I was thinking about putting a 5# bottle on the tongue of the Generic ET, like I had on the Lil Diner...
Now after reading this, I may rethink that!
Mike...
====
On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:47:16 -0500, "Sparky" <
[email protected]>
wrote:
>I just purchased a 4.25lb propane tank to use with a Coleman propane stove;
>however, after contacting my local propane supplier about the cost of
>filling it, I am considering taking it back to the store. They want $9.00
>to fill it, which is half the current cost of filling a 20lb tank. I love
>the size of this little guy, but it would be cheaper to buy four of those
>environmentally irresponsible 1lb disposable tanks on sale than it would be
>to refill this one. :-( Is there a way to fill this tank from a 20lb tank?
In general the 20 pound tank is about the most common tank size there
is. As such, everything is geared to it. If you have a tank that is
smaller, then the net price per pound is higher.
I would LOVE to have a 5 pound tank - or 4.25 pound as the case may be
- however I refuse to pay more for a new 5 pound tank than I would for
a new 20 pound tank! And then there is the filling costs too! Strickly
paying for conveinience.
I have observed the filling of the bulk tanks, and in order to get a
near capacity fill, looks to me like you need a pump - which all the
filling stations are equipped with.
I have the adapter that lets you refill the 1 pound tanks from a bulk
tank. Theoretically it is against US law to transport a refilled
cylendar across state lines. What is that crap??? $500,000 fine and up
to 5 years in jail??? You get less for killing someone!
Solution, transport the cylendars empty! and refill them just before
use.
Having said that, when you refill a smaller tank with a larger one,
you will NOT get anywhere near a proper fill. my estimate is about 70%
of a regular fill on the small ones. I presume you would get the same
on a small bulk tank. So, if you get a hose with the correct fittings
- which would likely be $30 - and connect the 2 tanks, then put the
small tank on the ground, and a FULL 20 pound tank raise above the 5
pounder - say on a table, then open the valve on the 20 pounder, and
then on the 5 pounder. Give it about 5 minutes for the pressure to
equalize, then close the valves on both tanks, and disconnect the
hose.
If my 70% estimae is correct, then you will get about 3.3 pounds into
your 4.25 pound tank.
All in all, it is a lot of hassle. I did manage to score a 10 pounder
on sale cheap, and the refill is only a little more expensive per
pound than a 20 pounder - at least where I am. So look at your prices
and see if that is an option.
Otherwise just return turn the tank and suck it up - buy the 20
pounder. They are not as conveinient as a 5 pounder, but they sure do
last a LONG time.
hth
The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten, so build your teardrop with the best materials...