On Oct 30, 6:27 am, tom wrote:
Possible stupid ?s, I've never used propane before.

So I've got this nice new aluminum propane tank, what I see is you
exchange the
tanks, something I don't want to do, I want my tank back, is this
normal request ...

This is a normal request. You can get propane tanks filled just about
anywhere in the world. You typically go into your local gas company,
hardware store, or service station with your empty tank and ask them
to fill it. In the US you will buy gallons of propane, most
everywhere else you will buy kilos. Partial fills aren't a problem.
Most places will put your tank on a scale and fill it until its weight
matches that stamped on the tank. In the US they will fill it until
the OPD closes...

-- Tom.

wrote:

:This is a normal request. You can get propane tanks filled just about
:anywhere in the world. You typically go into your local gas company,
:hardware store, or service station with your empty tank and ask them
:to fill it. In the US you will buy gallons of propane, most
:everywhere else you will buy kilos. Partial fills aren't a problem.
:Most places will put your tank on a scale and fill it until its weight
:matches that stamped on the tank. In the US they will fill it until
:the OPD closes...

Legally, they're generally required to fill by weight. The cylinder has
three sets of numbers of interest. It's got the date of manufacture and
of recertificaton. It's got a tare weight (labled TW, about 18 for a 20
lb steel cylinder.), which is the weight of the empty cylinder. It's got the
water capacity of the cylinder. That's the weight of the water, in pounds,
cylinder holds if filled. The conversion from WC to pounds of propane is a
WC of 2.39 equals one pound of propane, but everyone uses a chart. The
actual filled weight isn't on the cylinder.

You're right that it's common practice to fill until the OPD shuts
off, though.