I'm noticing that my propane tanks sometimes just shut off flow. I also noted that the new OPD tanks cannot release gas without having a fitting screwed in. But at times, the pressure drops to zero, and then when I shut off all the valves, it comes out again. Is that pressure protection device of some sort?
Steve
Welcome to Propane... :-)
The pressure gage on a propane tank is not functional. Propane will self regulate from vapor to liquid.
Flow is good. The tank likely got cold and pressure dropped as it turned to liquid based on the pressure/temp of the tank.
The tank likely was getting frosty on the outside. I have been known to put tanks into buckets of water or wet them down to rid the ice.
OPD is the save the dumbest person on earth connector. I say burn them!
Sounds like you are using small BBQ size tanks - a 5' sized.
I have a chest high - or 3x or 4x sized tank that is the commercial nozzle. That size is the smallest I could buy - forklift is smaller but expensive.
If you weld or braze - you likely want the full pressure, flow and larger tank.
Martin
Mart> I'm noticing that my propane tanks sometimes just shut off flow. I also
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Sometimes the float inside the tank gets stuck and shuts off the output.
I've found that if I crank the valve open too fast it will shut off flow . Something to do with that OPD device . I just shut it off and crack it open slower . -- Snag
Heck the OPD tanks I have don't even seem to work well for my BBQ grill. I just scrounged up a 100 pound tank to use because they can still fill those with the older style valve that WORKS.
I have also heard that propane tanks used for cutting purposes can be the old ones. Heard people painting and writing "FOR CUTTING ONLY" on them, and the gas people filling them up. Anyone else?
Steve
Never heard that one.
You can go to a propane dealer and buy a 30 gallon or 4' thereabouts
3-4 bbq size. And it is a open (old) type. It is called commercial. Those and fork lift bottles are the smallest. Fork lift are expensive.I have one outside my shop I use with Oxygen to braze with and to drive my furnace. I play for fun with Al or Bronze. Haven't tried it in this house yet - busy making targets.
Martin
Mart>>> Ernie Leimkuhler wrote:
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I heard it early on when the OPD's were coming in. It'd be worth asking. Next time I take mine to my refiller, I'll ask.
BTW, I did see them filling a tall tank the other day. About 48" tall and
18" in dia. From the looks of it, it wasn't an OPD, but didn't really look at the valve at the time. OPDs have a triangular handle on them. I'll ask and post back.Steve
OPD valves only apply to residential tanks in the smaller sizes. Any tank used for commercial purposes is exempt from the OPD rules.
However some suppliers have a blanket policy on OPDs for all small tanks no matter who is using them, even though the law exempts commercial users.
Neither have I , but I do know a couple of places that will still fill the old ones . Just not for anyone that walks in off the street . -- Snag , off the beaten path ...
Well, guess I'll check at the propane store first (one of the bigger yards that will put you in a house unit sized tank) and see what their policy is. It sure would be nice to have a big tank in the work area that one doesn't have to tote around. But one would always need the smaller one to wheel to the work.. I bet some of those older larger tanks are pretty cheap now that most people think they can't get them filled.
Maybe not.
Steve
"SteveB" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@news.infowest.com:
If you *do* get a large tank installed, make sure that you have them equip it with a "wet leg".
A "wet leg" is a hose/outlet attached to the *bottom* of the tank to supply liquid propane. This will let you fill your own carry-about tank(s) far more rapidly.
With the proper adapter, it'll also let you refill the throw-aways.
Well, in order to "help us out", new propane regulators have a emergency shut off device that will turn off the propane flow if it "detects" a broken hose. ie. if it detects no back pressure when you open the propane bottle, it will trip and turn itself off.
One solution is to use something like an accetylene regulator instead of a propane regulator. They do not have this foolishness installed, and seem to work fine for me on propane.
Explanation here:
Well, in order to "help us out", new propane regulators have a emergency shut off device that will turn off the propane flow if it "detects" a broken hose. ie. if it detects no back pressure when you open the propane bottle, it will trip and turn itself off.
One solution is to use something like an accetylene regulator instead of a propane regulator. They do not have this foolishness installed, and seem to work fine for me on propane.
Explanation here:
Bring back Lawn Darts, lead paint, and the things we all grew up with and let Darwin win out. This government regulation and meddling is getting a little heavy towards Big Brother, who until recently I regarded as a bunch of paranoid kooks................ I never realized so many things were dangerous, yet so many lived through them. There has to be reason in there somewhere ..............
Steve
Yep--this proposal gets my vote. I have nostalgia for this stuff and fondly recall the melodic ping them lawndarts make when you get a direct hit onto a half-full propane cylinder. Best, David Todtman
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