Dutch_12078

Then it's clear that those standards work. Do the codes also require the flood control measures that Babcock Ranch implemented?

When my wife and I had our annual physical a few weeks ago, our doctor highly recommended we get the fifth COVID-19 shots as well as the senior flu shots given our advanced ages and my wife's COPD. She knows my wife can only have shots in one arm anyway, but she recommended I get both shots in the same arm as well if we got them at the same time so only one arm would be sore. We did that, and other than some mild injection site soreness for a day or so, we had no other side effects.

I recall seeing the signs for Babcock Ranch and the 100% solar feature when we were in the area a few years ago, but I didn't realize how much storm resilience was also built into the housing. In other articles, it was mentioned that even the roads and curbing are designed to carry off storm water without flooding or damage. Very impressive!

Toyota as a corporation, is a long way from "circling the drain". Even if the automotive segment declined significantly, which is unlikely, they have many other areas to keep paying the bills. Between housing, boats, robots, forklifts, sewing machines, and several other non-automotive products, they'll likely be around for a very long time.

I'm glad to see that's how they were doing it. I'm well aware of how the Fixed Liquid Level Gauge works, Bob, having used it many times when filling both DOT cylinders and ASME tanks. I mentioned it to the attendant at Tractor Supply, but he said he was filling my 30 lb cylinder the way he was trained. I don't know who did their training, but clearly something was skipped. It's not a store I'm likely to use for refills very often, but it'll be interesting to see if anything has changed the next time I stay at the state park in the area. It's good to see they have the larger sizes available for exchange. I wish more refillers would do that.

The Tractor Supply I used here in upstate NY a few days ago also set the cylinder on the scale, but then he just filled it until the OPD kicked off. The scale wasn't even set for the proper weight.

That "vent" is the "Fixed Liquid Level Gauge" that's used the same way as the equivalent valve on the permanent ASME tanks.

Do they just pump until the OPD kicks out to know when the cylinder is full?

Thanks for the head up, Dan! Apparently the PHMSA is way behind in updating their literature that still states the 10 year rule.

DOT has no authority over the permanently installed propane tanks in our motorhomes. Those tanks are controlled by the standards set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Only the portable cylinders typically used in towable RV's come under the DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

The 12 year rule was changed to 10 years a few years ago: "Propane cylinders must be requalified or replaced every 5 or 10 years depending on the cylinder type, condition, and previous requalification method. (Ref. 49 CFR § 180.205(d) and 180.209(e).)" https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/propane_en_v3.pdf

The LP distributor I use for recerts in upstate NY charges $15 for a 5 year visual recert, and $35 for a 10 year pressure test recert.

That was reduced to 10 years a few years back...

The OPD limits the fill to 80% of the water capacity. A typical 20 lb "BBQ" cylinder holds about 5.7 gallons of water (47.6 lbs). 80% of that is about 4.5 gallons or about 20 lbs of propane...

On further thought, it occurs to me you're asking the wrong question. The RVIA has adopted NFPA 1192 as its standard, so the question should be which states have also adopted 1192 as their standard. Here's a link to a good start for your research: https://www.google.com/search?q=which+states+have+adopted+nfpa+1192

None that I'm aware of, and I have no idea why they would feel the need to do so unless they could use it as a revenue source. I'll bet the state seals issued by NE and WA aren't free.

Kirk, maybe this article will answer your question at least in part: RV Industry Association State Team Lays Out Policy Priorities For 2022 https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/rv-industry-association-state-team-lays-out-policy-priorities-2022

The most accurate fill is done using the Fixed Liquid Level Gauge, but not all states require it. When the FLLG is correctly used, you know that tank or cylinder is properly filled to the 80% of capacity level with no dependence on scale accuracy. I don't recall using any LP filling station that had a certified scale.

For those not familiar with the area, Red Oaks is about 5.5 air miles from the SKP Sumter Oaks park.

Yes, that first quote is just plain wrong. The 80% is based on the water capacity of the tank or cylinder.

Propane cylinders CAN be filled to their rated capacity that's 80% of the water capacity. The point though, is that Blue Rhino and other exchange companies are only filling 20 lb (4.86 gallon) capacity cylinders to 15 lbs (3.65 gallons). Blue Rhino does make that clear on their labels now, but as I recall it took a lawsuit to force that. The most accurate way to fill an LP tank or cylinder is using the Fixed Liquid Level Gauge, commonly called the "vent" or "spitter valve". The FLLG gives a positive indication that the liquid level has reached the 80% level. The OPD, the Overfill Prevention Device, will also shut off the fill flow at 80%, but should only be considered as a backup to the FLLG or filling by weight.

Thanks, I understand there's a number of power outages in Sumter County according to a friend in The Villages, so that may be affecting the Sumter Oaks folks.

That's good news for The Resort, but unfortunate for the others. Thanks for the update!

Thanks! That's good news! I knew the area was out of the direct path, but I wasn't sure how much wind and rain they would get. Our travel schedule for this winter didn't allow for a stop there, but we've always enjoyed the area when we do get to spend some time there.

Has anyone heard anything from folks at Sumter Oaks about the park status after Ian passed by?