Question for refilling propane tanks

[ticktoc]

I was thinking about starting  refill my own 1lb propane tanks.My question is if you hook the 20 pound tank up to the heater itself. There is a filter to hook up to it. All the videos I’ve watched nobody uses a filter to refill the one pan can.What’s the difference going from a 20 pound tank to a heater or using a 20 pound to refill a 1 pound unfiltered.

[Ole Polanski]

Howdy....  Not 100% sure but from readin other posts about refillin 1 lbders   is that you need a rubber/plastic hose from 20 to heater,   the gas breaks down the hose and whatever comes loose plugs up the heater jet thingys!  I'm sure you will get more thorough and scientic explanations but that's close!    Freeze the 1lb cans and warm the 20lb and turn it upside down to fill with liquid not vapor is what I've read but never personally done!  Be careful....O.P.

[fullThrottle]

You can buy refillable 1lb tanks. They work good

[Oldbear]

No hose is used refilling 1 lb ers.

[Baetis62]

Popcorn.... I refilled 1's and they worked great for me for a while...until one leaked and ignited in my hub one morning.  5lb'r or larger with the hose/filter setup on it is the only way to go for me.  Economical too.




 

[reelrusty]

I've been refilling 1 pounders from my twenties for over ten years and I've never had a significant problem. Did 18 of 'em about the last really warm day this fall getting ready for ice fishin. I only refill a canister a couple of times before disposing of them. Each one is weighed and weight is written on them. They stay outside in a cool shady place for a week or two and then are re-weighed. If they weigh less than marked weight they are leaking and stay outside 'til empty then disposed of. the rest go in the storage shed 'til ready to go fishin. I understand this isn't for everyone but I've saved what I feel is a pretty good chunk of change doing it.  Have a great season and stay safe!

[wyogator]

I use the 5 lb'r with hose/ filter setup. After the initial expense, you can save a chunk of change this way also.  I rode motorcycles for over 10 years, until my last close-call, and realized I don't have nine lives. I wouldn't chance the 1 lb refill. I have heard too many horror stories.

[tentwiststhick]

There is a refill adapter on the market for refilling 1lb disposable cylinders, it It costs about $20 at Harbor Freight. The 20 lb bulk tank has to be upside down for the process to properly work too. The trick is to have the upside down bulk tank securely placed. The tank valve must me readily accessible and easily turned along with enough clearance to fit the cylinder that is to be refilled. The 1lb disposable that is being refilled should be placed in the freezer for at least an hour before refilling or left out in subfreezing weather for a good while. The bulk tank should be warmer. The temperature differences between the two tanks allows the liquefied propane to behave properly in the transfer process. Having the bulk tank upside down allows the liquid propane to flow under its own pressure. If the 1lb cylinder gets to the overfill point it will vent excess gas via its built in safety release.
 Of course since this is a highly flammable, extremely volatile substance we're dealing with here, it should only be done outdoors. ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS with regard to ignition such as open flame, friction generated heat, static electricity discharge, sparks or smoking should be observed 125%. If all of this sounds to complex or dangerous then you're better off buying new disposable cylinders. One glitch that comes with a 1lb tank and extremely frigid  weather is a lack of or less pressure and it gets worse as the cylinder gets emptied or the temps keep getting lower.  This pressure drop is significant at 15 degrees F and lower. Once the shelter you're using the heater in gets warmer the pressure situation should right itself. The other solution which has already been mentioned in a prior post is to get a 5lb tank which can be refilled at a commercial location. The 5lb tank will last longer and when fuller is more immune to the low temperature low pressure issue mentioned here. I use a 5lb refillable tank for my heater. It's less hassle than the 1lb disposables by far. If you are intent on refilling, remember "SAFETY" should be rigorously applied. Stay warm!

[IPAinmyveins]

After the horror stories I've heard/ read from refilled tanks I just bought a good small tank (1 gallon) and a 10 ft hose...

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SKX63U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CFWF5U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[1moslab]

I have been doing it for awhile .never had a problem but than again I don't fill them up next to the fire smoking a cigarette .you don't have to have one warm or cold just get the adapter ,the are everywhere now the have them at Walmart ,flip the 25lb upside down and tilt it a little put the empty 1lb on open valve when it stops making noise I pull the little relief valve with hemos to get it clear full.i weigh mine.going to be doing some today.usually some propane comes out of the valve and it is very cold.i do it outside.

[IceholeFisherman]

Read this thread first. You can fill them a couple of times, but get a 5 pound tank and you won't regret it.   

  https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=349259.msg3719964#msg3719964 

Also look carefully at this picture. The top and bottom hemispheres are swelled. The weld band is normal size. This one was filled about 5 times. If you refill them, inspect them carefully. As for the seal, I spray a tiny bit of silicone into the neck at every fill. Keeps the seal in good shape and won't hurt the appliance. 




And you can refill the 5 pounder from a 20 pounder also. Its easier, safer, and in the long run, cheaper. Read the above link then make your decision. I still refill some 1 pounders, but not as often. Just for my lantern.

Take heed of the post I made about the Canadian research I referenced.  The metal used in those one pounders can't take too many expansions and contractions. 

[IceholeFisherman]

A side note on the 5 pounder.....
Instead of using a filter, I use an adjustable 20 psi regulator on the tank. The pressure is low enough that it won't leach oil from the hose.  And more then high enough to run a portable buddy.

AND....  I didn't like the idea of a hose with 150 psi or more of pressure in it sitting next to me in the shelter.  Seemed unnecessary.

[Mountain Maggot]

The motivation for refilling the 1 pounders is cost.  If you go to the local bait shop near a lake, it is not uncommon to see them at $6 each. I buy mine at Walmart during the summer by the case for $3 each.

Yeah it’s ecologically more considerate to recycle but the danger at least for me, just isn’t worth risk.  And BTW...I used to refill them.

 

[IceholeFisherman]

The motivation for refilling the 1 pounders is cost.  If you go to the local bait shop near a lake, it is not uncommon to see them at $6 each. I buy mine at Walmart during the summer by the case for $3 each.

Yeah it’s ecologically more considerate to recycle but the danger at least for me, just isn’t worth risk.  And BTW...I used to refill them.

 

Correct.
And proper disposal of the 1 pounder is more then the cost to make one. The REFILLABE one ponders are safe, and ecologically sound. They are pricey at $20 each. But you can refill them for 12 years before needing retested. I will eventually get a couple of refillables, but the 5 pounder made more sense for the heater.

[ticktoc]

Thanks for all the info it’s much appreciated