REFILLING 1LB TANKS?

[Hawg]

This whole thread take the old -Saving a buck- to the extreeme. Good luck-be safe

[PRO-V]

You guys are missing the boat on the safety thing. The danger is if the refilled tank vents inside a vehicle or structure/fishhouse and finds an ignition source. Then you are a cinder. I was a fireman and we were trained on the dangers of fuel containers. Also, a cold tank not leaking may vent when brought inside to a warmer atmosphere - seen it happen. Go ahead and kill yourselves, just don't take me with you!!

[croixflats]

I work at a gas service place and I can tell you that we fill our 20# tanks with 20#s. We have exchange tanks and we do not short people there gas. Whoever told you this or does this is Illegal and should be reported.

Blue Rhino got caught doing this last year I believe. I believe they tried selling 17 #s worth for 20# price with out letting the costumer know. I dont know if they still do this but if they do there will be some notification saying so look carefully at exchange tanks.

Beware if you plan to use the Blue Rhino tank exchange service for buying propane. Blue Rhino is installing valves on their tanks that can only be refilled by Blue Rhino, meaning that you will be locked into their tank-for-tank service, and won't be able to get the tank refilled at your local propane dealer.

Nn the label on the tank sleeve that the tank was to be refilled by Blue Rhino only. Turns out that is a requirement, not a request.

Blue Rhino is not only installing OPD valves, they are installing their OWN proprietary OPD valves, called Tri-Safe II valves. You can identify a TSII valve by the little triangular indentation on the side of the valve. In order to get flow IN to a TS2 valve, a magnetic key must be inserted into the indentation to hold a steel ball out of the way.

A guy named Mark Sharp received a letter from Blue Rhino confirming this information. Here's the text of the letter he received:

"Blue Rhino is the leader in the industry for providing the safest tanks on the market. Some, but not all of our tanks have a special safety device that prevents the refill by anyone other than a Blue Rhino specialist. They are called TS2 cylinders. The reason we designed them is simple. It's for the safety of our consumers!! We stand behind our product. We know how our cylinders are filled and that the highest level of accuracy and safety checks are performed. When our consumers take our cylinders and have them filled elsewhere, we cannot be liable or guarantee the safety of that cylinder. If your tank is not properly filled, damage to your valve can result, which can prevent it from performing properly.

Our business is propane cylinder exchange. We recommend that our customers only exchange because of the safety/liability issues associated with someone else filling our tanks. However, you, as a consumer, are free to fill your cylinder if you wish. Not all of our tanks offer the special safety feature. The way to identify the special TS2 valve tanks that cannot be filled is easy. If your tank valve has a small triangular indention on the side, then it is "tamper" protected. If you prefer to have a tank that can be filled by anyone, take that tank back to any Blue Rhino retailer and exchange it for one that does not have the triangular indention.

For liability reasons, if you choose to refill your tank, please remember to remove the plastic sleeve before having it refilled.

I hope this information helps."

Don't confuse the new OPD valves with the triangular handle with the Blue Rhino-only TS2 OPD valves, also with the triangular handle, but also the little triangular indentation on the SIDE of the valve.

All Blue Rhino tanks now have OPDs and the new three-sided valve handles. (Overfill Protection Device, a float-based device inside the tank)

*NOT* all Blue Rhino tanks have (yet) been retrofitted with TS2 valves.

So there is a chance that you can find (or end up with by chance) a tank from Blue Rhino that is OPD and is refillable at your local propane dealer. But you need to look for the telltale TS2 indention to be sure.

[croixflats]

Sorry for the interruption thought it be good info. Schmoe was not directed at you many private companies offer exchange units that are reputable.

[Wanderer]

That is good info - thanks!

[foulpole18]

Do those caps work well to prevent leaking on refilled 1lb tanks? I looked at them at the big C store and considered getting a couple. Just was wondering how they work seeing as how I have a adapter to fill 1lbers. Got it for a buck at a garage sale and have never tried it.

[Big-Al]

Quote:

Do those caps work well to prevent leaking on refilled 1lb tanks?

The caps are only intended to keep the business end of the tank clean, not prevent gas flow.

[swamptiger]

posted by nubote:

Quote:

I have brass caps to deal with the inevitable leaks.

I would think if you look, you could find a brass cap to fit. Sometimes the schraeder type valve (the smaller valve off to the side) leaks too, but there might be something available you could plug that with, too.

Just a thought - not trying to minimize the safety risks involved.

Quote:

Also, a cold tank not leaking may vent when brought inside to a warmer atmosphere - seen it happen.

This would be a concern, and something to be aware of with any propane tank. Best thing to do with a leaking tank is to discard it.

[magnum mike]

I haven't read the whole thread but has anyone suggested adapter hoses to run from a bulk tank? With very few exceptions should work on almost anything gas fired and is MUCH safer.

[nubote]

The caps are sold by the same Co. that sells the filler. Mr.Heater. If I just wanted to keep the fitting clean, I would use the plastic cap that comes with the bottle.

[castmaster]

I've asked before and I'll ask again...please provide even a single example of someone being injured or having any kind of accident from a refilled 1 lb tank.

[PierBridge]

I've asked before and I'll ask again...please provide even a single example of someone being injured or having any kind of accident from a refilled 1 lb tank.

There are many....

Here's mine and I'll start off by saying NOBODY brings refilled #1 pounders fishing with me any longer....

They do leak and can and have caused problems in spite of what the know-it-alls above will tell you.....yes you'll probably be OK as will the Hereon addict who reuses his needle or the guy who just rolled his truck with No seat belt on and walks away...

Any-who we're fishing up on 8th Crow Wing a few years back it was insanely cold around 22 below and a friend and I were out in portables. So my friend tells me his Mr Heater won't stay lit.....so I go over to his FT Voyager and he's struggling to change the re-filled 1 pounder with another refill. I'll blame the alcohol for him not being able to thread the New tank on......long story short I get the new bottle threaded on and set into place and pull out my igniter and BOOOM. The 1 pounder he took off was thrown into the back of the tub and apparently leaked enough Gas to fill the shelter.

In split second although it seemed like eternity I thought we were dead. I leaned up off the seat to light the Heater and the explosion lifted my side of the shelter up about 4 feet and by the time it hit back down I had instinctively dove out of the house which I thought was pretty cool on my part..LOL.

Being it was so cold we both had full face mask on so the only thing exposed was our eyes and the only damage was we both had our Eyelash/lids COMPLETELY burnt off ......

I'm guessing the facemask and shou-ee prevented me from smelling the Propane build up in the Trap but it was crazy and nothing I'd want to be apart of again.

Also back in the day when some of us were refilling them we would often open our enclosed snowmobile trailer after a trip to the lake and smell the leaking bottles on more than a few occasins.

I do like some the safety measures you guys are taking but for every one of you there are 10 Jabroni's out there.

[DTro]

Yikes

I would have had to clean my shorts out after that one.

[goldengopher01]

The alcohol smell must of killed the smell of propane to tell if there was a leak

[castmaster]

So Pier, you know that resulted solely from refilled tanks how exactly? From reading it it sounds as likely to me that your under the influence buddy never got the first tank screwed onto his heater properly that he was having trouble keeping it lit in the first place.

I watched a fellow burn his portable down around him by not having his 20lb tank properly connected to a sunflower heater. Does that make refilling 20lb tanks uber dangerous as well?

I'm not saying there is no danger involved, just that if one is smart about it the danger can be reduced greatly and something many of us are willing to live with.

For example I'd never attempt to refill any of teh generic off brand tanks, nor would I buy one to begin with as I have had them leak without ever being refilled. I wont refill more than 2 times before recycling the tank. I wont refill any tank that has signs of any problem. I test tanks with soapy water to make sure there is no leaking, and then keep stored outside.

Doing all that I see little increased risk over hauling my 20lber that some pimple faced kid at the gas station filled after I had to tell him how to hook it up.

[PRO-V]

OPD valves were made mandatory because of the so-called pimple faced kid overfilling them. Just because something is made and marketed doesn't mean it's safe. Too many people are non-mechanical and have problems with this stuff.

[PierBridge]

Good question and initially I was thinking maybe, he, by trying to screw on the new refilled tank had leaked enough gas to cause it but the 1 pounder was still leaking after the incident and I entered his shack by flipping the shelter open so that would have cleared what little gas had seeped out.

His problem I beleive was he reused the 1 pounder too many times and it finally failed!....

I know I have picture of my singed face some where I'll see if I can dig it up....the burnt hair smell drove me nuts the rest of the weekend!

Be careful with ALL propane in ALL situations is my point...

[bobbymalone]

So Pier, you know that resulted solely from refilled tanks how exactly?

Of course unless you get CSI out there to investigate you won't know for sure but...

Known problems with leaky refilled one pounders

Obvious something was leaking propane in Pier's shack

Walks like duck

Quacks like a duck

[fishergurl]

I have already posted on this thread. I myself refill my own tanks, mainly to save money. I could not afford to buy the tanks at over $3.50 a tank, and some places are up to $5.00. I like to be warm in my shack! I agree there are some safety concerns, but #1, it is my experience, that if you have a tank that is leaking you are either going to smell it, or hear it! And #2, tanks that have not been refilled can leak. A friend of mine has a Big Buddy, and he also disagrees with refilling tanks, but one night when we had our voyagers connected, his side started to really smell, and then his heater started acting up. He just thought he was running out of propane. So of coarse, with no other tanks, he asks to trade his empty for one of my refilled 1lb'rs! I agree, and as he hands me his tank, I instantly hear the wheezing sound and smell the propane! The tank got tossed outside, and I got screwed on a decent refillable tank! Bottom line is, if you use propane, you are taking a risk! Oh, and #3, I am a firm believer, that when its your time, its your time! Who knows, I may be taking a stroll down the road, and a tree might land on me! HAPPY FISHING EVERYONE!

[Gus]

I've asked before and I'll ask again...please provide even a single example of someone being injured or having any kind of accident from a refilled 1 lb tank.

Summer of 09, we filled about 6 empty 1 pounders. Two of them would not quit leaking after removing from the filling adapter. We dismissed these 2 as bad tanks. Filled the remaining 4, 2 of which were very new tanks, the newer coleman's with the green tops.

On the drive home we suddenly started smelling propane in the tahoe. Yup, one of the tanks started to leak unexpectedly and had lost nearly all it's gas by the time we got pulled over and removed the tank from the vehicle.

Everyone has choices to make in life and I choose to never refill these dang things again.

[castmaster]

NM

[tsande00]

There are many....

Here's mine and I'll start off by saying NOBODY brings refilled #1 pounders fishing with me any longer....

They do leak and can and have caused problems in spite of what the know-it-alls above will tell you.....yes you'll probably be OK as will the Hereon addict who reuses his needle or the guy who just rolled his truck with No seat belt on and walks away...

Any-who we're fishing up on 8th Crow Wing a few years back it was insanely cold around 22 below and a friend and I were out in portables. So my friend tells me his Mr Heater won't stay lit.....so I go over to his FT Voyager and he's struggling to change the re-filled 1 pounder with another refill. I'll blame the alcohol for him not being able to thread the New tank on......long story short I get the new bottle threaded on and set into place and pull out my igniter and BOOOM. The 1 pounder he took off was thrown into the back of the tub and apparently leaked enough Gas to fill the shelter.

In split second although it seemed like eternity I thought we were dead. I leaned up off the seat to light the Heater and the explosion lifted my side of the shelter up about 4 feet and by the time it hit back down I had instinctively dove out of the house which I thought was pretty cool on my part..LOL.

Being it was so cold we both had full face mask on so the only thing exposed was our eyes and the only damage was we both had our Eyelash/lids COMPLETELY burnt off ......

I'm guessing the facemask and shou-ee prevented me from smelling the Propane build up in the Trap but it was crazy and nothing I'd want to be apart of again.

Also back in the day when some of us were refilling them we would often open our enclosed snowmobile trailer after a trip to the lake and smell the leaking bottles on more than a few occasins.

I do like some the safety measures you guys are taking but for every one of you there are 10 Jabroni's out there.

I've had brand new ones leak on a couple of occasions. I don't think it has anything to do with refill or not refill...those little 1 lbers are junk period. I've also had the valves stick open blasting a full can of propane out in just a few seconds.

That said I've never used a refilled one...I just know that new ones also have their issues, most notably when it is really cold outside.

[fishinfey8]

I've had brand new ones leak on a couple of occasions. I don't think it has anything to do with refill or not refill...those little 1 lbers are junk period. I've also had the valves stick open blasting a full can of propane out in just a few seconds.

That said I've never used a refilled one...I just know that new ones also have their issues, most notably when it is really cold outside.

+1 - I don't believe the safety issue lies within the process of refilling, but more in the use after it's been filled. Leaky 1lbers are obviously something to watch out for. Simple soap test will solve that. I believe that the risk is minimized greatly by taking precautionary measures.

[mixxedbagg]

Makes me nervous. I'm all about saving a buck, but not with flammables. My dad is always offering to refill tanks for me with his 20lb adapter, but I've never taken him up on it.

[castmaster]

I havent seen one person yet trying to tell others they have to refill a 1lb tank.

Some people are comfortable riding a bike without a helmet, others don a helmet, elbow pads/knee pads etc. We all have different levels of comfort in what is "safe" and what isnt. Nothing in life is 100% safe.

Saw a car roll over after blowing a tire so I have decided autos are unsafe and sold my truck. Bought a horse but then saw a friend get bucked off and have a compound fracture of his femur so sold the horse. Figured I'd bike everywhere until I saw someone get hit by a car and killed, so scrapped the bike. Tried jogging to get where I was going but heard people were having serious knee problems after years of jogging so tossed the sneakers. Was walking to the store when I saw a BIG dog attack the mail man out walking his route, so figure thats out to. Now I sit here in my 50's era bomb shelter trying to type while encased in bubble wrap. Thinking it might help protect me from carpal tunnel!