I thank my lucky stars that I rarely have to contend with this situation. We have a liquid withdrawl hose on our own 1000 gal tank. So we fill all of our smaller tanks for large quantity bulk prices.
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I always thought the tank swaps were a ripoff, along the pre-set refill price where they charge you for a full bottle, regardless of how much they put in.
If it ain't got a gallon meter, I won't be filling it there, I have two 20lb horizontal bottles that will only take a max of 3.7gallons each and one stationary 100lb tank I use when I'm not traveling. When the 100lber runs out, I shop around for whose got the better price, and take the tank there. Where I'm currently residing its $2.75-3.99 a gallon, down near where my folks live, its $1.98-2.20 a gallon.
When I go to visit, if the big tank has run out, I just strap in the bed of the truck and haul it down and fill it there. Since it hasn't run out yet (Got it back in late April, early May) haven't had to do that yet, but I filled it up down near where I bought it at since it was a 0.65 a gallon difference from the cheapest rate available near where my camper was. A 100lb tank holds around 25 odd gallons, so I saved nearly $20 bucks filling it there vs where I was living.
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johnrbd wrote: A few yrs ago I refilled both tanks from my 5vr at local propane co. during my lunch hr and placed them under the 5vr bedroom. We I got home 4 hrs later, both were venting (it was 96 degree and they were in the sun).
I have to wonder if they were properly filled, or overfilled? The new valves are supposed to prevent overfilling. Also, were the tanks white, or some other color? A darker color would absorb more heat from the sun.
Ken
Ken
Based on all I have read,
The new valves are meant to aid in the prevention of overfilling, but are NOT to be used as a means for proper filling… they can stick or the tank may not be level when filling…
The proper way to fill remains the same… in the east weighing is a popular way, and in the west metering is the most popular way… either way works and both require opening the dip tube that starts spitting when it reaches 80%…
The fixed rate if weighing is usually fine as most are only brought in empty… it does favor them somewhat, but unless the state bureau of weights and measures or some independent company certifies the meters they can short change you also…
Another problem is both the weight and volume is measured at a set temperature but it is sold everywhere in a uncontrolled environment making accurate measurements with either method questionable…
A bottle filled on a cold day in PA that travels overnight to FL with a 50* to 60* ambient temperature change could have been filled properly and end up overfilled… the 80% fill capacity should be enough to absorb normal fluctuations, but there could be occasions where venting off becomes necessary… tank storage should always be in ventilated spaces to prevent heat build-up and to vent any accidental leakage…
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My tanks are white and had the new valves installed. I think, just too much heat hitting the tanks, I hadn't planned ahead to keep them in the shade until I got home.
I have my forklift propane tank exposed to the sun at 105 F and it never vents.
From my memory propane tanks hold 20% of tank volume for vapor expansion.
I think it was Myth Busters dropping propane tanks in the fire and they couldn't get them to blow up?
What finally working was one of the guns.... the one that penetrate tanks armor.
Bottom line -properly filled propane tanks are very safe.
Than we do have the human factor.
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I believe the expansion that you see in a propane tank due to a temperature increase, is in the vapor pressure and NOT the liquid level.
Blue Rhino is not "short filling" tanks to increase public safety. The safety factor is already in the 80% fill procedure. Anything less than 80% is a ripoff.
Deen wrote: ...Dear XXX XXX,
Thank you for your recent inquiry to Blue Rhino. We fill the tanks to 15 pounds of propane. You will see this information listed on the front sleeve of every tank....
That's like filling a gallon paint can with 96 ounces (less tint volume) then saying, "read the label" when they get caught. Some containers have implied specific volumes or weights, just like paint and propane.
I wonder what size type is used on Blue Rhino's tanks to indicate their contents. "Fine print" maybe?
This is the same kind of business ethics that damaged our economic system. "Buyer beware" should be coupled with "Business be honest".
JJBIRISH wrote: A properly filled tank shouldn’t become over pressurized, but I think they could if filled in a very cold area and are then transported to a very hot area…
It is never a good idea to transport them in a non-vented basement compartment to begin with incase any type of leak would develop
Stations should never depend solely on the opd to prevent overfilling but should also use the dip tube and either a scale or meter as well…
I agree with you fully, and I also agree with the statement that the reason for the short fill is to deceive the customer. It is happening all over though, not just Blue Rino.
However,,, I have a question for you.
If we choose to carry a spare tank for our propane grill.. Where do we stuff it?
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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