Is propane NEEDED?

[David Tilston]

That looks kinda big for a 1#. Here is what Manchester sells for a 1# refillable:
Manchester Tank: 1# Refillable Cylinders

I have not been able to find anyone in Canada that will sell it.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Thanks for the benefit of the doubt, Sonny...I'm willing to go with that extra "I"

Francesca

That would have made it seem like I was trying to give you a hard time, rather than just making an observation.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

That looks kinda big for a 1#. Here is what Manchester sells for a 1# refillable:
Manchester Tank: 1# Refillable Cylinders

I have not been able to find anyone in Canada that will sell it.

If Tempheat was able to sell you a larger Manchester tank, could they not likely bring them in. I do like the idea of these. I tried the other method with the adapter for a regular propane bottle fitting, and though I could make it work to some degree, it definitely was not work the hassle.

I imagine they could be ordered from the US, as long as they were not filled for shipping, or is this a no go?

[Steve L.]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

That looks kinda big for a 1#. Here is what Manchester sells for a 1# refillable:
Manchester Tank: 1# Refillable Cylinders

I have not been able to find anyone in Canada that will sell it.

Reading elswhere I found that Manchester doesn't want them filled by the customer, but rather at a UHaul or other such station. So the fill mechanism is somewhat proprietary. I don't know why that stops them from offering it. I would expect it would be a little fussy to fill and barely worth it for the store.

From last year...
1 Dead, 1 Injured In Polk County Garage Explosion « CBS Minnesota

[David Tilston]

Manchester actually sells a fill hose that connects to the liquid line of a forklift tank, (the kind on my trailer) and another for a 420# bottle. It may be that they do not meet some Canadian regulation, so are not available here.
The contact number on the flyer goes to voice mail, and Manchester will not deal with individuals. They ask for an account number right off the bat.

[Steve Hammel]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

I went down the middle. Instead of two 20# bottles, I have one aluminum 33.5# forklift tank. I figure, if I need more, I could buy a 43.5# bottle.
Manchester Tank: Forklift & Buffer Cylinders

What is the weight as compared to a steel cylinder? Is it a huge savings? I've looked at the fiberglass ones but seem kind of expensive for only 33% less cylinder weight.

[David Tilston]

The weight is less then steel, but not much. A steel one would be just as good. It woud have most of the same advantages as an aluminum tank, like low profile, capacity, quick fill port, and fill gauge. I paid extra for aluminum mostly for the cool factor, because, one day I may shine it up to a mirror finish, but I have other priorities ahead of that.
It was not cheep at $240, plus $120 for the brackets that hold it, or a 43.5# bottle.

[Jim Bennett]

But, aluminum will not show rust on scuff marks, like steel tanks do. That would be a bit of a benefit.

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

But, aluminum will not show rust on scuff marks, like steel tanks do. That would be a bit of a benefit.

Yea, that's what I told my wife.

With the extra cost, you can be sure that when the time comes, I will pay to get it re certified. Baring a car crash, I don't think it will age much.

I just looked up the weight difference:
33.5# Steel tank: 36 lb
33.5# Aluminum tank: 24 lb
43.5# Steel tank: 44 lb
43.5# Aluminum tank: 25 lb

So the big benefit, weight wise is on the 43.5 tank.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

So do I- a one-gallon refillable! Ain't she cute?

Originally Posted by David Tilston

That looks kinda big for a 1#.

It is big for a one pound (1#) cylinder, because Francesca is showing a one gallon (4 litre, 5 pound) cylinder.

[Steve Hammel]

Sounds like the aluminum is similar to the fiberglass in the amount of weight savings. Thanks

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Steve Hammel

Sounds like the aluminum is similar to the fiberglass in the amount of weight savings. Thanks

David's numbers are great, but they are for forklift tanks, which a little differently proportioned and equipped than traditional RV/BBQ cylinders. Worthington Cylinders publishes spec charts linked to their pages for steel and aluminum portable cylinders, for anyone comparing weights. Another data source is needed for the fiberglass alternative.

For more data on more variations of forklift cylinders, there's the Manchester Tank Forklift & Buffer Cylinders page.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

I just looked up the weight difference:
33.5# Steel tank: 36 lb
33.5# Aluminum tank: 24 lb
43.5# Steel tank: 44 lb
43.5# Aluminum tank: 25 lb

So the big benefit, weight wise is on the 43.5 tank.

Yes, since these similar cylinders all carry the same set of fittings (fill, relief, and service valves) the bigger the cylinder the greater the proportion which is tank material, and so the more noticeable the weight difference due to material will be. Even the protective collar and foot ring penalize the small cylinder proportionately more than the big cylinder.

The Worthington Cylinder forklift cylinder specs show more weight difference with size on the aluminum units, and less difference with size in steel... the relationship makes more sense to me than Manchester's difference of only one pound of aluminum for the bigger unit.

[David Tilston]

I think I like the Worthington tanks better. They have a dedicated fill port. That way I can supply the trailer with the vapor port, fill 1 lb bottles with the liquid port, and fill at the gas station with the fill port. Best of all, they come shiny, instead of bead blasted.

Just for comparison, the Worthington numbers:
33.5# Steel tank: 34.5 lb
33.5# Aluminum tank: 22.9 lb
43.5# Steel tank: 40 lb
43.5# Aluminum tank: 27 lb

Steel
http://www.worthingtoncylinders.com/...lift.sflb.ashx
Aluminum
http://www.worthingtoncylinders.com/...lift.sflb.ashx

They are even available in Canada:
20# http://www.helmarparts.ca/product_p/4460a.htm
33.5# http://www.helmarparts.ca/product_p/5560a.htm
43.5# http://www.helmarparts.ca/product_p/6660a.htm

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

I think I like the Worthington tanks better. They have a dedicated fill port. That way I can supply the trailer with the vapor port, fill 1 lb bottles with the liquid port, and fill at the gas station with the fill port. Best of all, they come shiny, instead of bead blasted.

Some questions about the Worthington tanks the answers to which I can't discern from the site, especially as relates to the installed fittings:

-Are the tanks equipped with OPD's?

-Do they come from the factory with the RV-appropriate fittings to do the functions described in the quoted post?

Also:
Are they stamped with the date of manufacture for DOT purposes, and is recertification on the same schedule as for ordinary tanks?

Thanks!

Francesca

[David Tilston]

It is my understanding, (not sure) that they have the same re-certification schedule as steel tanks. The guy at the pump will probably think so as well.
They are stamped.
They have a built in 80% fill port, and an over pressure relief port.
The ones that I have linked to for Canadian pricing specify that they do not come with a vapor valve, (plugged) but it is not difficult to add a vapor valve, or get one added by a qualified propane service shop.
I am supprised at how light they are compared to fibreglass tanks. This fibreglass 25# tank weighs 19.9lb almost as much as the 33.5# aluminum tank, (22.9lb) and the aluminum tank comes with more hardware, like a level gauge.
http://www.litecylinder.com/Portals/...nserts_25H.pdf