Hi volks,

A friend sent me a brass fitting that is double ended.  One end screws into
a 10 gallon propane tank.  The other end accepts Coleman 1 pound cylinders,
the type you see thrown away at campsites.  I have collected a bunch of
these over the years and refill them now and then.  I have not bought a new
one since.

I screw the fitting into the ten gallon tank.  Then screw on the Coleman
cylinder (or Ace hardware cylinder, whatever).  They end up 90 degrees to
each other.  I tip the 10 pound tank on its side with the one pound cylinder
hanging down.  I open the valve on the 10 pound tank and then use hemostats
and pull up on the pressure relief valve on the one pound cylinder (looks
like a bicycle valve stem).  (Hemostats, probably spelled wrong, are thin,
long nosed plyer type thingies use for surgery).  You can also tip the valve
stem to the side to release air and gas with a thin screwdriver.  I vent air
and gas until I get a solid stream of liquid.  The one pound cylinder is
then full.  I shut off the valve on the ten pound tank and then unscrew the
one pound cylinder and do another one.

Don't let the liquid spray on your fingers.  It is so cold it will "burn
you".  It is best to let them sit around out side for a while to vent off if
over charged.  Then I just toss them into my vanagon (Vanagon content),
under the back seat, until I need them for my portable barbie or catalytic
heater.  I have also been refilling tanks for my traveling friends Eddie and
Stefan.  Probably costs 20 cents per refill.

The little brass fitting I have has stamped in it's side: "K.M. Prod. Kaska,
MI. Pat. 4807848".

Where my friend bought it; I have no idea.

It always bothered me to throw away a perfectly good cylinder just because
it was empty.  I'm sure Coleman would much rather you throw them away and
buy another one.

My two cents worth.

Ron
"George and Al make me wanna Ralph!"