However, small volumes of gas in cylinders force the user to often buy new ones or think about self-refueling. We will talk about how to refill gas cans for burners with their own hands. This simple procedure will save you money.
In the article we have proposed, we consider all refueling options available for independent implementation. Detailed guidelines and recommendations for the implementation of work are provided. Based on our tips, you can easily cope with filling the mini tank with liquefied gas.
Types of cartridges for travel burners
Tourists and travelers on hikes need a source of fire for cooking. In such cases, gas burners are a convenient tool. In construction and in the household, they also find active application.
Users who decide to fill the cans with gas in order to save money must follow the safety rules, take into account the nuances and follow the replacement technology. Then this procedure will go smoothly and without undesirable consequences.
If the collet (left) or threaded (right) gas canister is not completely empty during operation, it is not necessary to throw it away. It is possible to refuel them from each other or from a large gas cylinder
First you need to determine the type of connection of the cylinder to the burner.
There are four types of connection:
- Threaded EU - designed to fix the burner by screwing it onto a cylinder, meets European standards;
- Threaded US - similar to the first type of connection with a small difference, meets American standards;
- Collet - the burner is mounted and scrolls a little until it locks in place, there is a safety valve, it is possible to buy an adapter, with long use the mount is loose and gas leakage is possible;
- Valve - fixed with a special lock, such cylinders are attached only to the models of burners intended for them, the valve prevents gas leakage, in practice, has the longest service life;
- Punctured - a disposable cylinder is attached with a light touch and is not removed until the gas is completely consumed, it is not subject to refueling.
The most common version of a replaceable cartridge for a gas burner is equipped with a thread. It is simpler and more convenient for regular replacement.
The most popular cartridge options are designed for thread and valve connections. This mount provides a tight fit, and a safety valve prevents gas leakage.
You can disconnect the threaded can at any time, but with a punctured type this will not work. Have to wait for his devastation.
Regardless of the type and size of the “donor,” the essence of the process is to create a tight connection for pumping liquefied gas from one tank to another
Threaded Refill
The first thing to do before starting refueling is to find a source of gas. As a source, large gas cylinders of various volumes from five to three hundred liters are used. You must make sure that your canister does not contain gas residues and completely empty it.
Next, you need to find an adapter that is suitable for attaching a cylinder - a gas source and attaching an empty can. The adapter is bought or assembled with your own hands.
It is important that it does not allow gas leakage during transfusion.You also need to find the exact scales that will allow you to weigh an empty can before refueling and after, in order to find out the weight of the filled gas.
Now we will describe how to gradually fill a gas canister from a large canister without buying a new one:
- Weigh the empty spray can, determine its exact weight;
- We place a large balloon horizontally and fix it in any suitable way. Under the lower part of the container, something should be placed so that it is higher than the upper one. This trick will facilitate gas transfusion;
- Using a pre-prepared adapter, connect the empty spray can to a gas source;
- We shut off the adapter valve on the can, and unscrew the large cylinder valve;
- Slowly unscrew the valve on the cylinder and start refueling;
- While you hear the movement of gas through the hose, refueling occurs, if the sound disappears, you can shake the can. This will add a little more gas;
- After the transfusion sound has completely disappeared, you should close both valves, unscrew the can, and shake it. If you hear the sound of plopping laden with liquefied fuel, then the refueling was successful;
- You should also check the tightness of the can with a soap solution;
- Then weigh the filled can and determine the weight of the gas inside it. If there is more gas than necessary, then you need to vent excess.
Typically, 10 minutes is enough to refuel a mini balloon. This period of time allows you to fill in about 150 - 180 g of liquefied blue fuel.
Since it is necessary to transfer liquid gas from a large container, it should be turned upside down or laid on its side. If this is not possible, then at least tilt it, given the specifics of filling the tank
Refill cartridges with collet connection
To refill cartridges with a collet connection, you should purchase an adapter or adapter designed for these purposes. Its cost in online stores usually does not exceed ten dollars.
The design of this device is as follows: a tube made of a polymer or a metal alloy is equipped on one side with a union nut. It provides a tight attachment to a large gas cylinder, and on the other hand there is a collet clamp with a handle that opens or closes the gas supply to the can.
So, to refuel small gas cylinders with a collet from a large one, a series of actions should be carried out sequentially:
- Weigh the empty spray can;
- Close the valve in the collet clamp on the adapter;
- We fasten the union nut to the gas source (this can be a cylinder of any volume);
- We check the tightness of the adapter connection with soapy water;
- We turn the large cylinder with the valve down, since we are interested in liquid gas;
- We fix a collet clip to an empty tourist spray can;
- Using the handle we start the gas, which for some time will fill the tank;
- Close the valve, unscrew the can, check its tightness and weigh. It indicates how much a full spray can weigh, this is an approximate guideline.
Remember that when storing a tourist can for mini-burners in hot rooms at high temperatures, the gas inside it expands. If you do not leave a gas cap, a kind of reserve volume in the can, then it is possible to inflate. That is, it is necessary to refill the can so that the rattling of liquid gas inside is heard.
Weighing the can after refilling and comparing the performance with the factory data on the instructions is a reliable way to make sure the cartridge is fully refilled
During the transfusion, the filling system is cooled and even covered with hoarfrost. Do not be afraid, just wait until everything melts and continue to work.
It is recommended to work exclusively with gloves.Always screw the adapter carefully, as it is very easy to damage the threads, which will make it impossible to refuel a tourist gas bottle at home.
In the room where the gas transfusion is carried out, there should be no sources of fire, a working torch for soldering pipes or the included burner. Some spray cans are not refueling. For safety reasons, it is recommended that you refuel one canister no more than four times, and then buy a new one.
Many manufacturers indicate the inadmissibility of refueling their products. Cylinders of well-known manufacturers, as a rule, last longer. If dents appear on the case and other signs of deformation, you should not risk it, but it is better to throw out such a spray can and buy a new one.
Weighing the can after refilling and comparing the performance with the factory data on the instructions is a reliable way to make sure the cartridge is fully refilled
Filling valve threaded cartridges
Filling valve threaded cartridges requires the following pre-prepared equipment:
- Two fittings: one, with a union nut, is connected to a household gas cylinder, and the second, threaded, is connected to a gas cartridge;
- A transparent hose with which you can trace the process of gas transfusion. Also performs the function of an adapter and connects to two fittings;
- Valves that allow you to turn on and off the gas supply from the cylinder directly at the valve;
- The filter which is built in the valve which prevents hit of garbage and clogging of a can;
- An additional valve that allows bleeding gas without removing the adapter.
A good adapter model wins compared to a cheap one due to a number of advantages:
- The valve of the adapter ensures the safety of the valve of the household cylinder, which deteriorates due to regular unscrewing and twisting and because of rust or other metal particles falling on the thread;
- Due to the valve being in the closest possible position to the can valve, during the next refueling cycle, there is practically no leakage of excess gas, pouring it onto your hands and spraying it into the environment;
- Ball valve design allows you to quickly stop the gas supply and avoid unwanted overflow and forced bleeding of excess gas;
- Thanks to the advantages described above, the fueling process is much easier, it becomes safer and more economical.
An adapter is wound onto the valve of a household large gas cylinder instead of a gearbox. Refueling is best done in a company with an assistant and outdoors, away from crowded places. Since there will be a strong smell of gas, passing people may begin to worry and cause gas service.
The process of refueling valve threaded cartridges consists of the following steps:
Step 1. First of all, the remaining condensate should be drained, the residual pressure in all the cartridges that are planned to be filled before the adapter is connected to the large cylinder to be vented. Thanks to this, the refueling process will be a little faster.
The adapter is wound onto a spray can, which is turned upside down, the cartridge heats up slightly with warm hands, which increases the volume of gas and accelerates the bleeding process. It is preferable to drain the condensate into a plastic bottle. It smells rather unpleasant and smells surrounding objects.
Step 2 The preparation of the system consists in setting the gas cylinder in a stable position with the valve pointing downward and opening it to free access. In no case should you rest the cylinder on the valve. The ideal option is to hang the balloon upside down. Next, tighten the adapter and open the valve of the large cylinder.
Step 3 The adapter is screwed tightly to the can. We open the valve on the adapter and begin to pour gas.Stopping the noise emitted by the transfusion gas means the end of the pouring.
Step 4 The next step is to vent the gas in order to cool the can. The procedure is performed by opening the bleed valve on the adapter. After a few seconds, the can will become quite cold, and the pressure in it will drop to the desired level. Close the valve. If necessary, re-fill.
Step 5 The most important step is to create a buffer pad in the spray can to prevent possible expansion and explosion. Open the bleed valve and wait for the moment when the liquid no longer pours.
Never direct a stream of gas at yourself. When shaking the can, you should definitely feel a rash. Also an effective method is weighing a filled can on a scale. After completing all the steps, it is important to check the tightness of all filled containers.
When bleeding, draining condensate and creating a buffer pad, always point the end of the hose away from you.
For safety reasons, it is not recommended to store cans in the sun, in damp and cold places. Cold cylinders after filling are covered with a layer of condensate. To prevent rusting, wipe the containers with a dry towel.
Transfusion of gas from one spray can to another
After using gas burners, cartridges with gas residues often remain. They should not be thrown away, since there is the possibility of transfusion of gas from one cylinder to another. Collet cartridges cost about half the size of threaded cartridges, have the same volume and are more common on the market.
Burners can be designed for both collet and threaded fasteners, and some models initially have adapters. Filling a threaded cylinder with a collet will save a decent amount of money, and collet cartridges are easier to find.
Sometimes the adapter is not a solution to the problem, as it weighs a lot and takes up space. In such cases, it is enough to simply transfer the gas from one cylinder to another using simple technology and using an adapter made with your own hands from a disposable syringe.
Stages of preparing a homemade adapter:
- Use a pair of pliers to pull the needle out of the plastic. After this procedure, there is a hole that needs to be slightly expanded with a small drill or a round awl, heated over a fire.
- Next, with a knife or file, cut or erase the plastic ribs on the conical part.
- The end of the product from which the needle had been previously stuck was slanted obliquely. Due to this, the valve will not block the gas supply.
- From below, we cut the product with a knife about three millimeters, thereby shortening it.
After preparing the adapter, cool the threaded cartridge and heat the collet. Thanks to this procedure, gas transfusion will be greatly facilitated. You can cool in the refrigerator or in the freezer, and heat in warm water. Never bring containers to the fire.
In the manufacture of a homemade adapter, all actions must be performed in a certain sequence. Following the steps guarantees a successful result.
Transfusion Stages:
- When the cylinders are cooled and warmed up to a sufficient level (about 10-15 minutes), we take a collet cylinder, and we put on it an adapter made of a needle.
- Then we turn the collet cartridge upside down, and we rest the product from the needle with the tip into the hole of the threaded cartridge. After this, click on the collet spray. You will hear gas overflowing.
- When the procedure is over, you can re-cool the threaded and warm the collet cylinders and re-pour the gas. Repeat until the next heating and cooling yields results.
The transfusion process takes a fairly long period of time and requires increased pressure on the collet cylinder, which may bring some discomfort. To eliminate the discomfort, you can use a towel folded several times.
Homemade adapter is installed on a hot can. Now you need to attach to it a can cooled in the freezer
If there is a financial opportunity, then you can purchase a special adapter, and not do it yourself. In such cases, the gas transfusion process will be significantly simplified.
The clip will demonstrate the procedure for filling a can with transfusion of liquefied gas from a large can:
Refueling gas tourist cans is a feasible procedure at home. For a successful gas transfusion, it is necessary to monitor the implementation of each stage and comply with safety regulations.
After several refueling, the procedure is remembered and becomes not so complicated. Remember that manufacturers do not recommend refueling and using cartridges for travel burners after they run out of gas.
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