[npwalters]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

coffeebean....10 years is the max for propane tanks for safety. I hope yours doesn't explode.

Yep, a stupid federal government regulation based solely on age with no regard to condition.

I recently tried to refill my 40 pound RV tank at Ace. They couldn't do it because it was 2 months past the 10 year cutoff. The tank has always been stored in the RV compartment and looks like new. Had to pay a place in Bellview $25 bucks to recertify it.

[ton80]

Originally Posted by WingedFoot78

Today, I filled my completely empty tank at Ace in Wildwood. It took 4.5 gal @ $4.39 per gal for $19.76. I have two tanks since I ran out during a long cook. I also use Ace to fill the propane tank on my RV.

WingedFoot,

Just looking at the 4.5 gallon LPG fill in a 5 gallon tank would suggest that the tank is filled beyond the 80% max fill point. I do not believe that the tank was overfilled.
I believe that at least 0.5 gallon of LPG was used to purge the new tank to make it suitable for LPG use. The discussion below provides the logic and background information.

Reading between the lines, I believe that your "completely empty tank" was a new never used in LPG service 5 gallon tank. New tanks are usually shipped filled with compressed air. They need to be purged of air and filled with LPG vapor before they can be filled with LPG liquid.

I assume that ACE has procedures to do the purging using vapor LPG and follows them. I also assume that your tank is equipped with an Overfill Protection Device (OPD) which is required on the LPG tank. This can be verified by reading all of the stamped information on the LPG tank or more easily by looking at the tank on/off valve handle. The correct OPD handle is "triangular looking" and has 3 lobes on the handle.

My suggestion is to check the handle to verify OPD is there. If you have questions send me a PM

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by ton80

WingedFoot,

Just looking at the 4.5 gallon LPG fill in a 5 gallon tank would suggest that the tank is filled beyond the 80% max fill point. I do not believe that the tank was overfilled.
I believe that at least 0.5 gallon of LPG was used to purge the new tank to make it suitable for LPG use. The discussion below provides the logic and background information.

Reading between the lines, I believe that your "completely empty tank" was a new never used in LPG service 5 gallon tank. New tanks are usually shipped filled with compressed air. They need to be purged of air and filled with LPG vapor before they can be filled with LPG liquid.

I assume that ACE has procedures to do the purging using vapor LPG and follows them. I also assume that your tank is equipped with an Overfill Protection Device (OPD) which is required on the LPG tank. This can be verified by reading all of the stamped information on the LPG tank or more easily by looking at the tank on/off valve handle. The correct OPD handle is "triangular looking" and has 3 lobes on the handle.

My suggestion is to check the handle to verify OPD is there. If you have questions send me a PM

I wonder if that is correct.

A 20lb propane tank is marked with a capacity of 47.6lbs of water
47.6lbs = 5.95 gals of water
5.95 gals water = 0.79 cu ft
0.79 cu ft = 24.4 lbs propane
80% of 24.4 lbs propane = 19.54 lbs propane (Perhaps "20lbs" *is* the 80% mark)
19.54 lbs propane = 4.75 gals.

A tank marked as holding 47.6lbs of water should be 80% full with 4.7gals of propane.

In any case, I don't care how much they put in as long as I'm paying by the gallon. 15lbs (3.6gals) in a BlueRhino for $23 (guess) would be about $6.38/gal compared to $4.39/gal at ACE. However, there is a lot to be said for the convenience of just exchanging tanks.

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

Most Ace Hardware stores refill but not the Ace on 441 at Avenida Central. I went over there on a Sunday ( because the Ace on Wedgewood is closed) ASSUMING they filled LP tanks and left very disappointed!

Update on this post! I was at the Ace in Spanish Springs area today and they now have signs stating LEAVE YOUR PROPANE TANK OUTSIDE . Assuming they have gotten approved to fill propane tanks there now

[Jpetraus]

Do you still have your tank for sale? How old is it? Any rust on it?

Originally Posted by Birdwatch

I have a tank for sale $30. Good condition and partially filled. You can take a look and decide. Good deal for $30.00
Djfelt66@gmail.com