Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 18:49:13 -0800
Reply-To: "Scott B." <vwv@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Scott B." <vwv@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: refilling disposable propane cylinders (the correct way)
In-Reply-To: <011e01c045fe$3e451b60$411fd1d1@ronbloom>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Northern Tool & Equipment Co. Has the adapters for $15.99.
http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=11829&
prmenbr=6970
Acording to the directions you need to freeze the bottel after it is empty
to drop the internal pressure then put the adapter and 1 lb cylinder on the
tank you are filing it from then turn it upside down and open the valve and
fill till you hear it stop, close the valve and remove it from the adapter.
With this process you will not need to vent the tank and and the vent on the
tank will not get damaged.
I have been doing this for 3 years now and it has been working great, if you
also use a good o-ring lubricant (sparingly) on the o-ring it will last
longer.
> From: Ron Bloomquist <roadcow@MCN.ORG>
> Reply-To: Ron Bloomquist <roadcow@MCN.ORG>
> Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 17:25:53 -0800
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: refilling disposable propane cylinders
>
> Hi volks,
>
> A friend sent me a brass fitting that is double ended. One end screws into
> a 10 gallon propane tank. The other end accepts Coleman 1 pound cylinders,
> the type you see thrown away at campsites. I have collected a bunch of
> these over the years and refill them now and then. I have not bought a new
> one since.
>
> I screw the fitting into the ten gallon tank. Then screw on the Coleman
> cylinder (or Ace hardware cylinder, whatever). They end up 90 degrees to
> each other. I tip the 10 pound tank on its side with the one pound cylinder
> hanging down. I open the valve on the 10 pound tank and then use hemostats
> and pull up on the pressure relief valve on the one pound cylinder (looks
> like a bicycle valve stem). (Hemostats, probably spelled wrong, are thin,
> long nosed plyer type thingies use for surgery). You can also tip the valve
> stem to the side to release air and gas with a thin screwdriver. I vent air
> and gas until I get a solid stream of liquid. The one pound cylinder is
> then full. I shut off the valve on the ten pound tank and then unscrew the
> one pound cylinder and do another one.
>
> Don't let the liquid spray on your fingers. It is so cold it will "burn
> you". It is best to let them sit around out side for a while to vent off if
> over charged. Then I just toss them into my vanagon (Vanagon content),
> under the back seat, until I need them for my portable barbie or catalytic
> heater. I have also been refilling tanks for my traveling friends Eddie and
> Stefan. Probably costs 20 cents per refill.
>
> The little brass fitting I have has stamped in it's side: "K.M. Prod. Kaska,
> MI. Pat. 4807848".
>
> Where my friend bought it; I have no idea.
>
> It always bothered me to throw away a perfectly good cylinder just because
> it was empty. I'm sure Coleman would much rather you throw them away and
> buy another one.
>
> My two cents worth.
>
> Ron
> "George and Al make me wanna Ralph!"
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