WTF my propane pressure relief vavle activated

[blind drunk]

Man did it scare the shit right out of me. The thing blew out the other side of the valve. Made an exploding sound too and a bunch more nasty sounds throughout. Scarred and all I managed to turn off the flame and then stood back with a feeble water hose as the monster hissed and threatened. I quickly started hiding the incriminating implements and after about 10 minutes and some dousing with water the beast simmered down. Good thing I keep the tank around the corner from the burner. It's gonna be tough getting back on the horse after this. Giddy up. Still shaking

bd.

[rad14701]

If it's a rental tank it might be defective... Or it may have been due to icing if you were running hot and heavy... Your standard BBQ grill doesn't draw gas as fast as some of the burners we use...

Glad you came away merely shaken...

[MuleKicker]

Holy shit, I bet that scared you real good. That is one hell of a close call. Glad it worked out in your favor.
I dabble in explosives a little on the side, I took a full tank once, strapped a hell of a charge to the valve and let 'er rip out in the back yard a couple years ago. (I got a big back yard) Makes a hell of a show.

[blanikdog]

Years ago I had a gas lamp burning and for some reason I decided that the lamp needed to be tightened into the gas cylinder. Simple I thought, all I need to do is to tighten it and seeing it was dark I'll leave the lamp on.

Got the necessary spanner and went to work. The only thing that went wrong was that I forgot all about the left hand thread!!! Silly boy!

The first thing I remember was the very loud crack as my sphincter (sp?) snapped shut. Fortunately I could turn the main valve to OFF and the flames stopped. the whole incident took about a minute, Shaking fingers and hands accounted for a loss of time, but my shaking brain was the main offender. Never done anything like it since.

I know the feeling BD.

blanik

[HookLine]

The first thing I remember was the very loud crack as my sphincter (sp?) snapped shut.

(I know I shouldn't laugh at this, but you gotta admit that is damn funny.)

Glad everybody is okay, if a little shaken.

[blind drunk]

if it's a rental tank it might be defective... Or it may have been due to icing if you were running hot and heavy... Your standard BBQ grill doesn't draw gas as fast as some of the burners we use...

I ran it like I always do, so it might be defective. My burner is pretty lame in terms of its draw and the tank I was using just before was working fine. The defective one just wasn't running right. I couldn't get the flame stabilized etc. I just went to have another look and the propane still flows through the burner hose even when it's completely turned off. I think the valve is fried.

I dabble in explosives a little on the side, I took a full tank once, strapped a hell of a charge to the valve and let 'er rip out in the back yard a couple years ago. (I got a big back yard) Makes a hell of a show.

You're braver than I am!!

The first thing I remember was the very loud crack as my sphincter (sp?) snapped shut.

Too funny Better than the other alternative.

Still thinking about all that could have gone wrong.

And to add insult to injury, it was my first all grain and all managed was 1 gallon of low wines. Oh well.

[blind drunk]

Update -

I really needed to figure out what happened. Long story short, the tank was overfilled. A full 20 pound tank should weigh between 37 and 38 pounds max. I put the tank on my very accurate scale and it weighed in at 42.3 pounds. This is after the incident and all the propane that was vented through the pressure release valve. I was told by the gas expert that it could still be unstable and that I shouldn't travel with it in the back of my car to drive it up. I hope the service station is nice to me when I phone in the morning. I'll be expecting a home service call.

Feelingnotasdumb,

bd.

Moral of the story is always check the weight when the guy is filling your tank. I never paid much attention all these years; I will from now on.

[Dnderhead]

I was going to ask that,, it was probably filled cold,,then when it warmd up!!!!
I know its hard but best to sit tank out side, and run line in .that way any leaks will not collect. most tanks we have have Over Fill Protection
valves. but even so if it was filled cold it still could be over full.

[cob]

bd liquid propane in a tank expands 2% for every 10 degrees f. rise. if you have other uses for propane and the blow off isn't leaking (use soap) run it through an appliance you paid for it. the big question is, is your tank up to date? 3 pointed handle? does the noncom that packed your tank full still have a job? cob

[blind drunk]

if you have other uses for propane and the blow off isn't leaking (use soap) run it through an appliance you paid for it.

I do have other uses but the propane tank refurbisher said that it might be so full that it will freeze up again because there's no room in the tank for the propane to vaporize. So it has to be bled first.

Regarding temperature, it's been really mild here and pretty close to no temperature variation. I do everything outside but there is separation between the tank and the burner (the open style shed wall).

The tank is up to date (the dude checked as they are required by law), although without the over fill protection.

I actually called the gas inspector who oversees this sort of thing and he'll be paying the station a visit. I don't like to cause trouble but the clerk and then the manager were very indifferent about the whole thing. I worry that somebody could get hurt. I think they just need a friendly nudge to take this matter seriously. Maybe some retraining, etc.

Cheers,

bd

[heynonny]

If the tank is up to date, 3 point handle etc., then according to our Govt. it cant be overfilled. (!) Besides protecting us idiots from ourselves, the tank mfg. companies got to sell us a LOT of new tanks. If its a new tank and it was overfilled, I would DEMAND a new tank from where ever I bought it. BTW, at everywhere I have had tanks filled, they use a measure gauge (like on gas pumps) to fill, and fill till gas escapes over fill vent. No scales. -hey-

[cob]

i did ask google earth, it would only show me a blue marble. cob
edit. bd am i correct thinking your outside the us?

[blind drunk]

Well I got my new tank, delivered to my door with a friendly smile. They took away the blotted on in a pick up. This one feels a lot lighter Think I'm ready to get at it. bd.