goldhuntress
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propane tank issue
We have a 2008 camper that uses the newer style propane tank. Last week the propane place in Guerrero Negro would only fill the tanks 3/4 full
(although they have filled it all the way in the past) saying their fill nozzle was only for the older tanks and there may be an "adapter" available
for our tank that would allow them to fill it all the way. Anyone else ever had this problem or know of this "adapter"? Thanks in advance.
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Barry A.
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The dealers comment seems strange to me. The old-type filler nozzles will fit the new-type valves just fine, so it should not be an issue, I don't
believe. However, the new-type bottles do have a cut-off safety valve inside (sorta like a toilet tank shutoff) that prevents them from being "over
filled", and that may be what they are talking about. The old tanks did not have that internal safety valve, I don't believe.
The new-type filler nozzles found in the US will NOT fit the older type valves, and it is illegal to try to fill the old-type bottles that have the
old-type valve in the USA, at least the portable size bottles-------I believe that the old-type larger bottles (bigger than 20lb size/5 gal. size) can
still be legally filled, but perhaps you need some type of adaptor to do so.
Propane related stuff is gettin more and more complex, that is for sure.
Barry
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DENNIS
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Down here they fill portable tanks by weight and they'll fill all types as long as the valve has a guard.
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Barry A.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Down here they fill portable tanks by weight and they'll fill all types as long as the valve has a guard. |
Dennis---------Is the "guard" armed??
Seriously, what kind of "guard" do you mean?
Barry
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Timo1
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Had the same problem at GN
was told that the old style filler they use wasn't long enough to
insure the safety valve...BUT they had no problem filling
the auto propane...go figure
sold out and got out !!!
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
Seriously, what kind of "guard" do you mean?
Barry |
The metal which curves around the valves on top the tank. Has hand holes in it to serve as a handle. Most tanks have one although not all. Probably
home-made tanks if they don't have one.
There was a time long ago when the Propane Company would try to slip these off to unknowing customers [guess who......they couldn't fool a Mexican
with this one.] in the exchange, empty for full, then you would be stuck with it. You could take them in for refill, but no exchange. I doubt they
would even fill them anymore.
The propane delivery business used to be so ridiculous. The crummy little driver thieves would actually fill an empty 45 Kilo tank with water and sell
it, exchange it, to Gringos in the beach camps.
Them's was the days. 
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Cypress
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So? Fill the tank! A problem? Only if your tank doesn't have the right "connections".
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
So? Fill the tank! A problem? Only if your tank doesn't have the right "connections". |
From my old perspective, it wasn't all that easy. Then, there was only one plant in town and the lines might go three hundred yards down the road.
It was a different world then. Now, there's a half dozen plants and honest, reliable drivers.
I suppose you were talking to the other parties about the other issue.
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Terry28
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I have always been told that to allow for expansion 80% =full.
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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Barry A.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Terry28
I have always been told that to allow for expansion 80% =full. |
That's correct, Terry. But some did not adhere to that and over filled their tanks, and there were some accidents. That is why the new-type valve
became mandatory, as I understand it.
It always puzzled me why the Govt. did this, since the tanks have long had "relief valves" to release excess pressure when over filled, and when they
heat up. To me just another case of over-regulation-----I don't know how we ever survived our childhoods without all these safety regs, but then that
is just me. 
Barry
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boe4fun
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I have two old style tanks and two new style tanks. While at Bahia Asuncion, I met with the guys on the propane truck as they were delivering to the
hardware store. They couldn't fill the new style, but filled both of the old style tanks. Later that week, I had to go to GN so I stopped at the
propane station and they filled my new style tanks. I don't know how much they put in, but the tanks were heavy and the gauges read full.
Two dirt roads diverged in Baja and I, I took the one less graveled by......
Soy ignorante, apático y ambivalente. No lo sé y no me importa, ni modo.
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MrBillM
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Getting your Fill
In San Felipe, Silza has a Uniform policy.
Old-Style Tanks (20lb/5Gal) = 110 Pesos.
New-Style = 110 Pesos.
Partially Full (Old or New) = 110 Pesos.
It keeps life simple. And, Expensive.
Many years ago, when the Bulk trucks started coming through the camps South of San Felipe, I would try to get the driver to fill my small tanks also.
He would invariably say that he didn't have the "adapter" with him so I went over to the Propane dealer in Yucca Valley and had an adapter made up.
The next trip when the driver said he didn't have an adapter, I said "no Problema. I have one" and brought it out. He filled my tanks that time, but
the next time he simply said "NO Small Tanks".
Period. And, I tip the guy everytime.
Well.
I Still have the ($35) Adapter. All Brass. Used Once.
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Cypress
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One fitting has threads on the inside, the other has threads on the outside. The one with outside threads is the one that they don't want to fill,
unless its painted red. Or is it the other way around? But you can get 'em both filled.
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MrBillM
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Propane Threading
The "NEW" Style Tanks have External Acme Threads, but also have the Internal threads for the older POL connector so it's puzzling to me WHY there
would be an issue in that respect.
The External ACME thread valve was adopted prior to the OPD adoption. The OPD tanks are identified by the "Triangular" valve wheel.
The only issue I've found with "some" vendors in the San Felipe area is that they don't like the fact that the OPD device STOPS the flow rather than
the 80 percent valve simply venting when the gas reaches that level.
It doesn't seem to adversely affect their equipment, though.
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goldhuntress
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The last time we got propane in GN they charged 110 pesos and my boyfriend said "Hey, it's not even full" The guy checked the weight and said "your
right" and lowered the price to 86 pesos. So, that was good.
In the USA when they fill the tanks they use a screwdriver to open the vent and when propane starts blowing out they close the vent and the valve and
it's full. I wonder why they don't do that there, seems like it would solve the problem.
We like the mountains/desert/beach and it sucks to go to town 3-4 days sooner than we would have to with full tanks. Guess we should just get an extra
tank to solve the problem.
Thanks for all the replies.
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durrelllrobert
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
A problem? Only if your tank doesn't have the right "connections". |
yes, your tank must know someone important, or a member of one of the cartels
Bob Durrell
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