Member - Pesty (SA) replied:

Yep easy, make up a free flowing hose that fits both ends, fit and tighten hose firmly to both bottles, tip 9kg upside down, turn on valve, turn on valve on smaller bottle, undo bleeder screw with a spanner or screwdriver, when full liquid gas will come out of bleeder, turn off bleeder with spanner or screwdriver, dont burn yourself on freezing gas, turn off 9kg bottle, and turn off smaller bottle, turn back up normal way and undo hose to release gas in hose, again be careful not to burn yourself, check valves and bleeder again after a couple of minutes in case they have tightened against frozen gas.
DO OUTSIDE IN WELL VENTED AREA AWAY FROM ANYTHING ELEC AND OR FLAME, INCLUDING PILOT LIGHTS ON CARAVANS ETC.
SOME KIND OF BREEZE BLOWING IS BEST.

Did it for years from 45 kg bottles, but hardly use any gas now, elec light and petrol stove, have one gas bottle for coleman tent heater, but dont use it that much.

Cheers Pesty

res.q.guy replied:

Hi Nige
I fill all my 9kg, 4kg and smaller bottles from a 45kg bottle.
I just use an lpg hose with the adaptors to suit.
The bottle you are filling from will have to be turned upside down.
Do it in an open area, with no ignition sources such as hot water pilot lights etc.
Not sure about the legalities of it though !!!!!!!
Regards
Neil

HGMonaro replied:

thanks!

japmel replied:

It is illeagle to decant LPG from one Bottle to another unless you have a ticket to do so, obviously if you don't know what you are doing it can be very dangerous. There are numerous things that can go wrong, Over filling the Bottle is just one thing that people may not be aware of, An LPG Bottle should only be filled to 80%.

There's a lot more that I could go on about but it's easier for me to just say don't do it.

Regards
japmel

Hairy replied:

Gday,
Like Leroy I couldn't count how many bottles I've filled tested and re stamped
(old man owned a camping shop) and I personally never had a licence. I'm not sure but I wouldn't be surprised if the filling licence actually goes with the business not the person doing the filling,
More to do with the proper storage and public liability of having a bloody huge cylinder. Rather than speculate why not try and contact whoever governs this in your state . You might find it takes bugger all to be able to do it LEGALLY.
Also you wont have to put with criticism from the morality police who obviously have nothing better to do than throw insults.
(One moral thing my Gran taught me was if you cant say something nice[or constructive] dont say anything at all [keep your mouth shut].
Ill find out what the NT rules and regs are and post them.

Pestys filling method sounds spot on to me but why not ask the bloke filling your bottle at the servo next time to run you through it.

Cheers
Hairy

Mr Fawlty replied:

I'm not going to concern myself with the moral or legal issues but what does concern me is that it is damned hard to find a place that will fill gas bottles for you, everywhere wants to exchange your 9Kg for an 8.5 kg... let alone trying to get a small propane torch bottle filled... Get yourself a proper hose, you can buy the fittings at a few places or screwcut them yourself. The larger one is 1/2" BSP LH and the smaller one is 1/4" BSP LH and Companion use 3/8" BSP LH (you always wanted to know that didn't you?)....Maybe I can make my fortune making "Illegal Gas Decanting Kits"
"If you can't do the job yourself it's not worth doing" he says preparing to duck the incomming bombardment from the Thought Police....

luch replied:

Nige,
I have a Ticket to Decant Gas Bottles Yes it is VERY ILLEGAL and can be dangerous.

Bleeding Screws can freeze open and can eaisly break !
Static Elcectricity can result in big trouble !
Serious burns LPG boils at - 42 deg c
You need to know how to empty the gas to Atmosphere if you break the bleeder

Run you hand down the side of both Gas bottles to equilise static electricity.

If you break the bleeding screw or a valve freeze open you need to take the bottle to an open area and hose it down with WATER untill the bottle is empty.

REMEMBER: LPG IS HEAVIER THAN AIR SO IN CAN TRAVEL ALONG THE GROUND AND CAN BE IGNITED BY A SOURCE SUCH AS PILOT LIGHT ELECTRICAL SOURCE ECT.

My opinion is that you dont do it unless you are shown by a Compitent person who holds a ticket, it can be extreemly dangerous not only for your self but anyone near by

brett replied:

Has the 16 year old at the local servo done any training or holds a "ticket" in gas decanting? I'm not sure but at a guess I'd say no. I'll back my common sense over the kid at the servo any day. Sure it can be dangerous but so is filling up your car with petrol. Does every person with a driving license have any professional training in decanting flamable liquids?