refillable propane cylinders

[tawilson]

I've got one of those adapters that let you refill the 2 lb. cylinders with a 20 lb. bottle. You are supposed to use cylinders designed for refilling. I have searched stores and the internet, but can't find any. I have figured out how to refill the ones you aren't supposed too, but would go the official route if I could. Anyone ever come across any?

 

[OkeeDon]

I was in the propane dispensing business for almost 10 years and never saw one. I've seen the gizmo's for refilling the small cylinders from a big one, but they always scared the heck out of me, because I couldn't see any way to stop the fill before the small cylinder was too full. Cylinders are never supposed to be more than 80% full; propane needs room for expansion as the ambient temperature increases. A too-full cylinder without a proper pressure release valve could blow; even if it does have a pressure release valve, it could release gas at the wrong time, such as next to a source if ignition. Maybe it's safer than I suppose, but one thing I learned about propane was to respect it, and another thing I learned is that the rules are there for a reason.

Gosh, I hate safety nazis, and here I sound like one. Sorry -- I do a lot of crazy stuff, but I wouldn't fool with that gadget.

 

[Egon]

Don:

Back when I was still employable we used to fill the small propane bottles by holding on to them and guessing on the weight! This was in the plant and we didn't have any scales.

Egon
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tawilson]

I presumed there was such a thing, I guess because the instructions with the adapter say to use them. I figured it would have a relief valve like the bigger cylinders so when you get a bit of liquid out it means you are full. I've put propane in the smaller ones, but without being able to relieve the pressure you don't get much in. You can take a pair of needlenose and do it, but that would be wrong. Somewhere I read, I think around here, that you should put them in the freezer first. I just want to buy the legal, refiilable ones, if they exist.

 

[roho]

Geesh, Egon, I really like that saying, may I use it! "Back when I was employable!" Sounds real good to me! Kinda like a badge of honor! Sorry to break in on thread! I got one of those refill gadgets but for some strange reason, have never tried it! Went all the way to put small cylinder in freezer but just couldn't bring myself to fill one! Always remembered welding school training when they talked about oxy bottle blowing up! when man had hand on valve, Oh well that's a different story!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[63DH8]

Harbor Freight tools have them. http://www.harborfreight.com/

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45989

 

[Egon]

The freezer will not help. A pressure guage may be invaluable.

As the propane is reduced in pressure to get into the new cylinder it will cool. Lots of propane refigeration systems based on this principal.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GaryM]

That's the adaptor, not a refillable cylinder. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DaMadman]

The green cylinder in the picture. Probably a "Coleman" is the refillable cylinder, it has a pressure relief valve off to the side on top of the cylinder. It's really no different than fillinfg a refillable butane lighter. you sometimes have to bleed the pressure off the tank while filling it in order for it to completely fill.

 

[Inspector507]

So then I'm safe to "assume" that all of the Coleman (they mentioned the name) cylinders that have a relief valve are refillable and it's safe to do so??