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Igeo
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018
Posts: 914
Location: Oakland, CA
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 Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2025 8:15 am Post subject: DIY propane tank fill |
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I'm pretty sure I saw that we can fill the propane tank via a 20 lb bottle. Was I dreaming or can this be done with the correct adapter? Is it simple gravity feed? Does the receiving tank need to be chilled?
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual |
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 5915
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2025 8:36 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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i fill my tank from a 20lb bottle. i use the Flame King valve used for refilling the 1lb bottles, remove the bottle thread and put an ACME valve in its place. bottle must be upside down and doesn't require a temperature differential but it does need the 80% valve open nearly all the way to create the pressure differential for the liquid propane to flow between the bottle and the tank. it flows pretty slow but does fill the tank until the 80% valve spits liquid.
all manner of woe can be had if you don't think this thru. use unregulated propane pressure rated hose, frost barrier gloves, extreme ventilation, no flames, fire extinguisher handy.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8249
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2025 9:54 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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| Igeo wrote: |
| Does the receiving tank need to be chilled? |
The receiving tank needs to be lower in temp so I warm the donor tank.
I had a similar adapter made to transfer 1 lb bottles to the Westy propane tank in case I ran out. In 10 years I’ve primarily used it to test the concept but I’m ready if need be. 
This thread is on transferring from 1 lb bottles. Similar concept. There are threads on the 20 lb bottles but I can’t find ‘em now.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
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- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10814
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2025 10:16 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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| Igeo wrote: |
| Does the receiving tank need to be chilled? |
If your receiving tank is cooler (thus lower pressure) than the supply tank, the liquid propane will flow faster.
This method can work pretty fast if your home is in a cold climate. Put the supply tank in the house for a day or two, maybe near a heat-register. Your transfer will be quickest when the receiving tank is coolest and supply tank is warmest.
When the pressure differential is higher it will flow faster.
Like DanHoug wrote you can open the bleed valve on the receiving tank to reduce tank pressure (and its temp) but that wastes propane, you don't want to leave it open long. If you have the time it's kinda better to use temperature to transfer. It's a little safer and less waste.
It works best with a "full" 20lb BBQ tank (supply tank).
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'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
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Van den Broke
Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2012
Posts: 237
Location: Victoria, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2025 10:30 pm Post subject: Re: Temperature differential |
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| To aid in the flow by utilizing temperature variation I spray painted the BBQ tank black. Then I transfer in the sun with the receiving vessel shaded by a small piece of plywood. |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 24364
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2025 3:20 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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Welders warm their acetylene tanks with flame. Don’t use too much oxygen
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Igeo
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018
Posts: 914
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2025 7:59 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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Thanks guys, I'll see what I can cobble together. I ran out of propane last weekend. First time actually running out! Really only thinking to keep the hose/fittings in the van as a backup or plan B if I can prove it works for me.
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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 8974
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| Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:07 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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About how long does it take to fill an empty tank on the van with a full 20lbs bbq style tank? Using the techniques mentioned
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Igeo
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018
Posts: 914
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:14 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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I think it will depend primarily on the temperature dfferential and position of the donor bottle. I'll post up a result when I try it here in Oakland.
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10814
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2025 11:15 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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| Igeo wrote: |
| I think it will depend primarily on the temperature dfferential and position of the donor bottle. I'll post up a result when I try it here in Oakland. |
And the heights. If you have a longer hose and put the donor higher it goes faster due to gravity.
When you finish it's useful to drain the liquid out of the hose into the receiving tank.
A longer hose holds more liquid.
Liquid propane in the hose flashes to vapor upon disconnect
and can be a little "disconcerting".
It takes thought, understanding and a little effort to drain the hose.
Much like using the word disconcerting instead of its sloppy modern slang "concerning", you may be the only person who notices effort spent.
Put your ear to the hose while it's transferring.
Then later. listen again, it will be going slower.
This gives a little perspective in guessing when flow has stopped.
To do this you must be in a quiet area or during quiet part of the day.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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MsTaboo
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4624
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2025 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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| Igeo wrote: |
| Thanks guys, I'll see what I can cobble together. I ran out of propane last weekend. First time actually running out! Really only thinking to keep the hose/fittings in the van as a backup or plan B if I can prove it works for me. |
I went with this setup years ago, allows carrying a mini tank for backup when winter camping and using Propex heater:
I don't try to refill the stock tank, just use as a passthrough to the onboard system. We keep the hose and adaptor in the camper all the time but only pack along the mini tank if planning extended trip.
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10814
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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| MsTaboo wrote: |
| I don't try to refill the stock tank, just use as a passthrough to the onboard system. We keep the hose and adaptor in the camper all the time but only pack along the mini tank if planning extended trip. |
Next time hang that tank upside down from the drip rail for a few hours. Then you can put it away (empty) and next campsite you won't have to get it out again.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Igeo
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018
Posts: 914
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 10:43 pm Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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| MsTaboo wrote: |
| Igeo wrote: |
| Thanks guys, I'll see what I can cobble together. I ran out of propane last weekend. First time actually running out! Really only thinking to keep the hose/fittings in the van as a backup or plan B if I can prove it works for me. |
I went with this setup years ago, allows carrying a mini tank for backup when winter camping and using Propex heater:
I don't try to refill the stock tank, just use as a passthrough to the onboard system. We keep the hose and adaptor in the camper all the time but only pack along the mini tank if planning extended trip. |
So the donor tank is con8nected to the fill of the stock tank.. And this just creates extra capacity? What's a mini tank?
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 10303
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Yesterday 10:00 am Post subject: Re: DIY propane tank fill |
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Looks like a 5lb tank.
https://a.co/d/gAtgtpz |
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