Propane PSA..

[Ice Scratcher]

A few weeks ago my buddy had his 10lb tank filled on his way to go fishing..

When he showed up he told me how his tank started leaking as he was driving there.. I told him they might have been so full that after warming up in his truck the pressure release valve may have let go...

Did I learn from that? No... Never happened to me and my 10lb tank in over 10 years..

Just the other day I had my 5lb tank filled, it was really cold out.. I drove around for a couple errands with the heat on and was sitting in a parking spot finishing up my smoke before I went inside.. All of a sudden POP! PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSS.. Spraying right at me and my lit cigarette! Scared the crap out of me! I immediately jumped out of my jeep and left the door open. Ran around to the other side and grabbed the tank out.. Best case scenario as nothing bad happened.. It took about ten minutes for the pressure valve to completely shut, but for a second, a LOT of gas was coming out!! Glad I wasn't lighting my cigarette at the time!!

Just something to think about when your tank is filled, especially on a really cold day and you have a long drive to the lake!!! 

<*)))>{

[JonPerry]

Another good reason to not transport explosive gases in the passenger compartment, don't ya think?

[Ice Scratcher]

Another good reason to not transport explosive gases in the passenger compartment, don't ya think?

Its a Jeep Commander, no bed no trunk..

Actually would rather know it was going off than have it letting loose under a truck cap or in a trunk..

<*)))>{

[IFF]

I wouldn't have any hair left to stand up !

[IceSkak]

A few weeks ago my buddy had his 10lb tank filled on his way to go fishing..

When he showed up he told me how his tank started leaking as he was driving there.. I told him they might have been so full that after warming up in his truck the pressure release valve may have let go...

Did I learn from that? No... Never happened to me and my 10lb tank in over 10 years..

Just the other day I had my 5lb tank filled, it was really cold out.. I drove around for a couple errands with the heat on and was sitting in a parking spot finishing up my smoke before I went inside.. All of a sudden POP! PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSS.. Spraying right at me and my lit cigarette! Scared the chit out of me! I immediately jumped out of my jeep and left the door open. Ran around to the other side and grabbed the tank out.. Best case scenario as nothing bad happened.. It took about ten minutes for the pressure valve to completely shut, but for a second, a LOT of gas was coming out!! Glad I wasn't lighting my cigarette at the time!!

Just something to think about when your tank is filled, especially on a really cold day and you have a long drive to the lake!!! 

<*)))>{Why would you be finishing up a cig with a propane tank in the vehicle, and then state that you were glad you weren't lighting your smoke. Sorry I don't feel sorry for ya!

[tracksnorth]

Wow that's rough

[Ice Scratcher]

Why would you be finishing up a cig with a propane tank in the vehicle, and then state that you were glad you weren't lighting your smoke. Sorry I don't feel sorry for ya!

I'll kill myself any which way I feel suits me that day....

I wasn't asking for your sympathy... Kiss off!

<*)))>{

[redsoctober19]

Good new is a cigarette is not hit enough to ignite propane,  lighter or matches yes but not the cigarette.  On another note should never transport in any enclosed vehicle

[Ice Scratcher]

  On another note should never transport in any enclosed vehicle

That is the best case advise for sure!

My Jeep is a SUV and I see a lot of SUVs and cars in the lake access lots around here at least 50% have some sort of propane on board... One step further is the exchange tanks at the gas stations (I don't use those) there is actually a lot of propane tanks not transported in the open air..

I just wanted to let folks know that a tank filled to the top in the cold may let off pressure when warmed some. I imagine they might even "pop off" in a warm shanty too, next to a heater could have quite the fire...

<*)))>{

[adkRoy]

That's something I'm sure most people don't think about. Thanks for sharing.

[John_BZ]

That is the exact reason a cylinder should never be filled over 80 % full. Propane is a refrigerant(hc 290).  As with any refrigerant there is a given pressure for a given temperature. At 0 F the tank will be at around 24 psi. At 70 f the tank will be at 110 psi.  At 150 f it is at about 330 psi. Moral to the story is a full tank with no vapor head space will act against the cylinder instead of compress against the cushion. A refrigerant cylinder cannot handle that kind of hydraulic pressure.

[nicksmurf111]

Did the tank have an OPD valve?  They are supposed to shut off so the attendent can't overfill the tank.  But I guess that they can still expand enough at that temperature difference!

BTW, do you like the 5 and 10lb tanks?  They cost significantly more than a regular barbecue sized tank, but I guess they would be a lot easier to lug around on the ice.

[John_BZ]

The opd float valve operates like a toilet float  valve.if the valve is sticky or slow to operate it will allow the tank to slightly overfill. Another safety is the manual valve will blow vapor until the tank is at 80. It will then blow liquid to let the attendant know it's full and to purge the tank. A third safety is the tank should be filled on a scale. I've had tanks filled where they do these things. I've had tanks filled where they fill it until the pump deadheads. No scale used and purge shut. Completely relying on the opd valve to properly fill the tank.

[nicksmurf111]

My opinion is, if you know you are going to be in the scenario that you will be camping with the tank in the back of your vehicle, specifically ask them to fill  it to around 70%, and only pay them base on how many gallons the meter says.  I've heard plenty of times of OPD valves not working.  I've even had one, from an exchange, that didn't shut off.

[fowl_language]

I have an SUV and yes it rides with me.  I'm not going to hook up my trailer for one 5# propane tank...

I have a 5# and love it, 1.25 gallons or so and small and compact, real easy to tote around it negates the weight of the big buddy.  Never had the attendant weigh at filling before, always goes to max fill and lets the machine bleed it off. I will have to ask about getting it to 80% next time! Good to know!

Glad you're ok Scratcher, I would have pee'd myself and left that tank on the side of the road!

[Ice Scratcher]

Did the tank have an OPD valve?  They are supposed to shut off so the attendent can't overfill the tank.  But I guess that they can still expand enough at that temperature difference!

BTW, do you like the 5 and 10lb tanks?  They cost significantly more than a regular barbecue sized tank, but I guess they would be a lot easier to lug around on the ice.

The guy and gal that fills my tanks open a valve with a screwdriver and fill the tanks till liquid comes out...

I have been enjoying my 10lb tank for a long time, it is set up to hold my heater and lantern, when inside my shanty I can also run a second lantern out the door too to light up the ice for crappie at night...



The lantern is the light in this picture (night time)



Day time..



Inside my FX100 one man flip...



<*)))>{

The 5lb tank I bought at a garage sale for $1, about ten years ago.. This was the first time I had it filled. It fits under the bench of my new one man flip perfect although I have not really had the chance to use it.. The last three times I took my shanty I still sat outside in front of my 10lb...

[Ice Scratcher]

Glad you're ok Scratcher, I would have pee'd myself and left that tank on the side of the road!

Thanks man! That's why when I jumped out of my truck, I left my one door open.. As to not create a pressurized situation..

Just as an example, say it goes off in your trunk and you don't know about it.. The switch that triggers your trunk light to come on could have enough spark to blow the whole damn trunk lid off and maybe your face along with it...

<*)))>{

[nicksmurf111]

The 5lb tank I bought at a garage sale for $1, about ten years ago..

Darn, it's surprising what one can find for give-a-way prices sometimes.  I've gotten a few 20lb tanks off the side of the road, and paid $5 for another.  Last 2 I bought were $13 which is a fair price.  I decided to have a stack of them available for emergency heat.  You don't run across 5 and 10#ers every day.

[Ice Scratcher]

I have an SUV and yes it rides with me.  I'm not going to hook up my trailer for one 5# propane tank...

^ That I exactly why I wrote this post..

There are a lot of us hardwater diehards that have a family and little ones too.. Also gotta keep the groceries dry.. Also gotta keep the everyone safe.. Also gotta have some supa bad 4X4 to get in and out of certain accesses. When money is tight, some of us have try a combine all these things into one purchase = SUV

<*)))>{

[Ice Scratcher]

Darn, it's surprising what one can find for give-a-way prices sometimes.  I've gotten a few 20lb tanks off the side of the road, and paid $5 for another.  Last 2 I bought were $13 which is a fair price.  I decided to have a stack of them available for emergency heat.  You don't run across 5 and 10#ers every day.

Funny you mention that... The place I get mine filled it had a nice newer looking 5lb sitting in their pile of rejects..

I asked about it, he said it had a bad valve, and a re-valve costs $25 and its not worth it.. I said those tanks are about $50, he said if I paid for a new valve and had them install it for the $25 I could have it.. I'm still thinking about getting it, a nice new looking 5lb with a new valve for $25 out the door is still a great price IMO...

<*)))>{