Date:         Sat, 21 May 2005 22:23:16 -0400
Reply-To:     Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Subject:      Re: The propane filling question tested...
In-Reply-To:  <BEB50C80.92E%camper@tactical-bus.info>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed

Nice report Jim.
I am wondering if you could get more liquid into the Westy tank by opening 
the 80% valve.  Seems like the escaping gas would make more room for liquid 
propane to enter, but it would also cause the liquid Propane already in the 
tank to start vaporizing.

I was leaning toward the extend-a-stay, but it connects to the vapor only 
side of the Westy tank.  I would really like to be able to pass liquid 
Propane from the Westy tank to the 1# bottle.  And vice-verse.

What is the approximate pounds per gallon on propane?

Edward

At 06:04 PM 5/21/2005, you wrote:
>I purchased a hand POL to hand POL with 350psi rated hose.
>
>Project was to fill my 5 pounder from my 30 pounder.
>///first phase of testing///
>Both tanks set outside in shaded area of about 76 degrees.
>
>Tested at same temp
>
>Connected hose
>Opened 5 pound valve
>Opened 30 pound valve
>For about 1 minute I could detect flow.
>Opened overfill port on 5 pounder.
>With hand on side of tank I could feel an approximate level but no further
>flow to the tank was detected.
>
>Closed valves and purged hose and disconnected and weighed the 5 pounder
>It had gained 2 pounds.  Less than a half fill.
>////second phase of testing////
>Set up for test two
>Took several cooled 1 pounders and my adapter and bleed most of the propane
>out of the 5 pound into the disposables. And weighed tank to confirm the
>TARE weight plus .5 pound
>
>Test two
>Cooled 5 pound thoroughly in fridge and then set in some ice water.
>Reconnected everything and began fill again.  Fill sounds were much louder
>and ran a bit over one minute.  Disconnected and weighed.  Weighed in at 15
>pounds or TARE plus 4.5 pounds for a full tank.
>
>/////
>The results of this as they would pertain to the westy tank are.
>
>You could use such a hose to connect a BBQ style tank to your westy tank and
>then open both valves on vapor-upright and not tipped for liquid.  This
>would send pressurized vapor into the westy tank which could then go through
>the regulator into your van's gas system.  This is the same principal as the
>extend-a-stay used for other RV.  The tank doesnąt get used to fill the RV
>system only supplement it.
>
>It would not be feasible to use it as a filler as I estimate only about 2
>lbs are going to get into the system.  However 2 lbs can be a day or day and
>a half.
>
>jimt