How to fill propane to 80% ??

[wfcentral]

we have a KZ-Vision 22BHS. It has two larger propane tanks in the front. Labels say to refill - do not swap. I'm told they are 30# tanks. Another label also says to only fill to 80% capacity... do not overfill.

There is not a gauge inside to tell you how full they are. The dealer said to just keep one tank turned off and then when you run out of propane and manually switch over you know it's time.

So, this will be our first time trying to refill the tank since the first tank has run dry and we are now on the last tank. We are planning to go to Flying J and get it filled. Just curious how they will know when it is 80% full? Is it basically just me saying "okay - I'm pretty sure it's empty and 80% of 30 is 24 so put 24 gallons in it"

[HarleyOutlaw]

I'm working in a campground and this is how it works here.

I connect the fill hose to the tank, open the tank valve, open the fill hose valve, then with a screw driver open a vent on the tank next to the valve. Gas vents out as it fills. When liquid comes out of the vent it's full. At that time the fill valve automatically shuts off as well.

Other places may use a scale and go by weight but the system here seems to work very well.

[wfcentral]

Originally Posted by HarleyOutlaw

I'm working in a campground and this is how it works here.

I connect the fill hose to the tank, open the tank valve, open the fill hose valve, then with a screw driver open a vent on the tank next to the valve. Gas vents out as it fills. When liquid comes out of the vent it's full. At that time the fill valve automatically shuts off as well.

Other places may use a scale and go by weight but the system here seems to work very well.

ok - but that sounds like 100% full? my tanks say to only fill to 80%.

[dennis45]

The tanks are designed to vent off liquid at 80%.

[wfcentral]

Originally Posted by dennis45

The tanks are designed to vent off liquid at 80%.

thanks - I just watched a video on youtube as well and that is kinda what I was thinking - just wanted to get a confirmation before I end up someplace with someone telling me "this is how it is" or "that's the way we do it here"

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by wfcentral

thanks - I just watched a video on youtube as well and that is kinda what I was thinking - just wanted to get a confirmation before I end up someplace with someone telling me "this is how it is" or "that's the way we do it here"

Good plan. There are regulations restricting who is allowed to fill propane tanks for obvious safety reasons but I have seen some places that have a person who is clearly not trained filling these tanks.
So, for your protection, you should watch the person filling to make sure the tank is not overfilled. The vent Must be open during filling and the fill pump shut off when the liquid starts to squirt out. If they go by weight, make sure the scale is reset to the correct value before filling and the pump shut off when the scale tips.
Overfilling can be hazardous particularly during hot weather. I have seen a propane bottle explode while laying in the sun. Not a pretty site.
Some will say the tank is designed to vent over pressure. But, if it's overfilled to begin with, the vent may not be sufficient to handle the volume.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by HarleyOutlaw

I'm working in a campground and this is how it works here.
I connect the fill hose to the tank, open the tank valve, open the fill hose valve, then with a screw driver open a vent on the tank next to the valve. Gas vents out as it fills. When liquid comes out of the vent it's full. At that time the fill valve automatically shuts off as well.
Other places may use a scale and go by weight but the system here seems to work very well.

Originally Posted by wfcentral

ok - but that sounds like 100% full? my tanks say to only fill to 80%.

wfcentral
When liquid comes out of that vent the tank is at the correct 80% full level.
However since whomever is doing the filling will know how to properly fill your LP tanks.....that it is not something you need to know, (or worry about).

[sprayman]

a 30# tank holds about 7 gallons i'll stand corrected.

Jim

[twinboat]

The tank is designed to only accept 80%. The OPD, ( overfill protection valve ), will prevent it from going over.

Most places meter the gas and charge by the gallon.

[krivanj]

I just had flying J fill my propane tank in my class A and the fellow doing it insisted that that the vent should stay closed. When the pump kicked off, I had about 75% full. I let it go, but knew he didn't know what he was really doing. He told me nobody had trained him at flying J

[twinboat]

You don't have to vent them. The gas will compress back to liquid as the space in the tank decreases.

My gauge says 75% when full, vented or not. Remember it only takes 80%

[Chuck_Hammer]

a 30 pound tank is 25 pounds Empty.


a 30 pound tank at 80 percent full is 53 pounds.
if over 55 its overfilled. (RARE). defective vent valve. OR operator with NO Knowledge.


I store a digital bathroom scale on trailer.. I know the amount of propane I have on hand. Twin 30 pound tanks.

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by wfcentral

There is not a gauge inside to tell you how full they are. The dealer said to just keep one tank turned off and then when you run out of propane and manually switch over you know it's time.

I still don't get this, and I see a lot of people say this is how they do it. I have a switching regulator. When the primary tank goes dry, it switches to the other tank, and raises a red flag on the regulator. All I have to do is check it every couple of days. Then, when it switches, I set the full tank to be primary (basically turn a knob on the regulator), disconnect the empty tank, and go get it refilled at my leisure. No 4:00 AM trips out to switch tanks!

Roger

[LunchBox69]

That is the Bruce Hornsby answer. that's just the way it is...