Date:         Wed, 4 Apr 2007 08:52:01 -0700
Reply-To:     Matthias Kuster <matthiaskuster@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matthias Kuster <matthiaskuster@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      another propane question, overflow valve
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Hi list,

Likely this can be found in the archives, but I will hog some
bandwidth here anyways:

I just had my propane filled with 3 gallons. The tank has the screw
type overflow valve on it. The last time it had propane in it might
well have been a decade or so ago...
I cleaned and prepped the tank and accessories, redid the pipe
connections incl teflon tape, then painted the tank and skid plate.
Cleaned the tags and labels as good as possible.
Now, I think I heard that the tank and system should have been
evacuated before filling. This didn't happen, or I doubt it did. When
the guy was filling it there was stuff spewing all over the place.
All my appliances work fine with the propane now, great actually, but
I do have propane smell. I checked all unions and connections and
don't see any bubbles. If I open the screw on overfill valve, gas is
coming out. Now for the question:
Must this overflow valve be opened at filling time? Do I have too
much pressure in my tank/system since the air wasn't evacced?? If I
turn the valve on the tank off (not the overflow) the gas smell
disappears. Should I open the overflow valve until no more gas
escapes to even out the pressure?

TIA

Matthias