Purging new propane tank at home

[DaNag]

Hoping for propane wisdom, of which there seems to be plenty of around here.

I've a new propane tank installed under my van. It's advised by the provider of the tank to get it purged, and I understand the reasons for doing so.

Normally I'd entrust this to a trusted professional, but unfortunately I can find nobody anywhere nearby to do it. Bulk propane dealers won't touch it as it's a custom installation, and all my local propane retailers will only purge portable tanks.

I read a DIY suggestion elsewhere which uses a full, portable tank along with various valving and hoses to do the job - and if I need to purchase such a setup for this one time job, I'll do so. However, I'm wondering if what I already have on the van side of things might suffice on it's own. As part of the install of the tank, an extend-a-stay setup was added. For those not familiar, these kits allow two things. Hookup of portable BBQ appliances to the van/RV tank, and hooking up of portable propane tanks to act as a supply for the van appliances.

Suppose I hook up a full, portable 20lb. tank to the extend-a-stay port. Could I not purge most or all of the air from the van propane tank?

1. Open the valve on the van tank
2. Open the bleeder on the van tank
3. Open the supply valve on the 20 lb. tank

Perhaps not a proper purge, but it would seem better than nothing. Left running long enough, I'm guessing the majority of air in the tank would be displaced by propane vapor coming in - and subsequent fills would eventually eliminate any small amounts of air in the van tank.

Trust I've no intention of winning a Darwin award, so any legitimate condemnation of the above plan will be taken to heart.

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

Hoping for propane wisdom, of which there seems to be plenty of around here.

I've a new propane tank installed under my van. It's advised by the provider of the tank to get it purged, and I understand the reasons for doing so.

Normally I'd entrust this to a trusted professional, but unfortunately I can find nobody anywhere nearby to do it. Bulk propane dealers won't touch it as it's a custom installation, and all my local propane retailers will only purge portable tanks.

I read a DIY suggestion elsewhere which uses a full, portable tank along with various valving and hoses to do the job - and if I need to purchase such a setup for this one time job, I'll do so. However, I'm wondering if what I already have on the van side of things might suffice on it's own. As part of the install of the tank, an extend-a-stay setup was added. For those not familiar, these kits allow two things. Hookup of portable BBQ appliances to the van/RV tank, and hooking up of portable propane tanks to act as a supply for the van appliances.

Suppose I hook up a full, portable 20lb. tank to the extend-a-stay port. Could I not purge most or all of the air from the van propane tank?

1. Open the valve on the van tank
2. Open the bleeder on the van tank
3. Open the supply valve on the 20 lb. tank

Perhaps not a proper purge, but it would seem better than nothing. Left running long enough, I'm guessing the majority of air in the tank would be displaced by propane vapor coming in - and subsequent fills would eventually eliminate any small amounts of air in the van tank.

Trust I've no intention of winning a Darwin award, so any legitimate condemnation of the above plan will be taken to heart.

I have no firsthand knowledge, but your plan sounds reasonable to me.

I would also consider adding propane with the bleeder closed to allow time for the propane to mix with air and then open the bleeder to purge. multiple cycles, keeping the new tank above atmospheric pressure,should do the trick. Yes?

 

[LouNY]

Yes closing the new tanks bleeder valve and allowing it to slowly fill with vapor then stop and allow the vapor pressure to vent out the high point of the tank.
Also no need to open the full cylinder valve full just partial is good.
That is all that a "dealer" will do, they will put in a couple of pounds and then allow it out from the highest point of the new tank.

 

[gasman1075]

Hoping for propane wisdom, of which there seems to be plenty of around here.

I've a new propane tank installed under my van. It's advised by the provider of the tank to get it purged, and I understand the reasons for doing so.

Normally I'd entrust this to a trusted professional, but unfortunately I can find nobody anywhere nearby to do it. Bulk propane dealers won't touch it as it's a custom installation, and all my local propane retailers will only purge portable tanks.

I read a DIY suggestion elsewhere which uses a full, portable tank along with various valving and hoses to do the job - and if I need to purchase such a setup for this one time job, I'll do so. However, I'm wondering if what I already have on the van side of things might suffice on it's own. As part of the install of the tank, an extend-a-stay setup was added. For those not familiar, these kits allow two things. Hookup of portable BBQ appliances to the van/RV tank, and hooking up of portable propane tanks to act as a supply for the van appliances.

Suppose I hook up a full, portable 20lb. tank to the extend-a-stay port. Could I not purge most or all of the air from the van propane tank?

1. Open the valve on the van tank
2. Open the bleeder on the van tank
3. Open the supply valve on the 20 lb. tank

Perhaps not a proper purge, but it would seem better than nothing. Left running long enough, I'm guessing the majority of air in the tank would be displaced by propane vapor coming in - and subsequent fills would eventually eliminate any small amounts of air in the van tank.

Trust I've no intention of winning a Darwin award, so any legitimate condemnation of the above plan will be taken to heart.

42 years with LP gas so here is my.02 if the tank is new is it under a vacuum ? Does it meet ASME and DOT criteria for a motor fuel installation ? Is it set up for vapor withdrawal or liquid ? If not not only does it have to be purged 5 times to 15PSI it must also have methanol injected so as to absorb any moisture in the tank. After purging the vapor injected must be vented safely away from ANY source of ignition. Where exactly are you located ? This is not something a homeowner should be doing. LP tanks not purged properly can burn too lean and burn valves etc.

 

[DaNag]

No idea on those details, gasman. It's sold as a replacement for VW Vanagon tanks and is made by a well known manufacturer (Manchester), but beyond that - none of that info is listed in the specs or manual that I can see. This blurb is included in the description, but is pretty generic:

"Our tanks are manufactured by the OEM supplier, Manchester Tank. They are compliant with all Federal Regulations and are a direct bolt-in replacement for all Volkswagen Bus / Vanagon applications."

I'm in NW Washington. I've called every propane company and retailer within a 60 minute drive.

 

[5030]

Manchester and Chemtrol are very well known bottle manufacturers. Kind of surprised none of your local propane dealers won't do it. Ours will.

 

[Egon]

Purging a tank may involve a series of pressure ups and decompressions. Unfortunately I can’t recall how many times.

 

[gasman1075]

No idea on those details, gasman. It's sold as a replacement for VW Vanagon tanks and is made by a well known manufacturer (Manchester), but beyond that - none of that info is listed in the specs or manual that I can see. This blurb is included in the description, but is pretty generic:

"Our tanks are manufactured by the OEM supplier, Manchester Tank. They are compliant with all Federal Regulations and are a direct bolt-in replacement for all Volkswagen Bus / Vanagon applications."

I'm in NW Washington. I've called every propane company and retailer within a 60 minute drive.

Manchester makes an excellent product. If you have no choice but to do it yourself It can be done safely before you install it on the van. If you take a couple of pictures of the tank I will send you a list of fittings needed to do it safely from a 20LB cylinder. You should be able to order them or pick up at most supply houses.

 

[gasman1075]

Is Wolff Specialties anywhere near you ? Or Northwest Propane ? I just googled Washington propane automobile conversions

 

[workinonit]

If they won't purge the tank does that mean none of them will fill it either?