Date:         Tue, 29 May 2007 21:08:24 -0500
Reply-To:     Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Emptying propane tank?
Comments: cc: "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20070530004334.UTCV17078.fed1rmmtai111.cox.net@fed1rmimpi01.cox.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

> From:    "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
> Date:    Tue, 29 May 2007 16:19:35 -0700
>
> I need to empty the tank -- and not just run out while camping* -- so I
> can change out the auto fill valve for a simple manual one. I'd rather
> not just dump it for clean air reasons. I've called my local propane
> guys and they don't know how to do it.

Do the "local propane guys" just fill people's RV and gas grill tanks?
If so you probably need to talk to the kind of place you see out in the
country - one to three above-ground propane tanks as big as a semi-
trailer, with several new and used house-sized propane tanks sitting
around.  The country guys can either pump your tank into their slop
tank, or use something like
http://www.flameengineering.com/Propane_Flare.htm which is designed for
precisely this job.

Otherwise, I agree with Jake de Villiers.  Run the Westy fridge/stove
until it's out.  If it feels slightly wrong to do that to innocent
hydrocarbons, you could use it at home as a "pre-cooler" for warm
stuff you've just brought home from the grocery store.  Use the Westy
fridge to cool it down, then take it inside the house.  That way the
energy doesn't totally go to waste.  This might be more of a stretch,
but maybe you can cook dinner in the Westy (or talk Mrs. Squirrel into
cooking in the Westy) for a night or two at home.

Matt Roberds