Did overfill protection worked? (5.9 gallons)

[jojobafanzi]

Originally Posted by RT1997

Thank you very much for this valuable information.
But how you can be sure that the mechnical valve that insures 80% is not malfunctioning or broken?
"You can not overfill" - if it is true -that 's great news!

Also, If you did get the tank filled to the top, I recommend that you use up some of the propane on one of the appliances. If you are in an area that experiences large temperature swings, fuel that warms will expand and you don't want that. Here is a picture of the OPD valve on a 20# barbecue tank. Note the float and the bleed straw. Joe

[booster]

The vapor area at the top of the tank is probably part of the reason for the 80% fill, and probably the volume of vapor also to maintain uniform pressure, but those only affect high volume use.


The reason for the space, from a safety standpoint based on what I have read is that they do it to leave enough room for the the thermal expansion of the liquid propane when it gets warmer so you don't get a rupture or regulator failure and leak.


From Amerigas

The 80% fill rule is a preventative safety measure against the fluctuations that happen inside a tank. Propane, like water, will expand when heat is added to it. Propane, however, will increase in volume nearly 17 times greater than water over the same temperature increase. To allow for this expansion, propane containers are filled to only 80% of their capacity.

[RT-NY]

Originally Posted by booster

The reason for the space, from a safety standpoint based on what I have read is that they do it to leave enough room for the the thermal expansion of the liquid propane when it gets warmer so you don't get a rupture or regulator failure and leak.

But is a rupture of the tank itself likely? I thought the pressure release valve is supposed to prevent that possiblity.

[jojobafanzi]

Originally Posted by RT-NY

But is a rupture of the tank itself likely? I thought the pressure release valve is supposed to prevent that possiblity.

The relief valve will release excessive pressure. The tank is unlikely to rupture. Keep in mind, flammable gas will be released and would be a hazardous condition.

[RT1997]

Thank you,everyone for so much useful information
and giving me peace of mind that no damage was done.
Overfill might happen because the tech did not open the bleed valve.
But I used the stove for extended time and now the gauge shows 3/4.

[RT-NY]

Originally Posted by RT1997

Thank you,everyone for so much useful information
and giving me peace of mind that no damage was done.
Overfill might happen because the tech did not open the bleed valve.
But I used the stove for extended time and now the gauge shows 3/4.

RT1997 - one last bit of information on this thread. I looked at my own Manchester tank nameplate and some others online, and I took a closer look at the picture you had posted in an earlier thread of your nameplate, and increased the contrast a bit. I underlined in red the date (just as a reference) and where the capacity number should be relative to that. You just multiply that number by .8 for 80 percent. It is still hard to read, but I think it says 6.8 which would mean 5.44 gallons, though you should check that either by looking again at the plate or calling MobilifeRV.

[RT1997]

Thank you, RT-NY for your work on editing.
The plate on my tank can no longer be viewed ( it is on the bottom)..I will definitely call Canadians after their extended holiday break and post the outcome.

[RT-NY]

Originally Posted by RT1997

Thank you, RT-NY for your work on editing.
The plate on my tank can no longer be viewed ( it is on the bottom)..I will definitely call Canadians after their extended holiday break and post the outcome.

OK - I will be interested to know to compare it to my 1999. And maybe see if they can provide the Manchester tank number (called a "cat #" on the nameplate). For the 1999 RT 170, it is #6877 and it is a 8.4 gallon tank.

[RT1997]

I will .Hopefully 1999 tank size is close enough to 1994-1997 model.

[RT-NY]

Originally Posted by RT1997

I will .Hopefully 1999 tank size is close enough to 1994-1997 model.

Actually, I think it is quite a bit bigger in the 1999 model - I think they moved it to the back of the van and so were able to increase the size from a 30 pound capacity to a 35 pound capacity.

[RT1997]

I will ask them about RT 170 1999.
Is it Dodge?.
Their tech has decades of experience in installation on all RTs,including 170.

[RT-NY]

Originally Posted by RT1997

Is it Dodge?.

Yes, it is Dodge. I think all the 170s were Dodge until 2002 or 2003, whenever it was that Dodge stopped making those vans.

[Mike Bee]

I am the owner of a 1997 Dodge RT 170.

I bought my Rt from MobileRV in Kitchener , Ontario and live within an 1 1/2 hours in Oshawa, Ontario.

My owners manual and brochure lists all models of 1997 Roadtreks (Dodge 2500 -170, Dodge 3500-190 and Chevy G30 extended vans with an lp tank with the capacity of 26 litre/7 US gallons/30 lbs.

The lp tank on the Dodges is under the drivers step and at the rear on the Chevy.

Manual also says that tank was installed with diaphram vent facing downwards.

The reason for the tank ca[pacity being listed in litres/US gallons and pound capacity is because Imperial gallons are larger than American gallons and Canadian liquid volumes are nowusually listed in litres.

Yes my tank is filled until vapour hisses out of the overflow and there is sometimes vapour around the fil vent when the hose is disconnected. That is why the tech wears the heavy leather gloves to protect himself.

Mike Bee

[RT1997]

Originally Posted by Mike Bee

I am the owner of a 1997 Dodge RT 170.



Yes my tank is filled until vapour hisses out of the overflow and there is sometimes vapour around the fil vent when the hose is disconnected. That is why the tech wears the heavy leather gloves to protect himself.

Mike Bee

Thank you for the info on gallons.I think that original manual for RT 170 1997 most likely refers to US 5 gallons and it is 80% that allowed.
As far as "untill vapor hisses out of overflow" - it looks like the Fixed Liquid Level Gauge ( the primary tool to prevent overfill is not being used by the techs.Unfortunately it is not uncommon.

[RT1997]

Originally Posted by RT-NY

OK - I will be interested to know to compare it to my 1999. And maybe see if they can provide the Manchester tank number (called a "cat #" on the nameplate). For the 1999 RT 170, it is #6877 and it is a 8.4 gallon tank.

MobilifeRV have EXACT REPLACEMENT for your RT 170 1999 - HM414.

https://www.mobiliferv.ca/rv-parts/r...k-hm-414/6288/

The cat# on new tank and the capacity listed exactly the same (#6877 and 8.4 gal)
On mine -#675374 and 6.9 gal).

But the tech from Canada agreed that if in my case the tank is EXACT size as the old one, 5 US gallons as listed in the original manual should be that 80% that allowed and the tank is 20% or slightly more bigger.

[RT1997]

Originally Posted by Ken Allan

We have a Manchester 5.9 gal tank. It can only be filled to 80% (safety limit) because there is a mechanical fill valve inside that stops any more propane liquid from going in.

Unfortunately OPD works only with Fixed Liquid Level Gauge (bleed valve) open.

[RT-NY]

Originally Posted by RT1997

MobilifeRV have EXACT REPLACEMENT for your RT 170 1999 - HM414.

https://www.mobiliferv.ca/rv-parts/r...k-hm-414/6288/

The cat# on new tank and the capacity listed exactly the same (#6877 and 8.4 gal)
On mine -#675374 and 6.9 gal).

But the tech from Canada agreed that if in my case the tank is EXACT size as the old one, 5 US gallons as listed in the original manual should be that 80% that allowed and the tank is 20% or slightly more bigger.

You should stick to what you are comfortable with, but, are you sure about what that manual says? I took a look at both the brochure and owner's manual and did not see the 5 gallon number. All I see is 6.9 gallons. Can you double check the manual and which model year it is for?