Why are so few service stations filling LPG cylinders now?

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Cruciblewrecker

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#293116 29-Dec-2021 20:47

Why are so few service stations filling LPG cylinders now and offering Swap a Bottle instead?

Asking because there used to be several service stations on Auckland's North Shore filling LPG cylinders and as far as I know only the Constellation Drive Caltex refills cylinders now.

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shrub

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#2840155 29-Dec-2021 20:53

Compliance costs and upkeep of the bulk storage containers is the main reason. It far easier to have a company fill test and deliver full bottles.

davidcole

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#2840170 29-Dec-2021 21:31

Can you find a boc gas outlet near you? They still fill.

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bazzer

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#2840174 29-Dec-2021 21:56

Cruciblewrecker: Why are so few service stations filling LPG cylinders now and offering Swap a Bottle instead?

Asking because there used to be several service stations on Auckland's North Shore filling LPG cylinders and as far as I know only the Constellation Drive Caltex refills cylinders now.

Haven't filled for a while but Caltex Browns Bay used to too. The website suggests they still do (but Constellation isn't listed there so might not be accurate).

richms

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#2840231 29-Dec-2021 22:44

Cruciblewrecker: Why are so few service stations filling LPG cylinders now and offering Swap a Bottle instead?

Asking because there used to be several service stations on Auckland's North Shore filling LPG cylinders and as far as I know only the Constellation Drive Caltex refills cylinders now.

Because they have a staff member taking a long time doing them at any time of the day or night, who is then off the counter where they are making money. They have to be qualified so paid more, they have to deal with declining peoples fills for out of date or rusty crap cylinders and deal with the angry people who are probably poor planners and need it for a BBQ that night and now have no gas so take it out on the staff.

Swaps become like any other product and if they decline someone for a piece of crap tank (never happened to me despite some really bad ones) they can still buy a full one and be away with their BBQ or have their death-machine heater running that night to keep the house warm and full of toxic air.

Richard rich.ms

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#2840237 29-Dec-2021 23:01

Because NZ has finally caught up with Europe etc?

shk292

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#2840290 30-Dec-2021 09:00

Swaps are all great until you have a non-standard size cylinder from your boat etc.

If you’re willing to drive north, Caltex Orewa does refills, as does Caltex Dairy Flat and there is also an independent filler on David Sidwell Place in Whangaparaoa

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Linux

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#2840293 30-Dec-2021 09:05

I use to fill these gas bottles early 90s and the number of people that came in with expired / rusty ones right before a BBQ was amazing

Handsomedan

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#2840314 30-Dec-2021 09:29

Linux:

I use to fill these gas bottles early 90s and the number of people that came in with expired / rusty ones right before a BBQ was amazing

I've been that guy.

You don't know you need gas until it's empty on startup. Need a decent gas gauge on the tanks. And you never know how much rust is too much rust.

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Linux

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#2840393 30-Dec-2021 10:58

I remember EW pressed on the side of the gas bottle was Empty Weight and then you would sit the gas bottle on the scales until it reached a max weight EW +9kg was common (I could be wrong was a few years ago)

Goosey

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#2840436 30-Dec-2021 12:58

Linux: I remember EW pressed on the side of the gas bottle was Empty Weight and then you would sit the gas bottle on the scales until it reached a max weight EW +9kg was common (I could be wrong was a few years ago)

Correct, EW = Empty Weight, WC = water capacity and TW = Tare Weight.

If you weight the bottle, minus off the EW and you get the 'weight' of whats in the bottle.....

richms

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#2840482 30-Dec-2021 15:03

Handsomedan:

I've been that guy.

You don't know you need gas until it's empty on startup. Need a decent gas gauge on the tanks. And you never know how much rust is too much rust.

You cant have a gauge as the pressure is constant till it is empty. Thats why the LPG regulator for an oxy/LPG torch set only has one gauge, whereas other regulators have 2 of them.

The only thing that changes the pressure in the tank is its temperature, and that is why they stop working properly if you have a high butane mix in it and its winter and cold.

Richard rich.ms

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panther2

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#2840487 30-Dec-2021 15:31

Local caltex still does it for 9kg 24$ vs swappa at 39 from mobil