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Old 06-23-2003, 02:53 PM   #21
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Well, I wasn't trying to scare you! You can get the 1# bottles at K-Mart, Wally-World, or any sporting goods store. They are the same bottle that lanterns, stoves and portable BBQs use. And yes, you'll need that little adapter.

Where I live, in northern Indiana, we are a resort area, with many, many lakes. It seems that you can get propane refilled about anywhere. Exchange vendors are also extremely common.

To answer your question, I would presume that a bottled gas company (Ferrell Gas, Blue-Flame, ...) would be professional in their handling of propane, more than I'd assume that about a gas-station cashier. But, the same caution still applies. Sometimes people can get careless with familiarity. If you aren't comfortable with their handling of the process, leave. Or, if you prefer, drop the empty off with them, tell them you'll be back in an hour to get it, and go do some grocery shopping.

Again, my intent is not to scare anybody, but to point out that propane is scary stuff IF IT'S NOT HANDLED PROPERLY. However, handled properly, it's no more dangerous than a dozen other products we handle on a daily basis.



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Old 06-23-2003, 04:09 PM   #22
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I realize you weren't trying to scare anybody.... there are thousands of things in our environment with the potential of being deadly but which are handled every day by people who know about them. I make soap, using lye, which you cannot make it without. You'd be surprised at the number of people who equate working with lye to lighting up a cigarette while filling a propane tank! Drinking the lye solution or sticking my hand in it, would be equally stupid. But it is totally safe using reasonable safety precautions. Way off the subject, I know.... but anyway, I'm going to do some checking around with the propane companies to find out if and/or how they refill.... This whole discussion has given me a lot of info. and knowledge I didn't have before! Thanks everyone! Michele:flowers



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Old 06-23-2003, 04:48 PM   #23
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Yes, that's correct

Quote:
Orginally posted by Michele Tinettido you think that an actual propane distributor would be more knowledgeable and careful about the safety stuff than a gas station?
Yes Michele, they (propane distributors) probably would be more knowledgeable, simply because they do it frequently. As someone said, U-Haul is usually another good source. But if you find a local gas station who does this, and it's more convenient, don't worry about it. Hundreds of bottles are filled every day and I don't think you'll find much record of accidents--yea, it could happen, but lightning could strike while you're reading this too!

Get gassed and go camping!;)



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Old 06-23-2003, 05:40 PM   #24
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A Picture is Worth 1000 words

Here is what you need:

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3ef78ed200f56rack.jpg/>

I found it at the parts and accessories link for http://www.hilltoptrailers.com/ on page 344.

If you want automatic changeover from the empty tank to the full tank, see the fancy automatic changeover regulator on page 348.

If you would like to see pictures of my dual-tank installation, contact me off-list at n0kfb@skypoint.com and I will post pictures of the dual tank installation to my web site.

-- Dan Meyer



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Old 06-23-2003, 08:29 PM   #25
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Michele:

Try a Farm Co-op. Pretty reasonable prices and they know what they are doing (at least around here they do). They dont even look at me funny and ask about the older Weber quick release connector on my tank (and they have the addaptor to refill me). Personally I would rather keep my tank than get an exchange. It would be pretty easy to bondo over a big dent and add a little paint to hid it, wouldnt it?

Although it sounds like nobody here would want to do this but FYI, you can fill an older non OPD tank. Just tell them it is for *wink, wink* a torch *wink, wink* and it is exempt from the OPD rules. The farmers that work at the co-ops know the OPD valves are a joke and seem to have no problem filling a larger number of torch tanks now...

HTH
Rich



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Old 06-23-2003, 09:04 PM   #26
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I've filled up at both gas station fillups and distributers. if they don't know what they are doing, they don't do it.
I have NEVER seen a do it your self propane fillup place.

The guy that smokes and fills up your tank with gas or propane should be told to stop.

every place I have gone to always ask first if everything thing is turned off inside for my and their safety. I don't like hanging around when they do the fillup mainly because it smells.



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Old 06-24-2003, 05:15 AM   #27
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Check your regulator

Hi!

A few weeks ago, I went to my favorite trailer store, with my trailer. I wanted the owner to have a look at the bike rack that I made and that is holded down by the ball that pull the trailer. I just wanted his opinion, in case he could see something wrong about that.

Everything is fine, he said after a good inspection, except, if I were you, I would change the regulator (for propane) that is installed on your trailer.

This regulator is an (old) one stage regulator. If it fail, the high pressure gaz from the tank will go inside the trailer. The newer regulator is two stage. If it fail, the high pressure gaz will stay outside.

Nothing to panic here, my regulator has been working fine for the last 26 years but I will change it this summer. It is a safety issue.

Alain



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Old 06-24-2003, 07:31 AM   #28
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My 16' Scamp has two propane bottles. I'm thinking of adding one of those white hard cases to cover them, then remove one bottle and use the now empty space for storage of extra gear. Since I tend to keep the bottles full this should result in a weight savings unless I get silly with the gear I store inside. I can always put the "spare" bottle back in if that long trip in winter ever happens. Are there flexible hoses available for the run from bottle to regulator? I like the idea of a one pound (rather than 45) emergency backup bottle.

Now, if I can just find some lawn chairs that will fit in the space of the absent propane bottle. ;-) Alternatively, I may build a case of my own with fewer size restrictions, but there goes the weight savings. Oh bother!

john



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Old 06-24-2003, 10:58 AM   #29
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:wave John, you do know those white hard cases for the propane bottles are bottomless, right?



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Old 06-24-2003, 12:35 PM   #30
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regulators

speaking of regulators.... when did they switch from the "old" kind to the "new" kind--as I wouldn't have the faintest idea what either kind looks like... my scamp is a 1996. Michele



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Old 06-24-2003, 12:37 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally posted by Morgan Bulger:

If the valve handle is triangular, the tank is equipped with the new OPD valve.


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Old 06-24-2003, 12:38 PM   #32
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lawn chairs......

And speaking of lawn chairs.. I just bought 2 at walmart for under $8 each, that are quite lightweight, fold up to fit into storage bags that will fit nicely, either under the rear bed or dinette, or in the storage compartment under the right rear seat. Michele



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Old 06-24-2003, 03:21 PM   #33
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Mary F

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE
Quote:
Originally posted by Morgan Bulger:

If the valve handle is triangular, the tank is equipped with the new OPD valve.
[/quote]

Mary F,

I think Michele was asking about the regulator, not the valve.

Michele,

I think the two-stage regulator has been in use much earlier than 1996, so your Scamp probably has the two-stage.



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Old 06-24-2003, 03:33 PM   #34
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Welp, I guess you're right, Morgan, since she says, ''speaking of regulators.''

Sorry. I wasn't paying attention. (oops.) :r



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Old 06-24-2003, 04:01 PM   #35
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regulator

Thanks guys. Since it's pouring rain here right now it'll be awhile before I can go out and look, just to see what everything looks like... by the way, my son and grandson slept in the scamp the other night, so it has now been baptized with a little pee from a 5-year-old in the blackwater tank....:lol



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Old 06-24-2003, 04:03 PM   #36
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Regulator

Hi!

Here is what should look like a 2 stage regulator. I don't know much about LP regulator. But mine is not looking like that at all. Just have one "circle" instead of two like this one.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3ef8c9c8de3bblp-gas-regulator.jpg/>

Alain



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Old 06-24-2003, 04:14 PM   #37
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propane and things

Michele:

Along with the 'new' OPD valve in the propane tank, came the male thread coupler. This doesn't require a wrench. So another way to spot the 'new' style is to look for this big fitting that you hand tighten when hooking up the cylinder for the first time. Technically this is just a new 'hose' fitting. The regulator has stayed the same thru all this OPD change. But if going from one tank (or cylinder) to two, you'll want a new automatic change-over regulator (it'll have a lever ya turn to select which tank is in use) for two tanks to replace your old single style.

==========

Well, technically, some tanks came with the male thread and no OPD. So the triangle valve on top the tank, and the big hand tightened nut (not the guy smoking the cigarette) are the visual clues for the 'new tanks'. :E :E

BTW folks, change to OPD. It's for everyones safety. :)


found a photo, disregard the brass 'tee' and extra hose.
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3ef8ce8634f1bCasita Mr heater valve.jpg/>



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Old 06-25-2003, 06:52 AM   #38
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So what are everyone's experiences with the automatic regulators? A friend has a cottage in BC that we occasionally stay at. There's no electricity so all the lighting, cooking, and fridge, is propane. He added a second tank a few years ago and when doing so, added an automatic switching valve. I don't know the brand. Anyway, since doing that, the lights and stove burners (fridge burner too) sort of 'cycle'. It's most noticeable in the lights. over a period of 5 seconds, they go bright, then slowly dim... It makes it really difficult to read with the lights always shooting up in brightness. When cooking on the stove, the sound of the burners is approximately the same cycling only with a pop as they get bright. It's really difficult to light the pilot on the fridge because it keeps wanting to go out.

Anyway, I didn't really associate the two until a friend told me he was having problems lighting the pilot on his fridge of his RV, and figured the fridge might be going south on him. I asked him if he had recently bought one of these automatic switching valves and he confirmed that he had. I looked at it and it looked different than the one at the cottage, but the symptom was the same. A sort of cycling. We took the valve out of the circuit and hooked straight up to a regular regulator, and everything worked normally.

Seems really potentially dangerous to use one of these valves...



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Old 06-25-2003, 07:42 AM   #39
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That automatic part must be checkin every 5 minutes to see if it should - switch. :wak. or maybe it thinks it's empty so changes then say no wait there some more propane back there and switches back.
I think a manual switch over would be better. except for the needing to re-lite after you switch, at least you would know the first tank was empty. where the automatic would hide that fact. - unless you go look - which I would forget to do. :)



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Old 06-26-2003, 09:19 AM   #40
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Actually, Herb, it sounds like the regulator pressure needs to be adjusted.

The second stage output should be at 11 inches of water column. Use a U-tube water manometer to monitor the pressure at the refrigerator while the stove or a couple of lights are lighted. If the pressure is fluctuating, the regulator is probably bad.

A U-tube manometer is easy to make with clear 1/2" tubing.

Removing the plastic cover (it snaps off) from the regulator should reveal a screwdriver adjustment.

I just noticed you're in AB. What I said applies to regulators here in Baja Canada. I don't know about those in the great white north.

If you're uncomfortable working with propane devices, a propane distributor should be able to adjust the regulator or check it to see if it has failed.



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