In the keyhole on the front of the lock mechanism, insert the propane lock key. Counterclockwise turn the key until the lock cover comes off and the valve is exposed. If the lock cover won’t come off, turn it clockwise.
On the tip of the propane valve, look for the lock mechanism. It comes out of one side of the valve housing on the top of the tank.
What should you do if your propane tank refuses to open?
The first crucial thing to remember is that propane is extremely flammable. Make sure you don’t puncture the tank when replacing a malfunctioning tank valve to prevent further damage. Working in a well-ventilated environment is always a good idea, and never fire matches or lighters near your tank.
Instructions:
- Place the propane tank on a flat and stable surface. Make sure you’re in a dry, cool environment. Examine the tank for obvious signs of damage and try to locate the source of any suspected leaks.
- To acquire a better grip on the clogged valve, wrap the rubber band over the outer edges of the valve. Twist firmly to loosen and detach the valve with your hand after you have a solid grip.
- If this doesn’t work, lubricate the valve with a little oil or lubrication. To free the valve, shake it back and forth, then try to twist it open again.
- If the valve still won’t open, try pliers or a wrench to pry it open. To open the valve, firmly grasp the edge of the valve with your pliers and twist counterclockwise. Avoid applying too much pressure, since this may cause the valve to break.
- Evaluate the situation if your valves have rust or water damage. If the rust is still in its early stages, baking soda and vinegar might be used to remove it. If the valve is too far gone, you will need to replace it.
How do you get a propane tank to release?
You may find instructions on how to empty a propane tank all over the internet, but the advise should be avoided because it is VERY DANGEROUS. This is NOT how propane gas cylinders should be emptied:
- Do not disconnect the tank from the piping gas line or equipment to which it is connected.
- Place the tank in an open space area outside (this is not a good idea).
- Invert the propane cylinder such that the bottom is facing up and the handles are on the ground (this should not be done).
- (Do not do this.) Open the valve and let the liquid propane go.
- Close the valve (this is not a good idea).
What caused my propane tank to become locked?
We fill propane tanks here at The Country Hearth… after all, it’s a huge part of what we do. Every day, we fill tanks ranging from 5 pounds to 100 pounds, and I thought I’d let you in on a little secret that has a TON of folks coming in for no apparent reason…
The tank is full, but nothing happens when it is connected. The consumer believes the tank is empty and comes to see us to spend time and petrol, only to be told they have a…
So, here’s what it means to “lock out.” All domestic LP tanks must contain a protection device as part of the valve system, as specified by the federal government in 2001. For safety concerns, this will physically lock you out of your propane tank (i.e. propane goes BOOM).
If you do the following, you will give yourself a LOCK OUT:
- Connect your propane tank and turn on one or more of your grill control valves before turning on the tank.
- Turn many control valves on at the same time to turn your grill on.
- Only the propane tank should be turned off when your grill is turned off.
- Excessive sunshine (overheating) might potentially result in a LOCK OUT.
- When the propane is exposed to too much sunlight, it heats up and builds tremendous pressure.
- A LOCK OUT will occur if there is a leak or any problem with the tank.
THIS IS WHAT YOU MUST DO:
- Remove the propane cylinder from the tank and close the valve.
- Remove the black QCC connection slowly (the black fitting that connects to the propane tank).
- Make that the valves on the appliance (grill, heater, etc.) are turned off.
- Connect the tank to the QCC again (black fitting that connects to the propane tank).
- RETURN THE FUEL TO YOUR PROPANE TANK SLOWLY.
- Restart your appliance, one valve at a time, then light it up… THEN TURN ON THE OTHER VALVES (Scott, you’re next).
You’ll most likely get locked out again if the tank is heated. If this happens, simply follow the steps again.
So don’t get locked out, and if you do, don’t freak out. When dealing with sweet lady propane, safety is paramount, and we don’t want to hear any “BOOMS.”
How do you get a propane tank that has been vapor locked unlocked?
An excess flow valve is installed in propane tanks. This may have tripped and slammed shut. Usually, closing the valve and waiting a few moments before slowly opening it fixes the problem.
Burping the Propane Tank
To begin, open the hood of your grill to ensure that no gas is accumulating inside. Second, switch off all of the grill’s burners. Make sure that all of the burners are turned off.
Twist the gas tank shutoff valve clockwise until it is completely closed on your propane tank. After that, remove the propane tank hose in the same manner as when you replace the tank. As the excess pressure is released, you’ll probably hear a tiny hiss. Your propane tank just burped like a newborn.
Starting Your Grill Safely
Wait around 30 seconds before reconnecting the hose. The propane regulator will reset itself during this time.
Reconnect the hose once you’ve waited, making sure it’s correctly tightened. Reopen the propane valve a quarter turn once the hose is in place. It’s critical to slowly reopen the valve, as doing so too quickly may cause the regulator to trip again. After you’ve made this initial turn, slowly open it all the way.
What is the purpose of a propane tank valve?
Turning the hand wheel anti-clockwise to start the flow of gas (propane tank) is how the LPG gas cylinder (propane tank) works, however you should avoid turning it hard to the open stop.
Once the connection is secure, the gas valve hand wheel, which is located on the top of the POL valve, controls the flow of gas.
Turning the hand wheel clockwise and tightening it firmly by hand is how you turn the gas off.
In the operation of an LPG cylinder-bottle, the pressure relief valve is the single most important safety element (propane tank works).
It’s built into the POL valve and appears as a protrusion on the opposite side of the main connection.
It normally comes with a plastic dust cover, which should be left in place.
Overfilling or exposure to high heat or fire can cause excess pressure, which can be relieved using pressure relief valves.
A pressure relief valve prevents a cylinder from rupturing in the unlikely event of an excessive build-up of pressure.
The pressure relief valves are kept closed by a robust spring inside.
The valve will remain closed as long as the pressure is less than that of the spring.
LPG Gas Cylinder Works (Propane Tank Works) by Venting of Gas
When the pressure in the LPG gas cylinder (propane tank) rises above acceptable levels, the pressure relief valve opens to release the excess pressure.
You may hear a hissing sound and see chilly gas vapour being emitted if this happens.
It’s unusual for the pressure relief valve to release gas. The majority of individuals will never have to vent.
Call your LPG supplier from a safe area and inform them that your gas cylinder is releasing gas.
If you’re near a venting gas cylinder, don’t use your phone, any electrical gadgets, or any other ignition sources.
Final Thoughts
After growing over many decades into a very safe storage and gas transportation system, an LPG gas cylinder-bottle works (propane tank works) went unnoticed.
They’re also simple to use and don’t require much care until they need to be refilled.
by Rich Morahan
Green’s Propane Gas, Smiths Station, AL, owner Mike Green, is committed to locking his propane tanks. “Lock America’s filler valve lock will pay for itself by preventing delinquent clients from going to other suppliers and protecting our tanks from tampering,” he says, referring to his investment in tank locks.
A locked tank was previously a relatively new notion in the propane industry, but it has existed in another industry for decades. Even if we learnt about self-storage from Storage Wars, most of us have a basic understanding of how it works. They will lock up your belongings if you do not pay your payment.
That’s why Frank Minnella, CEO of Lock America in Corona, CA, decided to use his experience with self-storage “lock out locks for propane tanks.” “What happens if I don’t pay my bill?” he inquired of his propane dealer. “We stop delivering,” says the answer, “which in most circumstances results in lost income that goes to a rival.”
Frank and his partner, Steve Shiao, along with his propane dealer, developed the Fill Valve Lock and the POLock based on their 30 years of experience inventing security solutions for self-storage. There were several padlocks and “clamshell” devices on the market before, but they were the first locks made expressly for propane tanks. They are still the only ones designed for this application.
Wake-Up Calls and Leased Tanks
POLock and Fill Valve Lock are revenue enhancers and asset protectors, according to Bill Pohlhaus of Tevis Oil, Inc. in Hempstead, MD. The POLock is used by his company to cut off the output valve of overdue customers’ tanks. The lock, according to Bill, is a “wake-up call” that gets consumers up to date on their bills.
Tevis’ investment in leased tanks is protected by the Fill Valve. Propane tanks are owned and maintained by the propane company in almost all states, and propane customers’ contracts prevent other companies from filling the tanks. It is actually against the law in Pohlhaus’s state for any company to fill another company’s propane tanks. The Fill Valve lock enforces the law while also providing two additional benefits: it guarantees that Bill’s customers stay to their agreements to buy fuel from him, and it shields him from any liability if an unqualified outside agent interferes with his tanks.
Steady Growth in Propane
For nearly five years, Ray Murray, Inc. (RMI) of Lee, MA has distributed the Fill Valve Lock and POLock. These novel concept locks designed exclusively for propane tanks have shown steady growth in sales. Other locking products, which typically consist of a regular padlock plus a metal clamp, or “clamshell,” outsell them.
The industry-focused design and unique key code that each Lock America customer receives, according to John Murray, Vice President and LP Product Manager for RMI, are significant benefits. The Fill Valve Lock or POLock can only be opened by an authorized propane driver or corporate representative.
From Lock Out to Roll Out
The locks were put by Mike Svoboda of Axmen Propane in Missoula, Montana, to secure his investment. “Competitors were filling our tanks,” he claims, particularly when properties changed hands. The Lock America Fill Valve and POLock were used to solve the problem. The driver can secure every leased tank on his route with a single registered key code, ensuring that Axmen Propane is the only dealer that fills our leased tanks, safeguarding our business and customers from private dealers and, ultimately, safeguarding our investment.
Initially, propane dealers used the tank lock to disconnect delinquent consumers, but many expanded their usage of it. As Bill Green points out, “I started with my ‘Will Calls,’ then moved on to the automatics, and now I’m implementing the lock on all of my new tanks. When a customer had a past due account or an unethical firm came, the tags on our tanks would occasionally vanish. There are no talks, no disagreements, simply bills completed before delivery with the lock.
A similar scenario is told by Brian Wanner of Silvertip Propane in Billings, Montana. “When people shopped for credit, we were losing business. When they owe us money, we now lock the fill and outflow valves. Profits have increased. We’re installing locks on all of our new tanks and gradually implementing them across the industry.
Protection Against Potential Liability
The POLock can also safeguard a propane supplier from a consumer who tries to enter a locked tank and causes an accident.
Two multimillion-dollar lawsuits show how costly propane tank explosions can be. A jury found a Louisiana gas supplier accountable for damages caused by an explosion, despite the fact that the firm had installed what it thought was a secure outlet plug mechanism on the tank before it detonated.
The consumer allegedly had little trouble removing the device with a wrench, culminating in a catastrophic explosion. The propane firm had made insufficient efforts to secure the disconnected gas connection and protect its consumer, according to the jury. An insecure outlet valve plug and a plain red warning label couldn’t stop the consumer from reconnecting the gas line, and the corporation couldn’t defend itself from the consequent responsibility.
Any mechanism “that may be opened with simple household equipment cannot be termed a locking device,” according to the ruling.
A propane gas dealer in Indiana elected to disconnect a half-full tank and secure it with only a warning notice and an outlet plug device in a second case. Despite tampering with the outlet plug mechanism, the plaintiff in this case sought damages. Following the removal of the device, the plaintiff reconnected the tank on his own, resulting in an explosion that harmed a number of individuals.
Surprisingly, he then sued the propane company for failing to protect him from… himself.
The court found that the corporation owed a “general duty of reasonable care” to everyone who might be hurt by its propane in that situation. Despite the fact that the outlet valve stopper “was suspiciously removed” and the gas line “was mysteriously reconnected,” the court dismissed the company’s summary judgment request.
Both cases demonstrate how reliance on a faulty outlet valve plug and a red warning label can result in a lawsuit. Even if the propane dealer wins, legal fees might add up quickly.
Protect Revenue and Assets
The Fill Valve Lock and The POLock keep the propane dealer in control of their tanks by keeping competitors out and stopping consumers from tampering, preserving both the dealer’s company and the safety of their customers. To control delinquencies and tardy payments, a corporation can start with a “lock out program,” or it can lock all of its tanks to enforce its contracts. Propane tank locks pay for themselves in either case.
Why isn’t my propane tank emptying?
Most propane tanks will not release fuel if the valve is opened all the way. This is for safety reasons. Simply close the valve on your propane tank all the way to check for this problem. You may now re-open the propane tank by turning the valve simply once. Propane should be flowing at this point.
What’s the best way to open a gas valve?
Turn the valve handwheel anti-clockwise 2 or 3 degrees to turn the gas cylinders on (to open the gas cylinder valve) (do not open hard against the stop). Turn the circular valve handwheel positioned on top of the LPG gas cylinder clockwise until snug by hand alone (do not overtighten). If you have two (or more) cylinders, you’ll need to repeat the valve shutting operation to turn them all off.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to the procedures: