Refill Small Propane Tanks from a Larger Propane Tank

Рет қаралды 104,989

Mechanical Chaos

Күн бұрын

Here is one on Amazon for about $8
www.amazon.com...

Пікірлер: 185

@huevoneousmaximus2309 3 жыл бұрын

Another tip. If you chill down the tank to be filled in the freezer for about 15-30 minutes prior to filling it, you can get more propane into the smaller tank. Reason this works is because the cold will condense whatever propane is in the small tank. This will allow more room in the small tank to be filled. Hope this helps.

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

That is good information

@Someguyto 3 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos Are the small propane torches empty when you buy them or are they already full? I cant seem to get mine to work?

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

They come full

@Someguyto 3 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos Now it makes sense. I believe I was sold a dud.

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Oh no, I hate that happened

@HorrorFXDesigns 7 ай бұрын

You can purge the extra air from within by pushing a small Allen key or tiny screw driver down into the top hole of the smaller tank. That creates more room for even more propane. Do this 2-3x after each refill and you'll get the tank 100% full. No need to use the side valve.

@MechanicalChaos 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

@cuffy69 Жыл бұрын

If any of you live near a propane tank company that fills your home for a gas stove or swimming pool. call them and see if they will fill your 20,30 lb. or more tanks. I have a propane company 4 miles from my house and they fill my 20lbs, for about 14.00 a fill. the hardware store i used to go to was charging 29.00 a fill. so give them a try. nothing to lose and money to gain.

@MechanicalChaos Жыл бұрын

Great information,thanks for sharing!

@budcarlson7669 Жыл бұрын

Interesting idea but don’t use channel locks on a brass fitting and find a “CRESCENT’ wrench to keep from rounding the fitting edges.

@MechanicalChaos Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the advice

@MrBluesluver 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice video. You answered one of my main questions, which was if the blue (14oz) and green (16oz) canisters have the same threads. I liked your explaination of getting the 20# tank filled at Tractor Supply or probably at an RV fill station.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much

@mds1986ms 4 жыл бұрын

What you should do is weigh your tanks before and after. The green tanks hold 450 grams of LP. The green tanks with the metal bottoms should weigh just under 2lbs when finished. I have basically the same adapter and ive had tanks fill to 2.4 lbs which is WAY over max. Its not a problem when they're cold but if they get warm or summer time hot then the releif valve is going to open and fill your garage with explosive gas.

@seller4256 7 жыл бұрын

I was taught by tradesmen to not use wrenches on brass fittings. That creaking you heard when he really torked on it; I totally cringed. Brass is softer than steel and it's used to 'bite' itself with only hand tightness. That ' snappy' turn sound at the end was you making a seal and breaking it many times over, fast. It's hard on the threads and will ruin the brass fitting.

@MechanicalChaos 7 жыл бұрын

+Seller425 thank you for that information

@BYYoseph 4 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos Finally a mature video poster. One of the rare times a video poster didn't flame a criticizing response. subbed

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@kristopherbuchanan974 4 жыл бұрын

Also that he is using the channelock(adjustable) pliers backwards.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Yea

@mattnd951 7 жыл бұрын

next time put the small bottle is the freeze and you can get it more full

@MechanicalChaos 7 жыл бұрын

+matt.duncan that is a good tip

@springjason1201 4 жыл бұрын

If u can get the little bottle into a ice bath to bring the temperature down u can fit alot more into the little one its probably not safe but if u can heat the big tank up a little it will push more into the little one as well

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that tip

@lynnkjjones7066 2 жыл бұрын

They won't fill a 20 pounder unless the valve is no older than 10 years.

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that info

@eastin6868 5 жыл бұрын

Bro I about had a heart attack when you flipped the tanks back over before taking the little one off.

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

As long as you turn off the big tank before you do anything, it'll be ok

@eastin6868 5 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos I know but it still about stopped my heart.

@mds1986ms 4 жыл бұрын

@@eastin6868 Im mot sure im following your line of thinking? Other than the LP possibly going back into the full tank what is it the you think would happen?

@elmanitasdeplomo 6 ай бұрын

Why would that be a problem? Wouldn’t the liquid propane just flow back into the larger tank?

@psychd5374 3 жыл бұрын

Im a cashier at a chevron and part of my job is to fill propane tanks, we can even do RV propane tanks. Everyone is always surprised when they come to our store because its so much cheaper than getting it exchanged at the shell across the street.

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

It is almost a cheat code, I had to convince my father to start refilling because he would always just Exchange, I had to tell him how it was almost half the price so many times before he finally started doing it and now he loves it. Also you can exchange rusty garbage tanks found in a field and get a shiny new tank

@nathanrobinson7042 5 жыл бұрын

Get the fill tank colder than the mother tank and it will fill up and turn the gas to luquid as well.

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Good information

@jarrodpenton2649 4 жыл бұрын

Yep at least 12 hours in the deep freez if you are in a hurry than you know do what you do

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@davidroberts2404 2 жыл бұрын

Plus you can see how full its getting with it frozen. It will sweat and you can see how full it is

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

That's for sharing that helpful info

@mikeoxbig1613 2 жыл бұрын

If you set up an adapter to be able to pull a vacuum on the small bottle before attaching to large it will fill completely up.

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

That would be the ideal way to to it, but with the ability to refill the small bottles indefinitely, I'm not worried about only filling them halfway, just means that they get refilled more often

@tt7hvn 2 жыл бұрын

The Schrader valve on the tanks is to bleed the tank when they fill them from the factory. The ideal way to do this would be to purge the fill tank while you're filling it.

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

You're correct about that and that was something I got wrong in the video

@mds1986ms 4 жыл бұрын

First off GO OUTSIDE! Put a wet towel in the fridge and wrap it around the fill tank that keeps it cool the whole time. And turn the whole works upside down. Just be aware that you can overfill them this way in less than 30 seconds. Ive had tanks with an end weight of 2.4lbs and thats WAY over max. But while the tsnk is cold its "fine" until it warms up the the relief valve opens and thats no good for anyone. If you over fill you tank use the blunt end of a small drill bit and press the the valve to release the excess at first liquid propane will squirt out do that until its just gas then youre safe.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to write all of this out

@mds1986ms 4 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos Sorry about being a crummy jerk about it. I get a bit crabby about things like this. Im an industrial electrician so good standards and practices are kinda my thing... well one of them.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

No worries

@andrettibark Жыл бұрын

@@mds1986ms I see no crummy jerk.

@MechanicalChaos Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@JBSmithee 4 жыл бұрын

Some of these bottles are not designed to be refilled and the seals will eventually fail. This is not recommended to save a couple dollars especially if you are storing these anywhere near your home.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that information

@sam111880 5 жыл бұрын

Nice video , i think thats a better way to go instead of buying new small propane tanks all the time when you run out. You can some times just reuses with this adapter from the propane tanks you uses for grilling to refill the small ones with. Curious i know old propane grill tanks you can cut thru them if you take out the valve stem and fill them up with a hose. But kind of worried a little about cutting thru smaller hand propane tanks because there is no open place to fill with water so not certain if any vapors are left in once i relief it

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you, the small tanks have a small valve stem like on a car tire (actually there are 2 on the small tanks) and you can use a valve stem tool to unscrew them and then you could fill with water

@sam111880 5 жыл бұрын

O the same tool for removing valve stems from tires and once you remove it the hole is large enough to add enough water to slosh the entire container ? If so excellent you solved my problem.

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

If you remove both, you shouldn't have any problem filling it with water

@Amunz0r 7 жыл бұрын

Tongue and Groove Pliers work better if the lower jaw goes in the direction of tightening. Unlike the way you did it, where the upper jaw went the direction of the turn.

@MechanicalChaos 7 жыл бұрын

+Aaron McDermid yeah, I just grabbed them real quick because I couldn't find my wrench that fit and wasn't paying attention to which way they were facing

@clintwoods9363 4 жыл бұрын

I cursed out loud as soon as I seen that.....almost a good video until I saw the guy doesn't know what hes doing

@sam111880 5 жыл бұрын

I cann't light the hand propane torch so it seems completely out but don't want to cut into it yet until i know all vapors that could ignite are out. Some people drop dry ice in them , some fill with water before you cut into them. But with the smaller hand ones you cann't put water in ...don't have a drill at the moment to make a small hole to fill it with water but regardless. I do like the adapter to fill small handhelds definitely... i am just using an old partially now destroyed handheld tank as a crucible if i can safely cut thru this but have to figure it out first a way to get water in it.

@gmoops8986 2 жыл бұрын

Use channel locks on a nut?, I'm gone.

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for stopping by, we'll miss you

@cory1641 6 жыл бұрын

Hey bro thanks for the tips I'll look to refill instead of exchange the big tanks.

@MechanicalChaos 6 жыл бұрын

+cory w definitely, you'll save yourself a bunch of money, and it is surprising just how many places will refill tanks

@__BERSERKER__ 4 жыл бұрын

Here in Ky we have Southern States. They even give commercial discounts.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Yea, but you can't have a day job if you want to go to SS

@not_real7901 3 жыл бұрын

I was thinking about filling it up with air as a oxygen tank

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Fill it with water to push out any remaining gas and wash it out real well

@khmerbraveheart 4 жыл бұрын

Had my head phones on. Scared the shit out of me, I thought it was going to explode. 4:59

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Sorry

@khmerbraveheart 4 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos haha all good man. I'll sub for ya. Hope I can get subbe back! Keep growing that channel!

@jamiefry8743 3 жыл бұрын

You can purchase them for $19.99 at North 40.

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Amazon is cheaper, but it is nice to buy in stores and not wait a week to get it

@dannyh8288 3 жыл бұрын

Starts at 2:40. You are welcome.

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@adamkim6263 7 жыл бұрын

This is Hank Hill irl.

@lionessroar8762 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this with us. 😘

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed my video

@keko0o0o0o0 3 жыл бұрын

Maaaan I always wondered what the tiny hole for on the torches. Pressure safety valve.

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Stay safe out there :)

@jumpercable20 3 жыл бұрын

Yep, I bought mine from Amazon for 6.94

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Great deal!

@crazycracker289 3 жыл бұрын

I've never seen someone refill a tank but leave the decal from the previous exchange still on there, they always remove it so they can inspect the tank for rust or damage before refilling. I watched the video mainly hoping to see how you removed the torch head from the tank, because I can't figure out how to hold the round part of the tank firmly enough to remove the head. But you didn't show that part :)

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

If the torch head is on the small tank to tight, you might try to use one of those strap wrenches Something like this: www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAP6FQJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_HYMGFCQXVJ63C5G2ZYBG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

@crazycracker289 3 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos I used an oil filter wrench and removed it easily, I don't know why it was on so tight in the first place!

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

It's those pythons you got putting it on so tight. Lol. Could have been a heat and cooling cycle

@jamesmcnemee5100 2 жыл бұрын

For the love of God turn your channel locks around and use them correctly. They function much better when used the right way. Js.

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

Yea, sorry, this has bugged quite a few people, I wasn't using a lot of pressure, so I just grabbed them and went with it

@jamesmcnemee5100 2 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos No worries brotha we've all done it! At least you know the right way, surprising how many don't. Cheers man! Thanks for the video BTW.

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@mjyanimations1062 6 жыл бұрын

Best idea for people in Australia

@MechanicalChaos 6 жыл бұрын

The part quickly pays for itself, Amazon has them for as low as $7, I paid about $25 and it was still worth it

@ashtonolson1686 Жыл бұрын

Did nobody notice the torch burning the propane tank???

@MechanicalChaos Жыл бұрын

I guess not

@mjyanimations1062 6 жыл бұрын

Cool cat

@MechanicalChaos 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, he is my producer, the dog is the director

@georgemichon426 2 жыл бұрын

Where do you buy this adapter??

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

Here is one from Amazon for about $9 a.co/d/0t1THV5

@KnifePlushie 7 жыл бұрын

Hey, nice video. I think you need a script, though. There were a lot of weird pauses when you were speaking. You could cut them out, or use a script to lessen them.

@MechanicalChaos 7 жыл бұрын

+KnifePlushie you're right about that

@YOURFISHINGCHANNEL 5 жыл бұрын

that helped a lot. thanks

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to hear that

@evkapoc 5 жыл бұрын

Vhat about chekvalve in small propane tank. It should be not possible to refill it .

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

I guess they don't put them in them any more

@eastin6868 5 жыл бұрын

They don't have them, I've been refilling them for many years. But I didn't spend no 25 dollars on a fitting

@georgecurtis6463 4 жыл бұрын

They do not need to be tightened by wrenches, etc. What do you think that rubber seal on the tip is for ?

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Good to know

@williamgleaves1954 5 жыл бұрын

Use a scale and tell us what the total weight should be with 14.1oz of propane.

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

I'll see what I can do

@cre8ive34 7 жыл бұрын

might want to wear a leather glove aswell for safety.

@nsix9 5 жыл бұрын

Would it be safe if I apply a vacuum pump to empty the torch tank and refill it

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

I'm not qualified to answer that one, I'm sorry

@mjyanimations1062 6 жыл бұрын

Propane vs butane

@MechanicalChaos 6 жыл бұрын

Don't make me pick favorites

@churchmouse2540 3 жыл бұрын

May have been covered but i didn't want to read 130 comments. Love this video a lot. You should attach the small bottle as you did here and tilt the whole thing to put a 45 degree angle on the small bot to fill more liquid? Put the inverted large bottle on the edge of the table and tilt while refilling? Great post

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I'll try that

@BenWeintraub 4 жыл бұрын

Mine won't fill very much, any idea why?

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

There are a few reasons it won't ever fill up as much as a new full one, one being that when you let some propain in the small bottle, it started to turn back into a gas and prevent more liquid from going into the bottle, I personally don't mind the partly full bottles because of how easy it is to refill them again.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Also make sure to flip the tank and then open the valve on the tank, the bottle will mostly fill with gas and will only let in a small amount of liquid

@obfuscated3090 6 жыл бұрын

Transfilling works, but doing it indoors is NOT wise. If you get a leaker you are MUCH safer outdoors. No reason exist to do gas servicing/transfilling indoors which is why I don't, and I transfill oxygen and welding gas (NOT acetylene, you will die) too.

@MechanicalChaos 6 жыл бұрын

Good info

@bbbmmm1713 5 жыл бұрын

How many of these videos do we need?

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

Probably no more after this one :)

@twisted55555 4 жыл бұрын

how many you gonna watch?

@bowlweevil4161 4 жыл бұрын

do not use wrench, tighten by hand and crack supply tank valve to check for leak, to get small tank full, after you turn supply tank upside down with small tank connected and tilt the big tank toward little tank till little tank is against floor now screw little tank until schrader valve is pointing up turn big tank valve on about 3/4 turn then take a matcgh stick and press schrader valve open until liquid propane comes out then take match stick out and disconnect bottles and little bottle should be near full wear safety glasses and wear leather gloves liquid propane can burn you by freezing your skin go OUTSIDE! you have to bleed the gas propane out so the liquid can get the bottle full BE CAREFULL

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to type all this good information out

@sam111880 5 жыл бұрын

Do you know if valve stems for car tires can be used in place of bent valve stems or is it a different grade or size for propane tanks ? Because i know i bent it a little so would like to either know if i bend it again i can just put on a valve stem that i pick up at local auto parts stores will work to??? Pretty sure its a different type of valve stem even though the same tool might work to take it off. So do you know where you can get the correct valves for the propane tanks?.

@Chris-zi9bb 6 жыл бұрын

Do this at your own risk! It does work, but its dangerous! There are some factors that he doesn't cover. Like pressure relieve valve position during refill to avoid over filling, a scale to check to "Gas Only" weight, releases of gas in overfilled tank, temperature change expansion, and water getting into the tank causing internal rusting weakening the tank and caution stress point explosions....

@MechanicalChaos 6 жыл бұрын

+Chris May these are all very good points

@edermitt 6 жыл бұрын

Don't just say it's dangerous, but explain exactly how it's dangerous. Overfilling is a non-issue if you weigh your bottles. Explain how "water" can get into a pressurized bottle? And what the hell are "stress point explosions"? You have no idea what you're talking about.

@chamo512 5 жыл бұрын

hola ,good video ,una question doble ,cuanto pesa empaty el recipiente y full

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you are asking

@chamo512 5 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos I am sorry, what weight should have the empty container of bernzomatic gas and after filling it with gas that weight should have full. Thank you

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what the full weight should be at, I tend to under-fill because it is so easy to keep refilling them, I'm sorry that I can't give you a better answer

@user-ws8ev7nz3e 5 жыл бұрын

I mean... It's written on the tank itself. "DO NOT REFILL".

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

Must be impossible then

@user-ws8ev7nz3e 5 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos nah, I mean it's kinda illegal and dangerous or something.

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

It isn't dangerous if you are careful, and not sure about the legality of it in other countries

@user-ws8ev7nz3e 5 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos misread the label. It says that it is illegal to commercially transport them.

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

Yea, they're going to put as much as they can so they're not liable for anything you do

@dwightdhansen 4 жыл бұрын

Does no one use Channellocks correctly?

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

You mean my hammer? :)

@dwightdhansen 4 жыл бұрын

LOL

@mds1986ms 4 жыл бұрын

This guy shouldn't be teaching anyone anything. This was 1/3 good info and 2/3 just forget everything he did in this video.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your input

@mds1986ms 4 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos Again sorry for comin in hot like that. Maybe next time we do some more research snd that way you can go in guns blazin with ALL the info you need to complete the task in safe yet efficient manner. Im not a safety first kind of person because i believe that if youre taugh how to do the job properly safety is inherent... so safety 3rd is what i say. Worry about doing it the proper way and we all go home in one piece. Again sorry about that i shouldve been more constructive with my criticism but sometimes people need uelled at. Lol.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

No worries, I appreciate the info and I hope the people watching my videos also find it to be useful

@mds1986ms 4 жыл бұрын

@@MechanicalChaos Personally i would either do an update to this video or post a follow video. It would really suck to find out someone got hurt or worse. I know i wouldn't handle that very well at all.

@mds1986ms 4 жыл бұрын

I use a 100ob tank. $60 to refill it and it holds 23.5 gallons of LP. Akso tanks are good for i believe 10-12 years theres a stamped date on the upper collar theres also the tare wieght of the tank which is good info to have because you can simply weigh your tank to know how much propane youve got left. And not that you should be using pump pliars on brass but flip the pump pliars around that way the harder you push the harder they bite in. Im sorry im really not trying to be a dick im just trying to helpout. Your a really nice dude so i cant stand around and watch ya struggle if i can help. Thats kinda 1 of my other things. I wont ask you if you need help, ill just start helping. If you have any other questions go ahead and ask the list of thing i dont know about is much shorter than the list of things i do know about. Everything is figureoutable, bud. Lol. Real sorry for writng a book here. Hope all that made sense and like i said any questions just ask im happy to help.

@RuelWasHere 3 жыл бұрын

DOZYANT valve

@MechanicalChaos 3 жыл бұрын

Yea

@bertoherto7872 4 жыл бұрын

Can u use butane ?

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure if the ends are compatible

@gilbertouribe570 3 жыл бұрын

Umm ahhh

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

Yep

@bientran 6 жыл бұрын

is it safe to refill those blue bottles, i have some from Home depot that says its not refillable.

@MechanicalChaos 6 жыл бұрын

+Bien Tran I've never had an issue, I think they put that on there incase some one refills an old rusty, dinted can

@bientran 6 жыл бұрын

thanks - will try it out, seems like a waste to dump a perfectly good tank.

@WuPongPingPPing 4 жыл бұрын

Gas* Not liquid. Propane isn't drinkable.

@MechanicalChaos 4 жыл бұрын

I sure wouldn't drink it

@brianmonticello5510 4 жыл бұрын

James propane under pressure is in a liquid state . When a valve is opened reducing pressure the liquid changes phases or boils off into a gas. Look at a clear lighter. You will see liquid inside. Even water, which is a liquid at atmospheric pressure will boil off at a low enough pressure.

@billwortham804 2 жыл бұрын

You need to stay in the office your dangerous!!

@MechanicalChaos 2 жыл бұрын

@christopherguy1217 5 жыл бұрын

If you transport that refilled 1 lb tank you could be fined $500,000 and go to jail for five years. There are 1 lb refillable tanks that are DOT approved that will save you from getting in trouble with the law. This is a dangerous way to save money and if you burn your house down, good luck collecting from the insurance company.

@MechanicalChaos 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your concern, I will look into the refillable bottles