Propane Tank - What to do

[hawkeye08]

We have a 1000 gallon tank and propane company said they can put a LP valve on it (guy explained that is basically a new valve that has a pipe inside tank that gets liquid from the bottom part of the tank (not vapor), it said it would cost about $200 in parts, plus some time). Our BBQs and travel trailer don't use much propane so have not looked into actually getting it done. He did say also that they won't put the valve in for filling the BBQ tanks, you have to have a reason (like a tractor). I have a forklift that runs on propane and he said that is justification enough.

Just be careful, stay safe.

 

[Wilco]

Have to admit I learned something today. I've never seen a tank with a liquid valve set-up on it. Just watched a video and it was referred to as a nursing tank. Interesting....guess they're not popular in my area.

 

[LouNY]

They where common on farms in the mid-west for tractors in the 50 and 60's and a few in the 70's.
Also quite a few people had them for pickups where propane was reasonably priced.
Many of those systems are still in use.

If I was going to run a good sized propane generator I would have one with a liquid feed and local vaporizer.
More of an industrial set up.

 

[aczlan]

What you say is very true. But I have one question.
How many readers on here have ever run a propane fueled tractor, of those how many have ever refilled it.

I run propane powered equipment on occasion and I refill tanks every so often.
I also through the propane tank refill training done by our propane supplier every year.

Also the old way is not the acceptable way any more, they want you to have a pump and pump into your tank without venting it.

Odd, our propane supplier at work (we have a large tank with a pump to refill 33#/43# tanks setup for liquid feed) says to vent a little bit while filling and stop when the liquid reaches the diptube for the vent (causing liquid to come out the vent).

Aaron Z

 

[LouNY]

Per the DEC your not supposed to vent any more in this wonderous state.
All portable tanks are to be filled by weight including your forklift or manlift tanks.
Had that go round about 3-4 years ago getting a propane Farmall 400 filled.
The way you are doing it is much easier and it's the way I have always done it.
Also the only way I know to do tanks that can't be weighed.

 

[ultrarunner]

Some people do this and some do it safely. The ones that do not do it safely make the news. Liquid propane is dangerous I have been handling it for 40 years and would recommend you do not do this. No matter how easy it is made out to be it is still inherently dangerous I cannot imagine the liability or what the insurance adjuster would say.....you did what ? Liquid propane expands 272 time when vaporizing. If you cannot find someone to safely evacuate the tank PM me and I will help you. I market propane all over the USA

I had mother nature intervene and lost over 400 gallons...

A black bear decided the tank was a good place to climb and sprawl out and snapped off the line venting a full 500 gallon tank to atmosphere.

A neighbor at some distance smelled the propane but by that time the tank had emptied.

Starting in 1964 the propane and pilots were left on at the cabin... since then I only have the propane on when I am there... error on the side of caution... or so I thought.

I own the tank and the cabin is paid for... got a letter from the propane dealer which said Home Owner may NEVER turn on a tank once it has been turned off???

I light pilot lights and leak check appliances all the time as part of my day job as well as install gas appliances and never had anyone tell me this is forbidden except for my propane dealer???

PS... since I now turn off the propane… usage has gone from $800 annually to $25

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]
I own the tank and the cabin is paid for... got a letter from the propane dealer which said Home Owner may NEVER turn on a tank once it has been turned off???

I light pilot lights and leak check appliances all the time as part of my day job as well as install gas appliances and never had anyone tell me this is forbidden except for my propane dealer???

PS... since I now turn off the propane usage has gone from $800 annually to $25

The letter from the dealer is pretty curious! :shocked: Did they say why you shouldn't turn off the tank? Was it the main shut-off at the tank's regulator itself? Although I don't see why that should make a difference, unless there is some concern about something happening in the downstream lines if not constantly in use. Couldn't you just turn off the individual supply valve at each respective appliance? :scratchchin:

 

[pmsmechanic]

The letter from the dealer is pretty curious! :shocked: Did they say why you shouldn't turn off the tank? Was it the main shut-off at the tank's regulator itself? Although I don't see why that should make a difference, unless there is some concern about something happening in the downstream lines if not constantly in use. Couldn't you just turn off the individual supply valve at each respective appliance? :scratchchin:

My guess is the reason ultrarunner was using so much gas is because there is a leak somewhere. If there is a small leak in the line, turning each individual appliance off isn't going to help as the line still has pressure in it. I run into this issue with my holiday trailer. If I leave the line pressurized the bottle is soon empty. There is no smell of propane anywhere. If I turn the gas off at the bottle there is still gas next spring.

I.m pretty sure the letter from the dealer was just a scare/money making thing.

 

[ultrarunner]

The letter from the dealer is pretty curious! :shocked: Did they say why you shouldn't turn off the tank? Was it the main shut-off at the tank's regulator itself? Although I don't see why that should make a difference, unless there is some concern about something happening in the downstream lines if not constantly in use. Couldn't you just turn off the individual supply valve at each respective appliance? :scratchchin:

Shutting off the tank is OK... it is turning on the tank that it a problem and per the Dealer requires a Mandated inspection of all propane appliances onsite for a fee of course.

The reason I shut the tank off at the tank is to prevent a repeat of the bear incident... the bear actually damaged the piping twice... one time the tank was fill and the line was snapped.

The second time the tank was off and the bear broke the line again... I have seen the bear in the yard... also tore siding off the cabin.

As long as the bears are protected and homeowners are limited too defensive measures such as plate steel enclosures and electric fences... I don't see the problem improving as the population increases.

Can you imagine if I had an electric fence with 400+ gallons of propane vapor?

The letter came after the supplier came by to top off the tank as we have auto fill... tech noted the main valve closed and tank at 81%... it was the main valve being closed that generated the letter.

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,

I think the OP was looking for a little more info.

A propane dealer will evacuate the tank. For a fee. Trip charge, tech, etc... LPG recovery fee. And they will pay you about 40-50% price for propane recovered. They win all the way around.

The best bet would to use it all up one way or another.