BajaNomad

NEAT CAMPING ITEMS FOR BAJA

dean miller - 11-24-2006 at 06:47 PM

My dear wife, Betty and I are always on the look out for camping items to use inside and out side our trailer while in Baja. Neat little keen things that make life just a little bit easier and camping more comfortable.

The past few weeks have been very productive in aquiring these neat little keen things. the following items are typical examples:

1) Propane Crock Pot

Walmart cost about $50.00
Coleman Road trip heat and serve slow cooker
*instant start -no matches
*4000 BTU
I seriously doubt if I would ever purchase one or we could ever justify a slow cooker on a Baja trip, but perhaps others on this board? (or one of the children will think ole Dad needs one!)

2) Solar Camp Lantern

A week ago Betty arrived home with a solar powered camp lantern. We has seen it several days earlier in the Disposable Tool catalog, commonly known as Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight about $16.00
item # 94740
It works three ways, solar, 12 volt, and 110
all connections are stored in the base of the lantern

We have tested it all three ways and it is satisfactory for our needs. A days charge of the solar in CenCal sun provided light for about 8 hours.
It is a neat little item that is nice but not needed by all.

3) Propane Filler Attachment

Harbor Freight--about $15.00
Idenified as "Macoupler-ez fill propane coupler"
No idenifiable H/F part number
Manufactured by KM products, in Michigan

This small coupler allows filling of the small disposable propane bottles. Over the years we have aquired a number of small propane bottles from our back country camping trips. A few years ago I began saving them with the thought that some day I would fill them..Now I have no excuse! I do not know if there will be a savings-but the small ones are $3.00 to as much as $6.50 each --so one would assume it would be recognizeable savings.

4) STOVE & OVEN COMBINATION

A Mexican designed and produced stove and oven

Mexico - about $75.00 US
Idenified as "Estufa con horno"
Offered in Red, black, and white
Has two burners on top and a oven underneath

My wife saw this and had to have one! It has been a great investment and has been well used in Baja and even on our patio in CenCal. Initially we had difficult regulating the temperature , but that was solved in short order and it has performed flawlesly. Surprisingly is does not consume excessive propane and I would assume from heat produced it has a high BTU rating. However, I certainly would not recommend baking a large turkey!

There are several other items we are investigating, mainly in the LCD lighting area. We have aquired several hand lights and we have been considering several other larger ones. Maybe others have already aquired these type items and can provide insight as to, cost, performance and souces..

Isn't this 21 century GREAT? so many neet little keen things,
just remember it is only money!

DM

Mexitron - 11-24-2006 at 08:04 PM

Thanks for the tips--think I'll wander over to Harbor Freight tomorrow--my girlfriends got a bunch of those empty propane cylinders and I don't like lugging around a larger tank.

Frigatebird - 11-24-2006 at 08:50 PM

Careful with the propane, overfilling can be a problem. I think you need to weigh them to do it safely. Also wear good eye protection and gloves. Liquid propane can instantly freeze-burn your cornea!!!

aquaholic - 11-24-2006 at 09:09 PM

...I have one of those units to refill small propane bottles. It's best to refill from a small 5 Gal tank, out of doors. Turn the bigger tank upside down. When connected with the small tank, use a needle nose pliers to pull out the indented pin while you turn on the bigger tank. The small tank is full when liquid propane 'spits' out of the release pin. Let the pin go and shut off the tank valve. Presto, you have a perfectly re-usable small propane tank. I have refilled many tanks, many times, for a fraction of the cost. Don't throw those "disposable" tanks away...

Capt. George - 11-25-2006 at 04:57 AM

great post thanks


george

jerry - 11-25-2006 at 08:16 AM

be carfulling filling or fooling with propane it is heaver then air and on a still day will seek the lowest spot (basment, hole in the ground,sumpump basin it can lay there for quite some time if ignited can be very dangerous
i saw the aftermath of a guy draining a 5 gal cylender with about 3 gal of propain to the atmosphereit it ignited and burned about 1000 ft of a ditch in one scond i could imagin if it had been under a house
tricky cause you cant see it

dean miller - 11-25-2006 at 09:25 AM

I appreciate all your comments on saftey of propane handling and cylinder filling.

I will be careful and fill it in my neighbors yard--with my wife holding the cylinder and turning it off and on--after all she purchased it a brough it home -for me--might be a message hidden in the purchase???.

DM

bajasammy - 11-25-2006 at 09:33 AM

I recently saw this cool 12 volt lunch box stove on the Food Channel and had to have it...

Lunch Box Stove

It works just like a mini-crockpot, perfect for cooking hot dogs, chili, or soup out on our little tin boat.

jerry - 11-25-2006 at 10:35 AM

dean your bad lol

dean miller - 11-26-2006 at 09:30 AM

Jerry,

I have a total psyco neighbor --suprisingly name Jerry.

My dear wife is tough as nails--out of the wilds of northern Canada! She is a combo SEAL, Airborne, Bob Ballard, Martha Stewart (oops not a good choice-Martha is a crook) Einstein (oops another por choice -he is dead) but I think you get the picture and understand.......

DM

jerry - 11-26-2006 at 11:30 AM

i get the picture dean perhaps you should add a bullet proof vest to your camp gear too?? lol

jerry - 11-26-2006 at 11:44 AM

i just saw one of these at a tailgate party and it worked great the campfireinacan was using a presto log they said it burned for about 4 hours but said fire wood works great too the best part about it when your done the ashes are in the pan and it snaps closed so no mess ne fuss im going to get one with the extra riser so its up off the ground more and it can be set on a table
check it out at http://campfireinacan.com/private_label.htm

bajaguy - 11-26-2006 at 11:48 AM

I kinda like the "Womp Em" stick....I wonder if it's allowed in Baja???....could always tell 'em it's used for tenderizing abalone.

Socalz - 11-26-2006 at 12:12 PM

I'm sitting here looking at a small propane cylinder and it states on the label, "Never refill this cylinder. Refilling may cause explosion. Federal law forbids transportation if refilled - penalty up to $500,000 and 5 years imprisonment. (49 U.S.C. 5142)."

As you can refill these cylinders for one-fifth the price of purchasing them (4 16 oz. cylinders for $9.68 at Sam's Club, BTW), I can see the appeal, but what exactly are the dangers other than the ones previously stated in this thread? There must be some reason for such a severe penalty. Anyone care to educate me please?

Socalz - 11-26-2006 at 12:20 PM

duplicate post, sorry

[Edited on 11-26-2006 by Socalz]

bajaguy - 11-26-2006 at 12:43 PM

Chapter 49, Section 5142 of the United States Code does not apply in Mexico..............

jimgrms - 11-26-2006 at 07:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Socalz
I'm sitting here looking at a small propane cylinder and it states on the label, "Never refill this cylinder. Refilling may cause explosion. Federal law forbids transportation if refilled - penalty up to $500,000 and 5 years imprisonment. (49 U.S.C. 5142)."

As you can refill these cylinders for one-fifth the price of purchasing them (4 16 oz. cylinders for $9.68 at Sam's Club, BTW), I can see the appeal, but what exactly are the dangers other than the ones previously stated in this thread? There must be some reason for such a severe penalty. Anyone care to educate me please?



proably the main reason is you would be cutting the propane peoples profit also so you can't transport on air planes

Frigatebird - 11-26-2006 at 09:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Socalz
As you can refill these cylinders for one-fifth the price of purchasing them (4 16 oz. cylinders for $9.68 at Sam's Club, BTW), I can see the appeal, but what exactly are the dangers other than the ones previously stated in this thread? There must be some reason for such a severe penalty. Anyone care to educate me please?


Socalz,
I believe the danger of overfilling any liquified gas cylinder is the lack of "headspace" needed to allow for the liquid to expand if/when it becomes warmer. This must place additional internal pressure on the tank. While this is probably not immediate cause for concern if the tank is in good condition, it may cause premature fatiguing of the metal in the long run. Disposable cylinders are not manufactured for repeated stresses like the certified versions. Refilling these should pose a greater risk for tank leakage/rupture.

As far as the law, it seems a leaking cylinder is an accident waiting to happen, whether by asphyxiation or explosion etc. I can hear the insurance companies screaming now.

4baja - 11-27-2006 at 07:16 AM

aguaholic, i have allso used the refiller for years and they are great but you forgot to mention how dangerous they can be. when refilling from the old style bottle never attempt to remove the small bottle while the large propane bottle is upside down(with valve open) as this can cause spillage of liquad propane and potential fire. my buddys boat burned to the water line while attempting this.:coolup:

Socalz - 11-27-2006 at 07:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Frigatebird

Socalz,
I believe the danger of overfilling any liquified gas cylinder is the lack of "headspace" needed to allow for the liquid to expand if/when it becomes warmer. This must place additional internal pressure on the tank. While this is probably not immediate cause for concern if the tank is in good condition, it may cause premature fatiguing of the metal in the long run. Disposable cylinders are not manufactured for repeated stresses like the certified versions. Refilling these should pose a greater risk for tank leakage/rupture.

As far as the law, it seems a leaking cylinder is an accident waiting to happen, whether by asphyxiation or explosion etc. I can hear the insurance companies screaming now.


Thanks for taking the time to post a response, I appreciate it. I'm sure some nomads out there have refilled these cylinders hundreds of times without incident, but it only takes one little accident to cause great bodily harm and/or property loss. It strikes me as a risky way to save a couple of dollars.

Answer for Socalz

RonnieRockCod - 11-27-2006 at 07:33 PM

It is my understanding the refilling of cylinders is not unlawful. Otherwise the selling of the instruments to do so could be interpreted as abetting a crime. I believe the transportation of the refilled cylinders may be what is unlawful.

If I'm mistaken, please, someone jump in here and straighten me out. Good luck, RRC

Some Propane tank info...

Mexray - 11-27-2006 at 11:03 PM

1. Older propane cylinders (mfg prior to 9/1998) have the POL (named for the original mfg'r) valve with the round handle/knob. The POL valves have only the internal (female) LH threads, and NO check valve. These tanks are also fitted with a manually operated vent valve - either a separate thumb screw vent, or a screwdriver operated vent valve in the POL valve, itself. This vent is opened when filling the tank, and begins 'spitting' liquid propane when the tank is approximately 80% full - the safe fill limit.

When you open the valve without a hose attached, propane escapes to the atmosphere, unchecked, as it were! Observe cautions mentioned above, propane is heaver than air and will 'settle' in an enclosure or depression and could ignite with explosive results!

2. Newer propane cylinders mfg'd after 9/1998 are fitted with the OPD (Overfill Prevention Device) and have the triangular shaped handle/knob. These valves have the large RH (male) threads on the outside - and the above mentioned LH, female threads on the inside. POL valves are fitted with a check valve, and an internal 'float' valve to shut off incoming liquid propane and prevent overfilling of the tank above the 80% level - in concert with the above noted vent valve. The check valve prevents gas from escaping if you open the valve without a hose attached. As April 1, 2002, US propane fillers are supposed to only fill tanks equipped with (or retrofitted) the OPD valves installed - not so in Mexico, they'll fill either type.

3. I believe the small tank refill fitting from Harbor Freight will only work with the older POL style tanks. You have to invert the large cylinder to force liquid propane into the small cylinder being refilled, and the newer OPD style cylinders with allow the 'float valve' to close when you invert the cylinder - therefore not allowing any liquid propane into the small cylinder.

4. I have also used the refill fitting with some success to refill the small cylinders (with a POL valved cylinder). I don't think I've been able to fill them to the levels as when they are new - and I haven't tried to hold open the small vent valve with needle nose pliers as mentioned in a message above - a good idea...except some additional caution should be noted here.

I would get an accurate small scale, and weigh a brand new (filled) small cylinder in order to get a 'good' filled weight. These small cylinders are also filled only to about the 80% level to allow for the expansion of the liquid propane inside during hot weather - that 'vent' valve's design may also allow for propane venting if the cylinder gets too warm.

4. When you refill a small tank, and hold the vent valve open, take care to rotate the vent's location so that it will begin 'spitting' liquid propane at approximately 80% of the tank's capacity. Now weigh your refilled cylinder on the scale and compare it with the 'new' cylinder weight you noted earlier - and adjust your filling procedure accordingly - if your refilled tank is heavier, you can vent some propane by attaching the tank to an appliance and opening it's main valve.

As several have mentioned, propane can be a big hazard to one's well-being...if you don't feel comfortable refilling the small tanks - don't do it! They aren't really all that 'expensive' when compared with just one bad experience! My notes above are not to be construed as definitive instructions in any way, and are to be used at your own risk...be careful out there!

[Edited on 11-28-2006 by Mexray]

surrbooty.jpg - 30kB

4baja - 11-28-2006 at 07:23 AM

the small tanks will usually only fill a little over 1/2, i put the tanks in the freezer for about a 1/2 hour first so you can get to 80% vollume. the small tanks you buy at your local wallmart are not refillable but i use them a couple of times then discard. cabellos has the fitting (if anyones interested) in there camping section for $19.99 plus shipping.:coolup:

Bruce R Leech - 11-28-2006 at 08:30 AM

they sell some small cylinders that are for refiling. they have a bleed valve so you can fill them to 80 % safely.

dean miller - 11-29-2006 at 07:20 PM

Two decisions:

After reading this thread My dear wife and I made a decision to return the Mac Coupler propane refiller to Harbor Freight.


After reading about the crime in Baja we have made a decision to invest in a WW11 Sherman tank and convert it to a Baja RV.


dm

FARASHA - 11-30-2006 at 12:50 AM

:wow: dean - that sounds bitter, on the other hand not a bad idea - it's unlikely that ANYONE will attack a Sherman, provided they let you cross the border :biggrin: It might get pretty HOT inside the tank - or do they have AC?
I have now this picture in my mind - a Tank at the beach - (maybe underneath a palapa), laundry line attached on the sides, folding chairs and table in the shade of the tank!! Cup of coffee and a bagel, and the newspaper, watching sunrise/sunset - cool :cool:?
I would like this picture, If the situation wouldn't be so serious recently! :smug:

If you really change your mind - you and your wife are wellcome at MY place - dean
Very Safe Here!!

Socalz - 11-30-2006 at 06:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexray

As several have mentioned, propane can be a big hazard to one's well-being...if you don't feel comfortable refilling the small tanks - don't do it! They aren't really all that 'expensive' when compared with just one bad experience! My notes above are not to be construed as definitive instructions in any way, and are to be used at your own risk...be careful out there!

[Edited on 11-28-2006 by Mexray]


Thanks for the reply! Some good information in your post and it doesn't hurt to be overinformed, particularly considering the potential for destruction in choosing to be an "amateur propane technician".

I forgot that my mother-in-law's new husband owns a propane business in Northern California. I'll have to get his opinion next time I see him.

dean miller - 12-1-2006 at 01:21 PM

Why don't you give your mother-in-laws new husband who is a propane distributor a telephone call this week end and report his outrage at filling small cylinders on Monday?

His comments should be enlighting.

DM

El Camote - 12-1-2006 at 04:21 PM

Great info. Ray!

But I've had no problem filling my small cylinders from a OPD tank using a Mac Coupler. If you follow the directions and only leave the valve open for a minute, there's no chance of overfilling. In fact, it only half fills them - probably a "better safe than sorry" practice.

I think Hank would agree. ;):bounce:

[Edited on 12-1-2006 by El Camote]

Socalz - 12-1-2006 at 09:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dean miller
Why don't you give your mother-in-laws new husband who is a propane distributor a telephone call this week end and report his outrage at filling small cylinders on Monday?

His comments should be enlighting.

DM


My mother-in-law and her new husband, who is a propane distributor, are semi-retired and currently travelling. I'm going to Germany to spend Christmas with my son before he deploys. Hence, I don't know when I'll be able to plumb the depth of his outrage at refilling small propane cylinders. You may have to hunker down in your tank for a while. ;)

In the spirit of your original post, I wish to submit this item to the list of "Camping Items for Baja". I personally own one, but unfortunately have yet to use it. $70 at REI.

684259Lrg.jpg - 16kB

dean miller - 12-2-2006 at 08:22 AM

There are piorities in this world and they must be addressed!

Hemminway's was Gibbley's Gin well mixed on the African velt at sunset.

The modern Baja traveler it is a cool well mixed Maggie at sundown
(some also enjoy Maggies at mid night, sun up & noon-but I won't go there)

What an incrediable idea! A hand cranked blender! No batteries to charge or run down, no electronic componets! Maintence free-should last forever! We do not have a local REI, but I will check it out the next time I am in LA area.

We currently have a Black & Decker rechargeable blender probably approaching 20 years old that is still blending away. I some how suspect that we will use it until it stops blending. When it does REI here we come with Visa in hand!

Thanks for the tip and posting of the picture.

dm