Gas Bottle Swap

[pet-els]

Steve,
I think all swap and go bottles are
3.8kg for the 4.5kg
8.5kg for the 9kg

PeterH

[generdawg]

I think all swap and go bottles are
3.8kg for the 4.5kg
8.5kg for the 9kg

Bingo! And lucky if you get that much.
I seriously considered bringing the scales on this trip and only just thought of the small compact luggage scales left at home as I was typing this reply

dawg in A van

[Newcastle George]

Not sure if this is fact or not, but I was of the impression that the swap and go bottles were only allowed to be filled to 80 or 85% of their capacity.

George

[Chuck]

Which is why I will never use them... much prefer the refills at BCF.

[baysidetas]

Not sure if this applies on the big island but down here retailers advertise what we once knew as a 4 kg bottle as a 3.7kg.
This recognizes the fact that they are not allowed to fill a bottle beyond the 90% level (to allow for expansion).

The cheapest rate I have found for a small bottle swap in Tas. is at Bunnings.

[SteveW]

The cheapest rate I have found for a small bottle swap in Tas. is at Bunnings.

How much? - Tasmania is our next stop.

[pet-els]

When they were built they would have to pass the Australian rules etc, which would have allowed ullage room.

PeterH

[John M]

When they were built they would have to pass the Australian rules etc, which would have allowed ullage room.

PeterH

When the cylinders are tested, according to Australian standards, they are visually inspected, both internally and externally before being filled to the 90% level with water (by weight) and then subjected to well over the certified pressure for a specified time. The reason for filling them with water, is that it will not compress and if a leak occurs there is merely a jet, or seep of water, the cylinder does not burst. I do not remember either the pressure or the time involved, but it is significant.
I was employed for a time by CIG and never actually did the testing, but was instructed on the procedure and was present when it was done.
I believe the current standard of charging to 8.5kg by weight is primarily influenced by profit not safety. I was instructed that the pressure maintained within an LPG cylinder remains constant no matter the fluid level, as LPG liquefies once that pressure is exceeded, and only converts to a gas once that pressure drops sufficiently for the liquid to evaporate, which is why pressure type of gauges cannot be used to check level.

[Noggins]

I carry a small fish scale in the van ( some day I'll catch a fish I could use it on ) that I use when I have to refill a gas bottle.
Even at BCF the gas filler doesn't always fill it right up, just to the first squirt of gas and off off goes.
The scale is set with marks for the Empty Bottle and then 9Kg past that.

"Sorry mate it's only got 7Kg better fill it up ehh"

Even when I had to get a swap and go for the BBQ I used the scales and measure each bottle's weight.
Surprising how much they vary from the weight stamped on the bottle to the supposed 8.5 Kg of gas they're supposed to have in them.

Ron

[pet-els]

JohnM,
I was involved with the filling of Chlorine cylinders & drums. All were built to a standard IE, exact weight which allowed for ullage. Chlorine is liquid at 147 degrees Kelvin, one cupful would expand into gas and fill a room the size of a picture theatre, and gas most people in it.

PeterH