In a message dated 03/11/2007 10:09:37 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

I was  speaking more of larger, 5 pounds and up, propane cylinders. I too
carry the  smaller cylinders to run my coleman stove.  As to this filling
apparatus  for the 1 pound bottles, I saw one up on eBay for around $15. Not sure if
this  is a good price or not. The one interesting thing it said, is it could
also be  used in reverse to fill an empty larger tank. See
http://cgi.ebay.com/Propane-Refill-Adapter-Disposable-Bottle-Mac
Coupler_W0QQitemZ260174869061QQihZ016QQcategoryZ2020QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem.

If  this actually worked, seems like it would eliminate the need for the
extend a  stay all together. Have you tried using the device in this  way?

Yes, the adapter can be  used to move propane in either direction.  The
problem is that the tank  with the propane has to be colder than the empty tank for
this to work  well.  The extend-a-stay is not only for adding extra propane
tanks.  It allow one to use the same hose connection to  connect devices in
remote locations such as a Coleman stove on a picnic  table.  The reason I got
this set up originally was when we did our first  trip to Mexico a couple years
back we were advised that the small one lb  tanks were unavailable down
there.  So, since we did not want to spend  the entire time cooking IN the Westy we
decided to install a second tank under  the slider and use a 12' hose to
connect to the Coleman.  Then  when I installed my Propex heater I connected it to
my second tank which then  needed to be fitted with a regulator, so then to
use my hose to go to my stove I  installed the Extend-A-Stay.  The filler
device for the one  pounders I had from before as I found it quite useful to fill
the  small tanks rather than always pitching them out and buying new  ones .
When I refurbish Westy propane tanks, I recuperate all or  most all the propane
left in the tank by the owner into all the one pound  tanks I keep lying
around for that purpose.

    Now, more on my investigations on that Marshal  Brass Extend-A-Stay.
There seems to be a few variations.  The one my  customer brought here yesterday
to have installed on his Eurovan Westy was  similar to mine but not exactly
the same.  It had four connection ports,  one port with auto valve connection
for high pressure appliance hose  connection which can be used to connect to
another tank or appliance, one  port to connect to the tank service valve, one
port to go to the  existing service such as the regulator and one port for hose
or copper tube  connection for going to a tank or an appliance with no auto
valve.  The  Extend-A-Stay I have on my van does not have the port for hose or
copper tube  connection for going to a tank or an appliance with no auto valve.
 The  benefits of having the four port model is that there are three that are
 threaded therefore you can swap the ends around and set it up for your
particular needs. The port with the auto valve for hose  connection to tank or
appliance is the only one not threaded into the body.  The end that goes to the
regulator can be removed and a short straight  nipple can be used to connect
the regulator thus saving valuable space so that  reconfiguration of the Westys
copper service lines need not be as drastic as I  mentioned yesterday and
Denis pointed out.  I can also do this with mine,  however only in a 180 degree
plane.   I have also seen ones that the  ports are not threaded so the ends are
not re-moveable, that was what I was  questioning yesterday.  So be careful
when you buy one, make sure you get  the kind that has the re-moveable threaded
ends.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
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