umm, I dont buy propane.
I never said what they cost.
I never said I was happy with the price.
I never said I knew I was getting a bargain.


Are you hella stoned?

 

[thestrangebrew1]

This is good information. I now know to A) Refill my tanks instead of exchange and B) watch them when refilling. I've always just exchanged them when needed but not after reading this thread.

 

[momeNt]

Umm, I dont buy propane.
I never said what they cost.
I never said I was happy with the price.
I never said I knew I was getting a bargain.


Are you hella stoned?

You don't brew weed. I think he's drunk.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Umm, I dont buy propane.
I never said what they cost.
I never said I was happy with the price.
I never said I knew I was getting a bargain.


Are you hella stoned?

All of which begs the question, wth are doing in this thread?

 

[Jerem]

So I went back to the same place today to get another tan re-filled, told the same guy what happened, he says "that's impossible, the OPD valve won't allow an overfill". So I told him how the tank caused 2 different devices to malfunction and it was usable AFTER I got some of the tank used up and he told me "you must have a defective tank then".

That is incorrect. The opd valve doesn't instantaneously release too much gas, it slowly releases as the pressure increases. When the tank is filled, the liquid propane is cold, as it warms, the pressure increases and the relief valve allows gas to escape. Depending on outside temps, this could take a while. Bottom line, you need to refill your tanks somewhere where they know what they're doing and you STILL need to watch them do it.

The OPD valve has a float that prevents overfilling by shutting off the flow. You are talking about an over pressure release valve. Two different things. Or are you saying an overfill prevention device that doesn't prevent overfilling is functioning correctly?


http://www.propane101.com/opdcylindervalves.htm