propane filler

Do they work well? How do you judge the capacity of the small tank? I know it expands and needs room for that...
 
I bought one at the Wal-Mart in Elkin this winter and saved a lot of money by refilling the small 1lb tanks from my grills tank. At $3.75 per 1 lb tank new at Wal-Mart they add up quickly. I used a mr buddy heater this winter to help with the electric heat. I used a food prep weight scale also from Wal-Mart and measured the weight of a new unused 1 lb tank and just refilled the empty ones to a little less than the factory new one. Just a heads up I measured an empty 1lb tank at 14.4 ounces and factory full at 1lb 15.4 oz. The only way I remember is I wrote the numbers on the first empty.
 
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I bought one of those from harbor freight 15 years ago and use it for mapp gas and propane. I use it probably 20 to 30 times a year. Replace the orings with silicone and you'll be good for many years to come.
 
It's hard to get a good complete fill. Generally mine were running about 50-70%. Chill the small bottle and warm the big one. I saw a u-tube where a guy used some forceps on the little valve to bleed off gas pressure and claimed 100%. Haven't tried that yet, but plan to. Used them for our Buddy heaters, so we noticed how long they ran on the refills.

ETA

 
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There is a reason for the warning label about not transporting a refilled bottle.
It's probably been 20 years ago I was refilling these to take on camping trips, I'd put the little ones in the freezer so I could get them "full". About a week after a trip up Grandfather Mountain I opened the storage door on my motorhome to find two of these bottles swelled up, they were bulging at the top and bottom above and below the band in the middle, one of the scarcest looking things you will ever see. No I didn't take pictures I emptied them suckers out quick as I could and got rid of them, that warning comes with a $10,000 fine.

Yes I still refill I just don't put them in the deepfreeze and I don't take them up a mountain.

One thing to watch for: check for leaks after refilling I put a little spit on the hole (No @Chdamn) and watch for bubbles if one leaks I put it on the torch something so as not to loose the LP in a vehicle compartment.

Also be very careful with these or any LP on a boat LP is heavier than air so it sinks to the bilge and waits for a spark.
 
I used to fill forklift tanks there's a valve you open up that starts spitting at about 90% capacity that's when shut it off. The same idea would work here and if that guy was getting 100% then he was playing Russian roulette. I wouldn't refill past 90%ish
 
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It only takes seeing that swolted up little tank one time to change the way you think.
 
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I've been refilling the 1lb bottles since 1994 with the adapter on the left. I can't swear it's a safe practice, only that I am alive at this time.

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Do they work well? How do you judge the capacity of the small tank? I know it expands and needs room for that...

Tanks should be filled to between 80-85% capacity to allow for vapor space in the tank. Propane boils at -44 F. To raise the boiling point (BP) and keep the propane in a liquid state, pressure is required inside the tank. IIRC, once the pressure inside the tank reaches 120-130 PSI, it raises the BP of the propane to 70-80 F. Overfilled tanks do not allow for the vapor space/additional pressure required to raise the BP. On a hot summer day, with the tank being exposed to direct sunlight, the pressure inside the tank required to keep the product in a liquid state will rise. If the tank has been filled to more than 80-85% and there is insufficient pressure inside the tank to keep the propane in a liquid state, the pressure relief valve will open and allow venting of excess vapors. If for some reason or another this valve fails to activate, the tank will swell...not good.

Anyhoo, to check the levels and ensure the tank is not filled to more than 80-85%, you can pour hot water down the side of the tank, then run your hand down the side starting at the top. You should be able to feel a temperature difference between the vapor line/liquid line and you may even see a condensation line on the side of the tank. You can also use an IR thermometer to find the line.
 
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