There is no need to purge the tank, no idea where this notion comes from.  In the process of filling the tank the bleeder valve must be open, when propane comes out of the bleeder valve you shut the bleeder and stop filling.  The fact that propane is coming out of the bleeder means there is no more air in the tank, very simple concept. 

 
> On Jun 12, 2016, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> 
> I installed a new gowesty propane tank on our vanagon.
> 
> I'm having trouble finding someone local to "purge" the tank before filling.
> 
> One idea I had was to have the local filler put in a half gallon, and then
> vent gas out of the bleeder valve for 20 seconds or so, and then fill the
> rest of the way.
> 
> I imagine this would exhaust the vast majority of the air in the cylinder,
> since the propane will be evaporating and trying to displace as much
> existing gas as possible.

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale <http://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm>)
Frank Condelli & Associates <http://www.frankcondelli.com/> - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
BusFusion <http://www.busfusion.com/> a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 02 ~ 05, 2016