|
|
12-20-2005, 03:13 PM
|
#21
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Boler (B1700RGH) 1979
Posts: 5,002
|
Didn't find anything on ODP valves, so I'm guessing you mean OPD, Nick. According to everything I've read on these Overfill Protection Devices, they are a backup safety measure, not a substitute for monitoring the weight of the cylinder. I'm referring to web sites such as that of the Propane Education & Research Council, which says
Perhaps Frederick's KOA is depending on the OPD, but that doesn't sound like a good idea to me; maybe I still don't understand what they are doing or what an OPD is for.
Donna, I don't see how a propane fill nozzle can shut off automaticallly (like a gasoline pump nozzle does), since the tank is supposed to have about 20% empty space left; could your station be depending on the OPD in the tank as well?
__________________
1979 Boler B1700RGH, pulled by 2004 Toyota Sienna LE 2WD
Information is good. Lack of information is not so good, but misinformation is much worse. Check facts, and apply common sense liberally.
STATUS: No longer active in forum.
|
|
|
12-20-2005, 03:16 PM
|
#22
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Boler (B1700RGH) 1979
Posts: 5,002
|
Darwin, I realize that in many places the "new" OPD is required, but my understanding is that this is a backup safety device, not a way to normally determine when to stop filling. By the way, the OPD is not required here in Alberta, and new tanks are readily available without one.
__________________
1979 Boler B1700RGH, pulled by 2004 Toyota Sienna LE 2WD
Information is good. Lack of information is not so good, but misinformation is much worse. Check facts, and apply common sense liberally.
STATUS: No longer active in forum.
|
|
|
12-20-2005, 04:36 PM
|
#23
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,711
|
Quote:
Darwin, I realize that in many places the "new" OPD is required, but my understanding is that this is a backup safety device, not a way to normally determine when to stop filling. By the way, the OPD is not required here in Alberta, and new tanks are readily available without one.
|
The OPD is a law enacted for consumer protection in the United States by the National Fire Protection Association...look out, from what I understand it's coming to Canada shortly (CMA). [b]OPD stands for [b]Overfilling [b]Protection [b]Device...it will NOT allow a propane tank to be overfilled.
This is from the National Fire Protection Association's website:
Quote:
Which cylinders must have an overfilling prevention device (OPD)? When must they be installed?
The OPD, a new safety device required in the 1998 edition of NFPA 58 must be installed in all cylinders of 4 – 40 pounds propane capacity. The OPD must be installed in all new cylinders manufactured after September 30, 1998. Other cylinders must have an OPD installed when the cylinder is requalified. Cylinders requiring an OPD can not be filled until one is installed, but the can continue to be used until empty. Refer to 2-3.1.5 for the complete requirements
|
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
|
|
|
12-20-2005, 05:30 PM
|
#24
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Former Casita 17 ft owner
Posts: 1,498
|
Quote:
Frederick, I can believe that a 20-lb tank holds about five gallons, but I don't understand how that KOA can fill a portable cylinder without using a scale: how do they know when it is correctly filled, if they don't know how much space was in the tank? It's not like a fixed tank on a vehicle with the various fittings to manage filling. Maybe I've misunderstood something here...
I'm all for being charged just for what I get, but it seems to me like that means using a scale and charging by weight added.
|
Brian B-P,
The way it works here is that the [b]80% bleed valve is opened during filling, when it starts to vent liquid instead of gas, the tank is full (to 80%). The pump usually has a meter measuring gallons dispensed. Some places without the meter still use a platform balance scale.
I went to one place where the person did not open the [b]80% bleed valve, he depended on the OPD valve. That's not good practice because the bottle can be overpressurized.
Some or none of this may apply in Canada or in any particular province.
|
|
|
12-20-2005, 05:50 PM
|
#25
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 25 ft / Dodge 3500HD 4X4 Jake Brake
Posts: 7,316
|
Thanks Morgan. Very well said.
|
|
|
12-20-2005, 06:06 PM
|
#26
|
Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
|
Quote:
Brian B-P,
The way it works here is that the [b]80% bleed valve is opened during filling, when it starts to vent liquid instead of gas, the tank is full (to 80%). The pump usually has a meter measuring gallons dispensed.
|
That's how Greater San Diego KOA is doing it.
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
|
|
|
12-20-2005, 08:16 PM
|
#27
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Boler (B1700RGH) 1979
Posts: 5,002
|
Ah, so there is a bleed valve connected to a dip tube leading to the 80% full level -- thanks Morgan, now I understand how these fill stations are determining appropriate level, and I know what to look if someone is filling my cylinders without using a scale. I assume this is just like fixed tanks in vehicles, which is what I meant by "various fittings" on the tank.
I hope Donna's supplier is really using the bleed valve to determine the shutoff.
__________________
1979 Boler B1700RGH, pulled by 2004 Toyota Sienna LE 2WD
Information is good. Lack of information is not so good, but misinformation is much worse. Check facts, and apply common sense liberally.
STATUS: No longer active in forum.
|
|
|
12-20-2005, 09:09 PM
|
#28
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 2000 19 ft (formerly 17 ft) Casita Freedom Deluxe ('Nuestra Casita') / 2000 4WD V8 Tundra
Posts: 760
|
Brian B-P,
Natural gas is not available in the mountains where we live. So when our 298 gallon propane tank is filled, the same method Morgan described is used. There is a bleeder on the fill nozzle and also one on the tank. Between the two of them it would almost be impossible to ignore the spewing liquid propane. The reason for allowing the 20% "air space" is to provide expansion room in case the ambient temperature should rise after the tank has been filled. The volume of liquid propane expands considerably when the temperature rises. I've had it expand so much that the pressure relief valve on the tank opened and the escaping fuel stunk up the entire neighborhood. Not supposed to happen and cost per gallon is close to that of gasoline,but with a sufficient increase in temperature Fortunately it didn't leak for more than a few moments.
Kurt & Ann K.
|
|
|
12-22-2005, 10:31 AM
|
#29
|
Member
Trailer: 1985 13 ft Burro
Posts: 40
|
We have Suburban propane gas for our home. They will fill a 20, 30, or what have you at our door and also at our cottage for the same price. currently that price is 1.49 per gallon. but again , we use it for heat at home . One gallon is about 4.4 pounds.A 20 lb tank is about 5 gal. Hope this helps.ALSO , HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS. AL.
|
|
|
12-22-2005, 08:27 PM
|
#30
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 74 13 ft Boler and 79 17 ft Boler
Posts: 568
|
Went past a propane place where I fill my barbeque tanks and their sign reads: propane tanks filled $15.99 .......I don`t know of another place in our area that still fills tanks.....Anyway...a Merry and Peaceful Christmas to all....at least I think that we can still say that...... ...Benny & Alice
|
|
|
12-22-2005, 08:52 PM
|
#31
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 2007 17 ft Casita Spirit Deluxe
Posts: 183
|
I did not realize that buying propane has become somewhat of a scam. Where I live, they do not use scales (never even seen a scale used) it is sold by the gallon. Also, you only pay for what you need. Whoever started selling at a fixed price regardless if you do not need that much seems like an illegal act to me. Could you imagine a gas station doing that with vehicles? In California, if you do not have the OPD valve/device, you will not get your bottles filled.
|
|
|
12-23-2005, 10:16 AM
|
#32
|
Member
|
Quote:
I did not realize that buying propane has become somewhat of a scam. Where I live, they do not use scales (never even seen a scale used) it is sold by the gallon. Also, you only pay for what you need. Whoever started selling at a fixed price regardless if you do not need that much seems like an illegal act to me. Could you imagine a gas station doing that with vehicles? In California, if you do not have the OPD valve/device, you will not get your bottles filled.
|
the OPD is required in ND also. When I was in Cal some places sold it for .75 per gallon with a $2 or $3 min. It doesn't pay to file in a gallon
|
|
|
12-23-2005, 11:57 AM
|
#33
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,711
|
OPD device is required everywhere in the U.S. It's a federal law, not state or local. And from what I've read on the WWW it's coming to Canada before too long.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
|
|
|
12-27-2020, 07:44 AM
|
#34
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 78 Trillium 13 ft / 2003 F150
Posts: 440
|
Recertification of Tanks
Hello,
For determining the level of the propane in the 20 lb bottle you just wait till the day warms up and then run your hand down the tank to determine the temp. When it gets cold there is the propane. If you have trouble with that, using an inexpensive infrared thermometer would work. When the day warms up just run the thermometer down the tank .... when the temp drops there is the level. In warmer climates the warm water may be required.
As a back up I carry a 10 lb tank to use while filling up the 20 lb tank on the Trill. The little tank is also handy to use if you want to cook outside on a propane camp stove. It saves wasting money on buying those little disposable bottles.
BTW... Overstock has 10 lb tanks for $60 now...
https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garde...010%20lb&rfmt=
Uncle Larry
|
|
|
12-27-2020, 11:33 AM
|
#35
|
Senior Member
Name: kenny
Trailer: 93 "Lil" Bigfoot 13.5'
Utah
Posts: 519
|
I bought a propane bottle connector ( coupling ) at Harbor Freight and use a grill or RV propane bottle to fill the small green bottles or propane torch bottles.
|
|
|
12-27-2020, 02:27 PM
|
#36
|
Senior Member
Name: Lynn
Trailer: '06 Scamp 16
Rochester, New York
Posts: 286
|
I have two tanks on the Scamp and two for the home grill. When one is empty, I have it filled. Most places here in Rochester, NY charge by the refill, not gallons. BJs and Costco usually have the best price. Tank exchanges contain only 15# of fuel.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Upcoming Events |
No events scheduled in the next 465 days.
|
|