Hippy, propane is a liquid inside the tank. Doesn't matter if it's 1lb or 1000lbs, it's always a liquid. The pressure inside the tank, while it is full of liquid, is always the same in every tank as long as they are the same temperature. In the 50 or so degrees in my garage, the vapor pressure in the propane is 78 PSI. Doesn't matter if the tank is 1lb or 1000lbs, if it's 50 degrees, it's 78 PSI. Look up "propane vapor pressure" in google. If anything, I would guess it's getting LESS pressure with the adapter hose, because everything I hook up to it seems to have a slightly decreased output. That makes complete sense, because with any compressed gasses longer hose = less pressure. As for refilling the tanks, that's probably what I will be doing if I don't get the adapter to work. It is most definately safe and not illegal. If it was as dangerous as you make it sound credible companies like Mr. Heater would NOT be selling them to the general public. Of course coleman tries to trick you into thinking they are illegal to refill - they want you to throw it away and buy another! If you refill the tank before it is completely empty the pressure never changes, thus, there are no metal fatigue issues. Sure, they'll wear out eventually, but they will easily last 10 or more fills. Under no circumstances will I continue to pay $2.50 for a QUART of propane.

Well, despite the fact that gas lines have been run down our road, we are on a flag lot (3 houses down a common drive) and my understanding is that they have no intentions of running it down to us anytime soon ....actually last I heard was something like 7 years. A drawback to country-ish living. Anyhow, my husband bought 2 purple (?night owl or something like that) climbing roses to go over the tank. We bought a sweet autumn clematis to cover the ground in front of and around the side of the tank. I was thinking of growing a clematis with the rose but pruning sounds like a nightmare if they didn't share the exact same needs and to be honest I have no idea how to take care of these roses we just bought. I do think in 3 years we will have the prettiest propane tank in town!! I actually have no idea if I'm allowed to plant on it...I'll make sure to keep the valves and pipes free of plant. I'm sure they'll let me know if I can't. Thanks for the advice! Lyn

Maybe your not getting alot of responses because most are thinking why didn't I think of that?! As long as we are brain storming along the lines of big heating breakthroughs, please let me share a few ideas to possibly improve your plan. As long as you are picken through the junkyard, look for some 12v powered radiator fans that you can install in a apple bushel with the radiator heating core and along with a hookup to the battery on your tractor (at night) you will have a fan convector. But don't forget to cut a hole out on the bottom of the straw bushel to get airflow when you duct tape the fan and coil inside and onto the straw bushel basket. I agree, why buy a 80-98% efficient boiler when a 60% efficient water heater will do the job. But better yet, while at the junkyard, salvage as much brake lines as you can, tie them together and wrap around your still and recover as much heat as possible while making moonshine. Boiler accessories can cost so much so why buy what you can make at home? As long as you are not using the bathtub, why not take it out of the trailer, put it up on the hill, jerryrig a pipe from the drain down to the water heater and connect. With some rainwater collection you now have a open system expansion tank and auto feeder for your boiler system. The plus side of the outdoor expansion tank is it can also serve as a water trough for all your goats and other livestock which will also help keep the field grass trimmed around the grave of Grandpa and the last 12 hounds buried nearby. Round up enough 1" radiator hose and clamps and you have a system!

Consider building a much smaller deck that leads to a patio. Is that a water faucet beneath the three window grouping? If so, it could be altered be usable elsewhere. What is between the garage and house -- is that outdoor niche empty of anything that would prohibit you putting something there? Where do the septic line(s) and gas line(s) and any electrical connections exit/enter? If that recess/niche house and garage is clear, you could utilize it for reaching steps that access a back yard patio and garden. Know where your utility pipes and wires ingress/egress your home are located and you can create a sizeable backyard patio and garden without disturbing them -- leave a line of grass atop them with only a paver or two with grass between to go from one side to the other.. Begin by adding an 8' deep deck from the left of the back door to the right corner of the house and four feet beyond the corner. Then add a four feet wide deck/walkway alongside the right side of the house (within the niche on the left side of the niche) all the way to the back of the niche -- all the way back to the section of the house that connects with the garage. Beside that 4' side deck/walkway wrapped around the back right corner of the house you can create a landing in the corner between the garage and the part of the house that connects the house to the garage. From that landing, you can create steps that walk down and away from the house to access your back yard patio. Size your landing so that your last step ends with its front riser even with the outer edge of your 8' deck.