Propane Tank Valve Question

ultrarunner · Jun 30, 2015

The Bear population is fast becoming fearless here in the Sierra Nevada range... Bear proof garbage enclosures and such are now common.

Another problem is Bears damaging propane tank lines and regulators especially in empty vacation cabins...

Just finishing an unplanned repair and now I'm thinking two years ago when the contents of a nearly full 250 gallon tank were lost it was also because of a Bear.

How far open should the hand valve be on a 250 gallon propane tank when turning it on for the summer? In the past it was left on year round for convenience and now I would rather be safe than sorry or poorer with 80% in the tank now.

I also changed out the copper line for a stainless flex gas line as both times the copper line was mangled to the point of leaking.

Cpjlube · Jun 30, 2015

Wow. Here in central Ohio I just worry about hitting the line with the mower. I don't live in bear country so I never considered bear damage. That's a big loss if tank is 80 percent!

I just turn the valve all the way open. There is a regulator so it shouldn't matter.

I'm assuming you can winterized the place enough to leave the valve off when your not in residence? Wonder how much armor you have to install to protect the tank if you need the system pressurized all year long?

ultrarunner · Jun 30, 2015

Tank has been here 50 years and was never a problem before the Bears showed up...

Looks like the Bear had made himself at home... nice little depression in the ground just behind the tank and under a fir tree...

Last year was the first year we had the gas off all winter and no issues... before, the water heater was turned to pilot and the furnace set at 40 degrees and of course the water was off and RV anti-freeze in the drains.

triptester · Jun 30, 2015

With the 20-40 lb tanks they have what is called a velocity check built into the POL that shuts off the flow if there is a sudden large flow. Check with your propane supplier to see if a velocity check is available for the big tanks.

stingray1 · Jun 30, 2015

triptester said:
With the 20-40 lb tanks they have what is called a velocity check built into the POL that shuts off the flow if there is a sudden large flow. Check with your propane supplier to see if a velocity check is available for the big tanks.

Thanks for the info.

ultrarunner · Jul 1, 2015

This is a 1960's year round tank that is customer owned... even so... the propane company has become very territorial... almost adversarial.

They had a conniption fit that I was turning on the gas and lighting pilot lights... like I have for almost 50 years!

Even put stickers all over the tank that say "Leased From"... again customer owned and have papers to prove.

I think 4 times the franchise has changed hands in 6 years and there are fewer with propane since natural gas is now available... for a $2500 hookup fee plus whatever plumbing and converting existing gas appliances.

RedNeckGeek · Jul 1, 2015

ultrarunner said:
This is a 1960's year round tank that is customer owned... even so... the propane company has become very territorial... almost adversarial.

They had a conniption fit that I was turning on the gas and lighting pilot lights... like I have for almost 50 years!

Even put stickers all over the tank that say "Leased From"... again customer owned and have papers to prove.

Sounds like it's time for a new propane dealer. You might be surprised how happy another dealer would be to get your business, and show it by treating you considerably better.

Jstpssng · Jul 2, 2015

Just an aside but I could be mistaken but I believe that they only fill those tanks to 85% to allow for expansion.

ultrarunner · Jul 2, 2015

I marked it down and dated it with a copy under the lid... 82% on July 1, 2015...

The bear was back... right in front of the house in broad daylight around 2 in the afternoon...

The cabin has been in the family over 51 years with no bears lurking in the neighborhood.

Just to be on the safe side... I turned off the main valve on the tank, water and power...

PHIL850 · Jul 13, 2015

They fill them to approx 80%. you need the other open 20% so the liquid can turn to vapor .

ultrarunner · Jul 13, 2015

When you open the valve should it be opened until it stops or is opening it a turn enough?

The reason I ask is because welding Oxygen is opened until it stops because the valve is double seated... whereas Acetylene is opened less than a turn.

bigtiller · Jul 13, 2015

There is 150~ pounds trying to escape through a 10 pound hole. I think 1/2 a turn would be plenty. But i was only in the business 2 years so i will defer to a more knowledgeable expert.

ultrarunner · Jul 13, 2015

Thank you... seems logical to me.

RedNeckGeek · Jul 13, 2015

I don't know if the propane valves are double seated or not, but I usually open the valve on the big tank that supplies the house all the way until it stops. The ones on the BBQ tanks I just crack, then close them again after I'm done. I've never smelled a gas leak doing this, but if I was really worried about it, a call to the propane man would get a good answer.

The ones on Oxygen and other high pressure tanks have to be double seatied to take the high pressures (~3000 psi). If you leave the valve partially open it will usually leak and you'll waste gas.

Acetylene is prone to detonation at pressures over 15 psi, so it comes dissolved in acetone, which is kept from sloshing around by a fiber filler in the tank. That's why you should try to keep an acetylene tank upright, and let it sit at least an hour before trying to use it if it gets tipped over.

JerryK · Jul 13, 2015

Propane tanks are filled to 80% most of the year. Starting when the weather turns real cold, they fill to 85%, say late November up here in Michigan...... depending....

ultrarunner · Jul 13, 2015

Can't really call the propane supplier since they told me hands off... thing is I own the tank and they have been trying to get it back for years... like waiving the rental and delivery charges for 2 years and such... thing is we don't pay a rental charge!

Tractor Seabee · Jul 13, 2015

In line with the OP; not only bears like propane. Squirrels, chip monks, and other like rodents also go after the flex hoses and chew thru them. Enough of the smell comes through the hoses that it attracts them to start chewing to get more. RV hook ups are common bait.

Ron