SHTF ... how to refil BBQ sized propane cans?

CPO TED · 12-06-2010, 11:26 AM

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

When/If SHTF there will be a LOT of propane stored in underground containers.

Is there a way to refill the BBQ sized containers from IN-GROUND tanks?

I ALREADY KNOW THAT THERE IS A WAY TO FILL THE LITTLE ONE POUNDERS FROM BBQ TANKS.

T

lsmurphy · 12-06-2010, 11:28 AM

It needs to be pressurized via a pump....otherwise pressures will simply equalize and nothing will transfer...so my logic says.

Scott

LuzRD · 12-06-2010, 11:29 AM

excellent question! i think its a matter of having the correct plumbing to get at least a partial fill.
as i recall propane is stored as a liquid, its under some pressure so would just hooking the BBQ tank to the larger tank result in a complete fill? or would a booster be needed?

ambivolent · 12-06-2010, 11:35 AM

Its been a few years since i filled propane tanks If I remember correctly the tanks are under pressure and you need a special fitting to fill the tank and you open the tank being filled valve then open the valve on the filler tank and watch the tank being filled till the pressure release valve kicks or something like that ohh and wear gloves it gets pretty cold

KernelKrink · 12-06-2010, 11:40 AM

Most tanks are designed to deliver gas, not liquid. The tap is at the top in the gas area, you need a tap or dip tube submerged under the liquid to deliver the liquid. If you completely drain a smaller tank, then refill with liquid the pressure will eventually equalize and stop flowing, most likely before it is full. Better than empty though. Temp is also a big factor, below freezing the pressure drops substantially, in fact Butane powered portable stoves won't shoot gas out at all under sub-freezing conditions.

On the bigger tanks like power forklifts and such, or permanent tanks under an RV, you have a small plug you can loosen that sits at the full liquid level. You open it while filling then shut the fill off when it spits liquid out. On BBQ grill tanks all I ever see the fill guy do is put it on a scale as he fills and stops when full weight is in there.

12-06-2010, 11:26 AM	#1
CPO TED Curio & Relic AKaholic #: 6044 Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6,639	SHTF ... how to refil BBQ sized propane cans? Desperate times call for desperate measures. When/If SHTF there will be a LOT of propane stored in underground containers. Is there a way to refill the BBQ sized containers from IN-GROUND tanks? I ALREADY KNOW THAT THERE IS A WAY TO FILL THE LITTLE ONE POUNDERS FROM BBQ TANKS. T __________________ You want to “TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL”???? http://www.resistnet.com/ http://www.the912project.com/ http://www.freedomworks.org/ There’s three ideas … join one. Stand UP … SHOW UP!!!

12-06-2010, 11:28 AM	#2
lsmurphy Amerika Sux AKaholic #: 6789 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lost Posts: 24,225	It needs to be pressurized via a pump....otherwise pressures will simply equalize and nothing will transfer...so my logic says. Scott __________________ Ecclesiastes 1:13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!

12-06-2010, 11:29 AM	#3
LuzRD Curio & Relic AKaholic #: 4918 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New (and improved) Hampshire Posts: 2,880	excellent question! i think its a matter of having the correct plumbing to get at least a partial fill. as i recall propane is stored as a liquid, its under some pressure so would just hooking the BBQ tank to the larger tank result in a complete fill? or would a booster be needed? __________________ www.whenshtf.com

12-06-2010, 11:35 AM	#4
ambivolent On hiatus AKaholic #: 10544 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,256	Its been a few years since i filled propane tanks If I remember correctly the tanks are under pressure and you need a special fitting to fill the tank and you open the tank being filled valve then open the valve on the filler tank and watch the tank being filled till the pressure release valve kicks or something like that ohh and wear gloves it gets pretty cold __________________ ¶▅c●▄███████\|\|▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅\|\|█~ ~:~:~ :~ :► ▄██ ▲ █ █ ██▅▄▃▂ ███▲ ▲ █ █ ███████ ███████████████████████► ◥☼▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙☼◤ Check out our Pay It Forward thread: http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61052 As of 1/21/11 PIF 40/OUT 24/IN

12-06-2010, 11:40 AM	#5
KernelKrink Curio & Relic AKaholic #: 2036 Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,541	Most tanks are designed to deliver gas, not liquid. The tap is at the top in the gas area, you need a tap or dip tube submerged under the liquid to deliver the liquid. If you completely drain a smaller tank, then refill with liquid the pressure will eventually equalize and stop flowing, most likely before it is full. Better than empty though. Temp is also a big factor, below freezing the pressure drops substantially, in fact Butane powered portable stoves won't shoot gas out at all under sub-freezing conditions. On the bigger tanks like power forklifts and such, or permanent tanks under an RV, you have a small plug you can loosen that sits at the full liquid level. You open it while filling then shut the fill off when it spits liquid out. On BBQ grill tanks all I ever see the fill guy do is put it on a scale as he fills and stops when full weight is in there. Last edited by KernelKrink; 12-06-2010 at 11:45 AM.

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