Date:         Sat, 14 Sep 2002 20:54:54 -0400
Reply-To:     "Karl F. Bloss" <bloss@CITYNET.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Karl F. Bloss" <bloss@CITYNET.NET>
Organization: little, if any
Subject:      Propane tank filling
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

> 1--Is there a procedure or adapter required that's not in the
> owner's manual?  (attach the filling hose, open the bleed valve,
> fill 'er up)

Not really, however if you have a defective autofill valve, it could cause the
fill valve not to accept any more propane.  I've never run in to a place that
doesn't have the right adapters.  UHaul usually does a good job, only charges
by the gallon/pound with no minimum, and they're everywhere.

> 2--Would it make any difference that the tank was filled at sea
> level, and is now at 6,000 feet?  It seems like the filling tank
> and my tank are two closed systems, but just thought I'd ask.

It shouldn't make a difference since what they're looking for is liquid at the
80% level.  That's what the autostop valve checks for.  The vapor pressure of
the propane in the tank is not affected by the ambient pressure, only ambient
temperature.

My advice is to let it run out and then fill it.  It should take about 3
gallons.  If it accepts nothing, your autofill valve is FUBAR.  Been there done
that, changed to a manual overfill valve (thanks to listee Karl Wolz for his
help while in Phoenix).

Carry a spare cooking source if you'll be in the backwoods.  We usually have a
white gas Peak stove under the back seat for that occasion.  It's come in handy
for many an outdoor cooking occasion anyway.

-Karl

Karl & Kristina Bloss - Hurricane, WV
'85 Westfalia Camper "Fred"
'87 Westy Weekender "Bev" For Sale: http://members.citynet.net/bloss/vw/
'93 Eurovan MV (yet to be named)
Almost Heaven West Virgina VW Club:  http://wvvw.org/
"Bound to cover just a little more ground..."