LP gas tanks

[Robert L Sr]

So I got an Atlas min forge. It works a million times better than a MAP gas torch for heating metal. Of course, that is why I bought it in the first place.
The issue I am having is crappy propane tanks.
I have one tank that I have to fiddle with for ten or fifteen minutes before I get enough pressure out of it. Pretty sure the overfill prevention valve is messed up. Now this would not normally be a big deal but I just had it filled and don't want to waste the whole tank of gas. Historically, this can came from an exchange so it was probably junk when I got it but the BBQ didn't care as much.
This is not the first tank I have had problems with.
Is there a way to jimmy it or position the tank so it works like normal?

 

[Kevin McGovern]

Try turning it off let it sit for a few minutes and just open it 1/4 turn

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Also, make sure there is nothing blocking the POL fitting on the regulator.

 

[S.Alexander]

It could be your regulator. I had the same issue with my BBQ. Replaced the regulator and now it works fine.

 

[DanH45]

How cold is it in the shop? Preheat the tank by putting in bath of hot water, or with a heating pad maybe? Would work to increase pressure until tank swap time.

 

[bladegrinder]

There is a fitting inside the valve on the tank that can be removed with a spanner wrench, sometimes these will unscrew when you remove your connection, if they do it can stop the flow. usually you can screw them back in with a screw driver in one of the two slots on it.

 

[Robert L Sr]

Thanks for the tips guy. I will check it out when I get a chance. I got called out of town today and probably won't be back till tomorrow night or Tuesday sometime.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

How cold is it in the shop? Preheat the tank by putting in bath of hot water, or with a heating pad maybe? Would work to increase pressure until tank swap time.

In Arkansas, I doubt his propane is cold enough right now to be a problem.


NEVER warm a propane tank beyond normal room temperature. A water bath of room temperature water is used to prevent freeze-up on long forging sessions, but that is a very different situation than the one being discussed here.

Just to be clear, if a full tank was warmed too much ( above 120F), it could pop the relief valve and vent propane gas uncontrollably into the shop area.