Trade in or refill propane tanks

[mainah]

Originally Posted by jhorne05

We own a metal shop, the tank are in quite good condition, probably due to nice dual tank compartment on tongue of trailer. It just seems like such a difference in weight on the 2 tanks both empty, wondering if I can get them refilled, where I get my oxy , acetylene, argon refilled , I think the do lp too. I'm calling them now thank you. What part of Maine are you from, used to live in Winter Harbor my self in 70s

Near Fryeburg (Brownfield).

[mainah]

Originally Posted by FiveORacing

So what should I pay at today's rate for a 30 lb tank. I called one local place and they said a flat $30 and U-Haul down the street says $4.49 a gallon? The flat rate place take the bottle away and brings it back full, so you really don't know what they put in it.

That's about right 7.14 gallons. I did not think they would exchange 30# tanks I guess they bring your's back full? I still would like to know what they put in them they should take 30# full, you could all ways weight them just subtract the tare weight and it should come out to 30# Propane weights 4.2# per gallon.

[jhorne05]

My weld supply shop does refill, no exchange, thanks

[Gene]

Originally Posted by jhorne05

.. 30 gal lp tanks both empty, verified by valves open no gas , ...

Wth nothing connected to the tanks you will not get any gas comming out with the valve open.

Some interesting reading here: Understanding Propane Bottle Valves - Troubleshooting LP Gas Cylinder Connections

[jhorne05]

Thanks had totally spaced on connection activated valve, guess im getting long in the tooth

[mainah]

Originally Posted by Gene

Wth nothing connected to the tanks you will not get any gas comming out with the valve open.

Some interesting reading here: Understanding Propane Bottle Valves - Troubleshooting LP Gas Cylinder Connections

I would not say "all" particularly the 30# tanks many do not have the shut off feature including some 20# tanks. I maybe wrong but I think the acme (right hand plastic wheel) thread ones have the shut off. My 3 20# tanks have the shut off my 30# does not. All are OPD tanks

[jhorne05]

I'll be checking alot closer now

[FiveORacing]

So I took both 30 lb tanks to U-haul ($4.49 per actual gallon to fill) The first tank felt about half full, but it only took $12.00 to top off. The second tank was essentially empty, would not flow any gas to the trailer. It took 6.5 gallons, $29.18 to top off. It would have been $30 each at the flat rate place, so even the dead empty tank was less. I understand that price is pretty high per gallon and that it just went up quite a bit, but still not bad for the light use I'll need it for. On the way home I bought a scratch off lottery ticket and won $40, so not a bad trip!


On a side note, two different people filled the 2 tanks (one got called away) the first girl took a screwdriver and cracked a small bleeder valve on the side of the tanks valve, then tightened it slightly. When gas spewed out of the valve, she shut off the feed, then tightened the bleeder snug. The second girl did not open the bleeder but relied on the internal safety (opd) to stop the flow. There was a scale there, but neither girl used it. Not sure which method is the proper way.

[jhorne05]

Sounds like sunny days coming for your sunline

[jhorne05]

We filled 100 Lb tanks and we would crack the bleeder when steady stream out it was full, close valve, turn off the pump. Was just the way we were told to do. Found if didn't crack bleeder it was tough to tell without weighing tank to know percentage of fil that was achieved.

[mainah]

Most tanks will not fill if you do not open the bleeder. You might get a little bit in an empty tank but it instantly boils and the pressure is greater than the pump can produce.