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Old 03-14-2013, 10:21 AM   #1
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When should Propane tanks be filled?

We had our Propane tank filled in Arizona last winter, and one of the residents painted a real horror story about how bad it is to ever let your propane supply fall below a certain level...something about having to purge the tank...not sure I understood completely. Now, my tank is 2/3 full and my wife is, shall I say, concerned. What happens if I let it go completely empty? When should I fill it to avoid a hassle ? Is this really a problem ?
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Old 03-14-2013, 10:29 AM   #2
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2/3, 1/3 dosen't matter, anyhing but empty is fine. That way you keep air out of the line. Even if it goes empty, just might take a few more tries to get heater going.
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Old 03-14-2013, 10:34 AM   #3
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Fill it when it becomes empty. Unless your a MH with a frame mounted tank. Then I would fill around 1/4 to 1/3 so I did not run out.
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Old 03-14-2013, 10:47 AM   #4
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Hi michguy,
I fill the tank when it gets to 1/4 and it is convenient to do so. It is a closed system under pressure. There should be no problems unless you get a bad fill.
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Old 03-14-2013, 10:51 AM   #5
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Hi michguy,
I fill the tank when it gets to 1/4 and it is convenient to do so. It is a closed system under pressure. There should be no problems unless you get a bad fill.
Never heard of a bad propane fill, but would like to avoid it if possible. What is it?
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Old 03-14-2013, 10:59 AM   #6
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It's when too much oil is in the propane supply. Over time, it will get into the regulator. Drove me nuts until the regulator finally clogged enough so nothing worked. When disassembled there will be a slight (like sewing machine oil) residue coming out of the regulator.
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Old 03-14-2013, 11:19 AM   #7
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This is one of those tales that sits beside:

not putting toilet paper down the toilet. :eww:

Using other than Transynd in an Allison. :yikes:

Running on old tires that still look good.
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Old 03-14-2013, 11:27 AM   #8
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I thought that purging was just to get excessive air out of the tank and was only required on the first fill. The tanks now being sold at our stores in this area all claim to be prepurged and in most cases are bring sold full of propane.
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Old 03-14-2013, 12:55 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michguy View Post
We had our Propane tank filled in Arizona last winter, and one of the residents painted a real horror story about how bad it is to ever let your propane supply fall below a certain level...something about having to purge the tank...not sure I understood completely. Now, my tank is 2/3 full and my wife is, shall I say, concerned. What happens if I let it go completely empty? When should I fill it to avoid a hassle ? Is this really a problem ?
I can't answer your question, but sure would like to know the answer. I have let mine fall below half a couple times with no ill effects. I always used to let each tank run dry on the fiver and it would auto switch to full tank then I would fill the empty one. No problems there either, but the MH has only one big tank and if you run out, you are out.
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Old 03-14-2013, 01:04 PM   #10
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Empty or 1/2 doesn't matter. We have a propane tank for the house and have at times run it empty. No issue with filling. You still have to bleed the air off just like after you turn them off. I usually fill my RV tank when it becomes 1/4 full. My last MH we filled the tank when we first got it and 2 years latter when we sold it it had 1/2 of a tank. JMHO
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Old 03-14-2013, 01:16 PM   #11
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Propane tanks only need to be purged for three reasons: the tank is new; you have updated the valve on your tank; or you opened the valve on an older tank. Tanks need to be purged because air has somehow entered the tank. Air contains moisture, which is not a good combination with propane. When new tanks are transported, they are purposely loaded with air to help maintain the correct balance of pressure when shipping over various altitudes.
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Old 03-14-2013, 03:35 PM   #12
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When new tanks are transported, they are purposely loaded with air to help maintain the correct balance of pressure when shipping over various altitudes.
Could you provide links to your information? That does not sound logical to me.
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Old 03-14-2013, 03:49 PM   #13
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filling propane

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Originally Posted by Ray,IN View Post
Could you provide links to your information? That does not sound logical to me.
I didn't believe it, either. But check this out:

Purging new Cylinders and Tanks

makes more sense now. Thanks to all.

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Old 03-14-2013, 05:11 PM   #14
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I apologize Binne. I've been a member here since 2001 and learn something every time I log-in here. Thanks for the link GL. I've known Derek for many years, and he always backs up what he says with proof. I've never read that page before though.
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