overfilling the propane tank January 28, 2005, 09:36:20 am Yahoo Message Number: 49989Hi gang, I have a question that some of you "very experienced RVers" might be able to help with. I meant to ask this last fall, and I checked the "searchable message" section to no avail. Also just finished reading on another site about someone who had this problem.The issue is over filling of the propane tank. I was under the impression that these newer tanks had some sort of overfill protection device that made it impossible to overfill the propane tank. Perhaps "impossible" is the wrong word to use, but I thought it was something unlikely to happen. Last fall, we stopped at a Flying J and bought propane. I watched the attendant fill someone's portable tank and suspected he was fairly inexperienced. After leaving the Flying J, we stopped at a rest area and I decided to check the gauge on the tank; the needle was pointing very close to the full mark, rather than the usual 75% mark like it normally would after filling. Possibly the attendant overfilled my tank, what should or could I have done?On the Born Free owner's site, someone just had the same problem. They made the comment that the person who filled their tank seemed like they had never done that before and said "Phew, sure glad that job is overwith" when finishing. That was their clue they had a problem. They ended up smelling propane and went somewhere to have the pressure released a couple days later.Apparently overfilling is possible or do I have a problem with my tanks overfill protection device(s)? What can the owner do to safely relieve pressure if they discover they have an overfilled tank?Thanks, Steve K.
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #1 – January 28, 2005, 11:00:28 am Yahoo Message Number: 49998nukamper2000 wrote:"The issue is over filling of the propane tank. I was under the impression that these newer tanks had some sort of overfill protection device that made it impossible to overfill the propane tank. Perhaps "impossible" is the wrong word to use, but I thought it was something unlikely to happen."Steve, the OPD is *supposed* to be idiot-proof and prevent overfilling of the propane tank; when the tank reaches about 80% capacity, the OPD should prevent entry of any more LPG into the tank. It's possible that the OPD on the tank in question is defective: these web site references provide the particulars: http://manchestertank.com/safety/scg_valves.htmhttp://manchestertank.com/safety/opd.htm http://www.scgmiyairi.com/wst_page5.htmlI put your question to a very experienced RV tech and "gas guru" who runs the RV tech program at a trade school in BC; he's out of the office until Monday, but when he replies, I'll post his answer.Many RVers feel differently about this, I understand, but IMO, filling up with propane is best done at a propane supplier's outlet; the chances of getting an untrained, unskilled, and careless person is much less at a propane supplier's than at a campground or a gas station. (I've seen some pretty scary things at each of these locations!) Here are web sites for locations of major propane suppliers:www.suburbanpropane.com/consumer/locator/index.htmlwww.amerigas.com/locationfinder_Retail.htmlwww.ferrellgas.com/CompanyDirectory.aspYou might also google "OPD" and "LPG" for more information.Joan
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #2 – January 28, 2005, 11:13:24 am Yahoo Message Number: 50001Quoteruns the RV tech program at a trade school in BC; he's out of the office until Monday, but when he replies, I'll post his answer.Many RVers feel differently about this, I understand, but IMO, filling up with propane is best done at a propane supplier's outlet; the chances of getting an untrained, unskilled, and careless person > is much less at a propane supplier's than at a campground or a gas Quotestation. (I've seen some pretty scary things at each of these locations!) Here are web sites for locations of major propane suppliers: Hi Joan, thanks for researching for me. I will have to check those resources, but I will be curious as to the reply you get from your expert.I figured, (assumed, don't you hate that word) that a volume place like Flying J would know what they are doing and would have well trained attendants. I thought maybe it was a fluke occurance, but after reading the BF owners plight and also that of someone else on this board who had a problem with propane fill up on his way home from picking up the LD; it may be more common than thought.Thanks again, Steve K
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #3 – January 28, 2005, 12:38:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 50009QuoteThe issue is over filling of the propane tank. I was under the impression that these newer tanks had some sort of overfill protection device that made it impossible to overfill the propane tank. Perhaps "impossible" is the wrong word to use, but I thought It should not be possible to overfill an OPD-equipped tank. I suspect many operators simply stop filling at the first sign of vapor in the pressure release valve. This wastes less fuel and causes less polution in a notoriously environmentally 'dirty' process. The result might be a less than optimally filled tank, though. The 'full' indicator would hopefully be set for max allowable for the tank - not brim-full.Steve
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #4 – January 28, 2005, 01:40:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 50012Steve and others The "full" mark on the propane tank gage indeed reads on the amount of chargeable liquid - it reads "full" when the tank is physically 80% full.Gus Weber
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #5 – January 28, 2005, 02:11:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 50014QuoteThe "full" mark on the propane tank gage indeed reads on the amount of chargeable liquid - it reads "full" when the tank is physically 80% full.I got those same words from Steve at the factory and, if memory serves, people have reported 100% readings when filled to the vent. However, our propane tank's gauge apparently is in error. It reads about 75% when the tank has been filled to the vent. I decided to live with it instead of trying to get it fixed with unknown results. From what I have read on this site, there apparently are more tanks like mine out there. I haven't read of any that read more than 100% when full to the vent, though.Linley
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #6 – January 28, 2005, 02:13:53 pm Yahoo Message Number: 50015QuoteThe "full" mark on the propane tank gage indeed reads on the amount of chargeable liquid - it reads "full" when the tank is physically 80% full.I don't find the gauge on our tank to be very accurate. It never seems to read full and seems to hold 2-3 gallons when the gauge is nearing "E". I know it is getting filled, because you can hear the pump on the filling tank start to strain when the OPD float valve closes (could be the valve closing too soon).Art
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #7 – January 28, 2005, 04:42:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 50022wrote: The "full" mark on the propane tank gage indeed reads on the amount of chargeable liquid - it reads "full" when the tank is physically 80% full."lfgcfg" wrote: I got those same words from Steve at the factory and, if memory serves, people have reported 100% readings when filled to the vent. However, our propane tank's gauge apparently is in error. It reads about 75% when the tank has been filled to the vent.... From what I have read on this site, there apparently are more tanks like mine out there.My gauge reads "3/4" when the tank is filled to 75%-80%; I have never seen it read "Full". I keep wishing for gauges and readouts which show the *number of gallons* of fuel, grey and black tank content, and propane in the tanks instead of fractions and the unknown territory between them.Joan
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #8 – January 28, 2005, 06:10:27 pm Yahoo Message Number: 50031QuoteMy gauge reads "3/4" when the tank is filled to 75%-80%; I have never seen it read "Full". I keep wishing for gauges and readouts which show the *number of gallons* of fuel, grey and black tank content, and propane in the tanks instead of fractions and the unknown territory between them.Joan Joan: The problem with filling the tanks is that the tell tale valve which releases liquid when the tank is 80% full, is not used properly. As soon as a little liquid comes out, most operators shut off the propane, leaving the tank less than 80% full. Once, I was able to convince an operator to fill until the cutoff occurred, and by that time the tell tale valve was no longer intermittantly letting off gas, but was nearly steady liquid. I then realized most tank refills were less than 80%.Gus Weber
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #9 – January 28, 2005, 09:39:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 50050Our inside propane "gauge" reads full most of the time. Even now at night when the outside gauge read somewhat more than 1/4 full.best, paul
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #10 – January 29, 2005, 10:40:19 am Yahoo Message Number: 50086Quote Our inside propane "gauge" reads full most of the time. Even now at night when the outside gauge read somewhat more than 1/4 full.best, paul Hi (best)Paul! Are you saying that all the lights are lit up when your tank is 1/4 full? I seem to remember that someone, I'm not saying it was you though, was reading their monitor incorrectly, thinking if the lights were off the tanks were full.Regarding overfilling the propane, I am now even more confused by what the gauge on the tank should read when the tank is full. I am pretty sure it should never read full on the gauge, but .....? I've had my tank filled about 5 times previously, to the point where all the lights on the monitor were lit up, but they tank gauge never read more than a little over the 75% mark. Until this last fill up which I am questioning.Hope we get some authoritative answer from JC's expert. Steve K.
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #11 – January 29, 2005, 10:05:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 50125Quote Our inside propane "gauge" reads full most of the time. Even now at night when the outside gauge read somewhat more than 1/4 full.Hi (best)Paul! Are you saying that all the lights are lit up when your tank is 1/4 full? Yup. Although I have seen the inside display at 2/3 recently. I suspect it might be related to temperature.QuoteI seem to remember that someone, I'm not saying it was you though, was reading their monitor incorrectly, thinking if the lights were off the tanks were full. Yup. Something like that was me (about water tanks). Not on propane. As I read the propane inside display all 4 lights lit means a full tank. All 4 lights on my inside propane display are lit. Outside says somewhat more than 1/4 full. Not close. No cigar. No baseball cap.QuoteRegarding overfilling the propane, I am now even more confused by what the gauge on the tank should read when the tank is full. Here in San Felipe it's not much of a problem since we use so little propane (even with baking over holidays). We "filled up" with propane here in San Felipe Oct 15 or so - 3.5 months ago - and still have 1/4+ tank left. We'll probably fill up here when we leave at the end of Feb (after the San Felipe 250). With baking I did see the outside tank drop from 3/8+ full to 1/4+ full. So I know the outside gauge is working. How accurate? Who knows?best, paul
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #12 – February 01, 2005, 09:46:19 am Yahoo Message Number: 50225Quote Steve, the OPD is *supposed* to be idiot-proof and prevent overfilling of the propane tank; when the tank reaches about 80% capacity, the OPD should prevent entry of any more LPG into the tank. It's possible that the OPD on the tank in question is defective: I put your question to a very experienced RV tech and "gas guru" who runs the RV tech program at a trade school in BC; he's out of the office until Monday, but when he replies, I'll post his answer.Joan, did you get a reply from your friend the RV "gas guru"? I'm curious as to what a trained expert has to say about this. Thanks.Steve K.
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #13 – February 01, 2005, 09:55:11 am Yahoo Message Number: 50227nukamper2000 wrote: Joan, did you get a reply from your friend the RV "gas guru"? I'm curious as to what a trained expert has to say about this. Thanks.No, he hasn't replied yet. I sent an "addendum" about purging, too. If I don't hear from him in a day or so, I'll email again. I'll post when he replies.Joan
Re: overfilling the propane tank Reply #14 – February 01, 2005, 10:09:05 am Yahoo Message Number: 50229QuoteNo, he hasn't replied yet. I sent an "addendum" about purging, too. If I don't hear from him in a day or so, I'll email again. I'll post when he replies.Joan Thanks again JC. I'll appreciate any info you receive.Steve K.
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