Mac Couplers for refilling propane..anyone use one?

[DragonFire]

I hope I'm in the right discussion area here...

I just saw something on ebay that was interesting. But I know nothing about it. It's a Mac coupler for refilling smaller propane tanks from a big one. Even old style ones.

You probably wonder why I want to do this. My Grasshopper has a small propane tank...a much skinnier one than the current ones that are on trailers and gas grills. It is an old-style. I planned on using up the propane and storing the tank in hopes of someday finding someone who can change the valve to the new style so I can use it...but that may take a bit (dive shop? who does that kind of thing?)

But if the mac coupler safely works...I could keep filling my small tank off the one on my gas grill. I also have an adapter for the small Coleman style cannisters so when I run of gas in the big tank, I'll just hook up the adapter to my line and attach a small cannister.

So what do you all think? Is it easier to find someone to switch my valve (suggestions welcome!) or do you think this mac system would work safely?

[Mukilteo]

the propane dealers will inspect your tank and change out your valve.

[Shadow Catcher]

Propane tanks must have have a current hydro test certification and the initial test is good for 12 years. If this is the original tank and you wish to preserve it for historical reasons it can be tested and a new valve installed assuming it can pass the test. It is not a great idea to bypass these requirements.
Yes dive shops can in some cases hydro test LPG tanks and change the valve. In the Toledo area there is a propane dealer that can do it as well.
Least expensive is probably to buy a new tank.

[DragonFire]

By propane dealer...do you mean Airgas or another large company? Or do you mean the folks at the hardware store where they refill the tanks? I have been told for my big trailer just to get the new tanks (they are the 20 gal ones..standard size for an RV) but the Grasshopper has an odd shaped one. It fits into the compartment on the side..and a large one won't. I would like to keep using the one that it came with just because it's original to the trailer and retro..

I have no idea how much gas is left in that tank. I'll just cook with it until I can't, then switch to the Coleman ones and take the bigger one to a propane dealer. I have a patient who owns a 'gas' business..supplies us with N2O and O2. If he's coming in soon I'll ask him if his company can fit my tank with the new valve. They guy I bought the trailer from seemed to think it was almost impossible to get the valve updated to the current safety valve. Maybe because he said the connector from the cooktop hose would have t be changed.


Slow we don't have a house propane tank. My trailer has a mini propane tank that holds maybe half the amount of the big tank, if that. I'm trying to find a way to refill it so I can keep using that tank for my cooktop. I have a BBQ tank already for my grill that does my cast iron seasoning

[DragonFire]

When I get to visit my trailer again I'll measure my tank..but if I can change the valve out at the propane dealer, then I can still use my 1979 tank which is original to the trailer. That would be the best bet. I want to keep this rare trailer as original as I can..I'm going to use the ice box as a cabinet instead of having the galley redone like I originally planned..

Sorry I don't have the measurements of the tank..I may have measured the door for that compartment. The trailer is in a friend's garage until I sell the big one..and I'm taking photos to work tomorrow to have someone scan them and send them to me. I hate to do it, but need to sell my big trailer. Then I can bring the Grasshopper over and run out and measure things and work on it all I want!!

Looking forward to camping with all of you in the spring!!

[Dale M.]

Any BULK propane dealer ( who has large tanks and runs a truck fleet) can usually do test and date tank and change valve out for you...

Not really keen on mickey mouse systems to refill tanks and mess around with flammable fuels....

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=44161

Just because somebody "does it" and says its "safe", read the facts about propane as a fuel and the consequences about miss use and make smart decisions...

The 1998 revision of the National Fire Protection Association's Pamphlet 58 requires that all cylinders, 4 lb. (1.8 kg) through 40 lb. (18 kg), fabricated after September 30, 1998 shall be equipped with an OPD valve. Further, any cylinders of these sizes that are re-qualified must be equipped with an OPD valve. If your cylinder is over 12 years old, it must be re-qualified before it can be refilled. It will be retrofitted with an OPD valve at the time of re-qualification. You can find the date of manufacture on the upper collar of your 20# cylinder. Effective April 1, 2002, no cylinder will be filled unless it is equipped with an OPD.

http://www.propaneproducts.com/cylinder-valves.html

Also some good reading here...

http://www.grillman.com/propane_tankregs.htm

And...

http://www.damouth.org/RVStuff/OPD.shtml

Dale

[Engineer Guy]

If you have one of the smaller diameter, 'Retro' Tanks I've seen on some Craig's List[ings], the $64,000 Question will be: can the retrofitted OPD Valve float up fully w/o contacting your Tank Sidewall?

OPD Valve Diagram

I've had some nice Aluminum Tanks on my Avion Land Yacht retrofitted by a Propane Vendor. I VAGUELY recall that this would be a 'one time only' OPD Valve Retrofit good for 'x' years, but I don't recall the specifics. Too long ago... Hopefully, my memory is wrong, or such restrictions won't affect you, and refilling and/or re-qualifying a nice, old Tank.

The Mac looks OK to me. I'd be sure to keep it clean and in, say, a Ziplock Baggie. Heavier-than-Air Propane will dissipate just fine, even if there is a slight leak. Stop by any High Pressure Gas Pipeline 'Header' Road-side and smell a whiff of odorized Natural Gas. Slight leakage is inevitable, and not a Show Stopper.

[DragonFire]

I'll take the tank to someone who has a 'fleet of trucks' type operation...Airgas...or my patient's company (gotta look in the computer to see when he's in next!) to see what can be done.

I want the thing to be safe..it's just nothing to mess around with. If they don't think it can be done I'll see what they offer as an alternative. I can always fall back on the little Coleman cans. It's not like I can never use my stove again if I can't use my 79 canister. But it would be awesome to keep that going, being that I'll be "camping in the 70's" for the most part!

[Dale M.]

a fleet to trucks won't guertee you they are even dealing with propane.

lslow

I only used the phrase as a point of reference because any propane dealer who has bulk storage and fleet of delivery trucks and a business office out front usually has a maintenance shed and "QUALIFIED" people to deal with tank and valve and other propane issues....

Dale

[Engineer Guy]

What Dale M. said 110%...

I had the same sort of Fleet-owning entity upgrade my 2 Tanks.

Despite having had Rental Properties for eons, and done 'Hands on' Trailer stuff forever, there's things in Life - like Sewer Line cleanout - best left to Pros. The same is true for me on stuff like Propane Tank upgrades. Besides torquing into Aluminum a new OPD Valve correctly, there's a certain, Propane-compatible Thread Sealant used on Tank Threads. I'm very comfortable Plumbing/modifying anything post-Regulator.

I access 'for free' the knowledge/experience base re: Propane when I let the Propane Pros w/Truck Fleets - and Aluminum Propane Tanks on their Yard Equipment - do such Tank upgrades/qualification. Further, a post-upgrade Inspection is 'free' and the Pros 'own' any problems that arise.

[eamarquardt]

I recently had a number of valves replaced on some smaller propane tanks. I called the factory that made the tanks and learned what valve to replace the originals with. They referred me to a couple of places to buy the valves. The first place wouldn't sell to me but the second place did via the phone and mail. I then went on line and found a "propane association" in California. The fellow there referred me to Delta Liquid energy in Sylmar for the valve replacements and recertification. They charged me about $15 per cylinder to install the new valves and "certify" them (new tanks are good for 12 years, "recertified/inspected" are good for 5 years after each inspection). They did not "hydrostat" the tanks (these are not high pressure vessels) but merely visually inspected them on the outside and then placed a sticker on them.

It was a PITA but I wanted to keep the smaller tanks in service as they are kinda handy.

Cheers,

Gus

[Dale M.]

dale not EVERYONE at amerigas is quailifed to change a valve out or even fill a tank.

its just who is handy at that joint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


when I worked there it was sad to tell a customer that only the secetray could fill a tank.

the manager had laid on his butt and had not taken the time to qualify any of the drivers or the guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just becuase they work at a propane place does not mean they are actually qualifed!!!!!!!!!!!

they just know what they are doing as they do it on a daily basis.

slow

NEVER did mention Amerigas..... You need to get off it, you are becoming tiresome.....

I believe most people here are intelligent enough that if you point them in right direction they are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves...

Dale

[DragonFire]

Hey Slow...You are right...I meant Amerigas, not Airgas...they ARE a welding supply company.

I still have not checked into getting the tank refiitted...like I said, it's at a friend's house. I've got to sell my big trailer then move the Grasshopper over here...then I can really work on it. Unless I get to snag the propane tank out and have it refitted..but I think I'll use up the gas with the stove for now and take the empty tank to be refitted later.

But it is something I plan on getting done fairly soon. I'll let you know how it turns out. I've seen those shorter propane cans..this one is probably as tall as the BBQ ones but skinny...I've never seen one that shape before, but then I haven't hung around teardrops and tiny trailers a whole lot! Even my neighbor has a regular sized propane tank on his 13' Scamp.

Which reminds me...I need to pull off the 2 locks and the latch for the 3 storage areas and take them up to CW and replace them all. I want a lock on my propane compartment and only the original key works on the 2 back compartments. Pain in the rump if I have 3 or 4 keys and only the original actually opens the door.

So many details to get ironed out before I hit the road!!

[Dale M.]

Several manufacturers make #5 (about 1.2 gallon) and #10 ( about 2.4 gallon) and a #11 ( about 2.6 gallon) tanks in various shapes...

Here is just one....
http://www.mantank.com/products/dotprod ... 0steel.htm

Not sure if the old "classic horizontal" is still available or can be /needs to be refitted with OPD valve...



Dale

[DragonFire]

That is an interesting tank!!

Slow: I changed all the locks on the compartments on my big trailer so they all have the same key. I want to do the same with the tear. But I have the hitch lock, the door key, a disc lock for the cable it I want to lock it around a tree or whatever...then I'll have the locks for the compartments, the TV key, house key...

I have separate key rings for different things..a set for house/car/work. One for each trailer. One for the scooter/house. Then there are spares in case I lose something. Just because I do misplace them sometimes!