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Old 05-11-2013, 09:50 AM   #1
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Filling propane bottles?

We have a tank exchange program at some of our gas stations, this would be a lot easier for me to do then to stop and fill up at a gas/propane station.

Any issues with this?
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Old 05-11-2013, 02:15 PM   #2
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If it is like the Blue Rhino exchanges around locally they fill the tanks to 75% as opposed to 80% to help keep the price point down. YMMV
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Old 05-11-2013, 02:23 PM   #3
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I know how my tanks has been treated, stored, maintained, etc. I have no idea what folks who had exchange tanks before me did to the tanks. Also since I use the fuel in my tanks and watch it get filled back up I know that I am getting fuel I paid for. I don't trust the exchange programs and don't want their tanks feet from my head when I sleep.
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Old 05-11-2013, 02:36 PM   #4
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If you aren't concerned about the age or condition of the tanks, swapping them will work, but you'll pay more. Alsoif you have 30# tanks on your trailer, you don't want to give them away for 20#ers. It's not that big a deal to take them off and take them for a refill.
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Old 05-11-2013, 03:00 PM   #5
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If it is like the Blue Rhino exchanges around locally they fill the tanks to 75% as opposed to 80% to help keep the price point down. YMMV
Yep. And word I have is that for a while Blue Rhino was using a proprietary filling method to try and stop other suppliers from filling their gray tanks. The governing agency forced them to stop the practice, but there are refilling stations who refuse to fill a Blue Rhino tank at all because there can be problems with the old proprietary style valve assemblies.

I'd think getting your own tanks refilled is best for the reasons already mentioned. Just be aware that the tanks are required to have a periodic service inspection and stamp. Federal law requires all propane tanks to be re-certified after 12 years of the original manufacture date and I believe every 5 years after that. If you are nearing inspection one way to avoid the inspection fees or tank replacement is to exchange it for one with a more recent date. Exchange suppliers generally don't check or care what the age of the returned tank is. vic
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Old 05-11-2013, 03:32 PM   #6
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I use exchange tanks for my home BBQ and patio heater. My old ones expired and it was just simpler and cheaper then buying new ones.

My trailer is brand new as are the tanks so I will be refilling those.
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Old 05-11-2013, 04:05 PM   #7
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For all of the reasons stated above, I would never rely on exchange tanks. Mine will always be refilled. I have two welders in my shop, and for the same reasons, I own my own tanks and always have them refilled. I do not care to inherit someone else's problems.
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Old 05-11-2013, 04:28 PM   #8
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Good suggestions in here!

I will continue tank exchange for the bbq, but since my tt tanks are brand new I will be just getting them refilled.

Thanks!
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Old 05-11-2013, 04:51 PM   #9
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I see you are from Canada as well. For me in New Brunswick Costco is half the cost for refills as others in my area. The membership is more than paid for as a fill my tanks atleast once a month in the summer months.
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Old 05-11-2013, 05:12 PM   #10
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For all of the reasons stated above, I would never rely on exchange tanks. Mine will always be refilled. I have two welders in my shop, and for the same reasons, I own my own tanks and always have them refilled. I do not care to inherit someone else's problems.
Just curious, what problems are you referring too? Anything I should look out for?
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Old 05-11-2013, 07:00 PM   #11
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Its cheaper to refill your tanks then exchange them, and I`ve not seen 30# tank exchanges anyway. Some of those exchange tanks although recertified are ancient, with some dating back to the 80`s. I would not trade in my new tanks for some possibly very old ones. Even for the BBQ grill or other 20# tank needs I get them refilled.
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Old 05-11-2013, 08:14 PM   #12
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Don't give up your original tanks. 20lb exchange tanks by law can only be filled to 15lbs. So right of the bat you are losing 25% of your gas for more money.
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Old 05-11-2013, 08:45 PM   #13
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Don't give up your original tanks. 20lb exchange tanks by law can only be filled to 15lbs. So right of the bat you are losing 25% of your gas for more money.
Curious, hadn't heard that before. In Canada anyhow, my understanding is exchange tanks must be filled to the same amount as refill tanks.

http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/sta...tores/190.aspx
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Old 05-12-2013, 05:51 PM   #14
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I always refill mine. I use one tank and keep the other as a spare. When one runs out I swap tanks and get the empty refilled asap.
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Old 05-12-2013, 07:10 PM   #15
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Filling propane bottles?

Will they top off a tank that is half full? Also about how much does it cost to refill a tank?
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Old 05-12-2013, 07:15 PM   #16
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Filling propane bottles?

Some places charge a flat fee no matter the tank half full or completely empty. Other places charge you based on what they put in the tank. Uhaul usually charges how much the tank takes. BJ's near me is $14 for members, and the cheapest in New England is in Salem, NH @ dodge grain at $9.18 to fill an empty tank.
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Old 05-12-2013, 07:29 PM   #17
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Will they top off a tank that is half full? Also about how much does it cost to refill a tank?
For years our best price was 10 bucks refill for a 20# in Niagara Falls, NY area. MT or 1/2 full tank, same refill price. Recently it went up to $12. Other locations refill based upon the weight of fuel as measured in.

Exchange is $17.95 to around 20 bucks. I do agree that many exchange tanks out of the filled cabinet feel light so I think there may be less gas volume for the money. I haven't weighed the exchange refills so I have no data to confirm if they are really lighter. vic
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Old 05-12-2013, 08:20 PM   #18
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Some RV dealers and campgrounds offer propane to refuel tanks. Check those out. Like most here, we never trade. Not a good idea for your camper needs.
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Old 05-12-2013, 09:20 PM   #19
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Some places charge a flat fee no matter the tank half full or completely empty. Other places charge you based on what they put in the tank. Uhaul usually charges how much the tank takes. BJ's near me is $14 for members, and the cheapest in New England is in Salem, NH @ dodge grain at $9.18 to fill an empty tank.


Wow. We are so overcharged. There are very few refill places left around here and they are over $20 bucks. The last exchange I got was $21.99.
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Old 05-13-2013, 01:56 AM   #20
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For years our best price was 10 bucks refill for a 20# in Niagara Falls, NY area. MT or 1/2 full tank, same refill price. Recently it went up to $12. Other locations refill based upon the weight of fuel as measured in.

Exchange is $17.95 to around 20 bucks. I do agree that many exchange tanks out of the filled cabinet feel light so I think there may be less gas volume for the money. I haven't weighed the exchange refills so I have no data to confirm if they are really lighter. vic

They only put 15lbs in the exchange tanks, its right on the label..... Here a 30lb empty tank refill is about 20 bucks and they weigh the tank so if its not empty you only pay for what get.
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