I agree that the a 3 gallon propane tank lasts a surprisingly long time.
But without a level indicator it sometimes runs out at the worst possible
time.  And mine has trouble filling so, I perfer to wait til it is
completely out before trying.  [Those propane monkeys always tell me there
is something wrong, until they finally figure it out.  And half the time
they won't let me show them how to do it.]

So what is the best way to tie in an adapter for a portable container.  I
assume in the line that runs through the cabinet and some sort of T fitting.

>From: Tom Buese <bueses@EARTHLINK.NET>
>Reply-To: Tom Buese <bueses@EARTHLINK.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Propane tank fill valve anatomy
>Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 20:37:50 -0700
>
>.................
>The experience that made me really want to have the ability to hook up a
> >disposable bottle temporarily to my Westy tank was last Easter weekend.
>I
> >was camping on the shore of SC and ran out of propane.  There was no
>place
> >that could fill a Westy's tank on Easter Weekend for 100 miles or so.  I
> >was not camping where there were hookups, and not driving around enough
>to
> >keep my aux batt charged and run the fridge off that.  So no fridge and
>no
> >stove to cook.  Frustrating.  That had happened on an earlier trip
> >too.  Not quite as frustrating, but still ran out one evening, and
>watched
> >the fridge warm up all night.  The next day I found a place to fill the
> >tank, but it was out of my way, and took some digging to find, and blah,
> >blah, blah, I would have rather been cruising the backroads of WV in my
>VW
> >with no cares.  I would just carry a partially filled disposable tank,
> >having carefully refilled it at home from a big tank, and have it as
> >reserve capacity to tide me over in emergencies.
>.................
>
>I might have missed this part of the discussion, but I go months w/o using
>much propane.  How long are you using the fuel before you run out on a
>trip? Before my recent DV trip, I pulled into my propane place & it only
>took 1.3 gallons after a week at Burning Man, & 3 weekend camping trips
>after that, w/ one trip including running my 3000 btu catalytic heater for
>part of a day. Now I will admit I don't use the propane for my fridge, but
>do use it for cooking & heat.
>
>Pax,
>
>Tom