ndpap
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Post by ndpap on Apr 28, 2014 2:38:22 GMT -8
We have the 2 original propane tanks from our 57? Camper they are in decent shape. Does anyone one if they can be adapted to be used safely with new regulators??? I hate to get rid of them
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 28, 2014 8:26:03 GMT -8
I think exchanging them is a problem unto itself. Nobody wants them. With that said, filling may also be an issue. I was told the self service exchanges will (honestly) take them.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 28, 2014 8:26:38 GMT -8
Twelve years maximum from the "date of manufacture" which is stamped on the tank. They will not (or are allowed to) install a new safety type valve into a "out of date" tank.
The one exception is.........if the tank "is so old" that it had a identification that was weld-on it can be filled forever, and no safety valve is required.
This information is per my local "large volume" Mutual Propane dealer.
Also of interest, it looks to me like the new tanks can only be filled 3/4's full when they have the new valves. They get you coming and going. LOL |
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bmxovich
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Post by bmxovich on Apr 28, 2014 11:34:33 GMT -8
I had a local welding supply house tell my they could test, and give me a certification on my old tanks. This was around 10 years ago when I had a couple vintage Airstreams. I never followed through though. Curious if that was a possibility or just bad info?
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Post by bigbill on Apr 28, 2014 12:17:27 GMT -8
Yes tanks can be recertified but new tanks are usually less money than testing and new valves plus purging.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 28, 2014 12:28:01 GMT -8
Here's another thought.
The going price in my "over priced area" for a NEW steel tank, WITH the newest safety valve, and it's already FILLED is $45 bucks!
How much do you think it would cost to pay for a hydro test, install a new safety valve, and then fill the tank? It's "gota" be close to $45 bucks per tank, maybe even more.
Buy a new tank when it goes out of date, and my propane dealer "offered" to dispose of my old tanks, when I buy new ones. Ask COSTCO if they will take your old tanks off you hands?
The problem I see, is on the high cost of aluminum tanks, and what about the cost to polish them, it's all down the drain. And I bet you would have a hard time even selling them for 30 cents a pound aluminum scrap price at the salvage yard because "they would claim" the out of date propane tanks are hazardous material.
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bmxovich
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Post by bmxovich on Apr 28, 2014 12:58:01 GMT -8
Here's another thought. The going price in my "over priced area" for a NEW steel tank, WITH the newest safety valve, and it's already FILLED is $45 bucks! How much do you think it would cost to pay for a hydro test, install a new safety valve, and then fill the tank? It's "gota" be close to $45 bucks per tank, maybe even more. Buy a new tank when it goes out of date, and my propane dealer "offered" to dispose of my old tanks, when I buy new ones. Ask COSTCO if they will take your old tanks off you hands? The problem I see, is on the high cost of aluminum tanks, and what about the cost to polish them, it's all down the drain. And I bet you would have a hard time even selling them for 30 cents a pound aluminum scrap price at the salvage yard because "they would claim" the out of date propane tanks are hazardous material. Hey I never claimed it was financially responsible to do, lol. Just curious if the info I got was true. And yes, the tanks I was looking into updating were aluminum, and one set was polished by yours truly. If I had an odd shaped tank I was in love with I'd consider it. Otherwise I agree, cheaper to buy new. |
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pirateslife
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Post by pirateslife on Apr 29, 2014 12:58:37 GMT -8
Here's another thought. The going price in my "over priced area" for a NEW steel tank, WITH the newest safety valve, and it's already FILLED is $45 bucks! How much do you think it would cost to pay for a hydro test, install a new safety valve, and then fill the tank? It's "gota" be close to $45 bucks per tank, maybe even more. Buy a new tank when it goes out of date, and my propane dealer "offered" to dispose of my old tanks, when I buy new ones. Ask COSTCO if they will take your old tanks off you hands? The problem I see, is on the high cost of aluminum tanks, and what about the cost to polish them, it's all down the drain. And I bet you would have a hard time even selling them for 30 cents a pound aluminum scrap price at the salvage yard because "they would claim" the out of date propane tanks are hazardous material. Hey I never claimed it was financially responsible to do, lol. Just curious if the info I got was true. And yes, the tanks I was looking into updating were aluminum, and one set was polished by yours truly. If I had an odd shaped tank I was in love with I'd consider it. Otherwise I agree, cheaper to buy new. It is true, some of the exchange tanks are re stamped, they prolly have their own test facility. It's actually not as expensive as you would think. When I worked at a fire dept we had our scba tanks done 2-3 times. The problem with exchange tanks is you get less volume, not because the steel tanks can't handle it, they say transportation regulations, they short you from 2-3 pounds. Tractor supply will fill them in date with the new valve. We had a couple of those replaced for around 14-17 dollars But be careful using tsc as they over filled our 30 lb tanks and they wouldn't function correctly. Had to bleed them off which took a while since you can't just crack the valve. |
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on May 17, 2014 15:48:49 GMT -8
I sanded and painted my old tanks, and took them to Maine Oxy (industrial gas place), who put new valves in and certified them for five years. IIRC, it was about $75.
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jannica
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Post by jannica on Sept 2, 2014 18:57:38 GMT -8
I sanded and painted my old tanks, and took them to Maine Oxy (industrial gas place), who put new valves in and certified them for five years. IIRC, it was about $75. So they still certified them and filled them even though they were "altered"? My rv repair guy said he thought I might have trouble getting my old tank certified and filled because I had painted it which they would consider an alteration. Anyone else run into this problem? I love my new paint job I just finished so I'm hoping to keep it!  |
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 2, 2014 19:12:51 GMT -8
Don't go to your local grocery store, drug store, Home Depot, gas station, "RV" Guy, etc. to get your propane filled. They will charge you more money, and give you all the wrong answers. Go to a full time Propane Dealer, like the local Mutual Propane in my area. They will have the best prices, have all the parts in stock, and have solid information. Don't waste your time with the middle men.
No reason why a custom painted, but still "in date" tank can not be refilled.
Just don't tell anyone if you remove all the safety tags from your pillows, you might go to jail. LOL
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Post by bigbill on Sept 3, 2014 4:50:02 GMT -8
Don't go to your local grocery store, drug store, Home Depot, gas station, "RV" Guy, etc. to get your propane filled. They will charge you more money, and give you all the wrong answers. Go to a full time Propane Dealer, like the local Mutual Propane in my area. They will have the best prices, have all the parts in stock, and have solid information. Don't waste your time with the middle men. No reason why a custom painted, but still "in date" tank can not be refilled. Just don't tell anyone if you remove all the safety tags from your pillows, you might go to jail. LOL The above is very good advice many of the hardware type refill stations for propane are not properly trained and somehow decide that certain things are the law even if they have never seen it in writing. I always go to an actual propane company for refills. They can and will tell you what is right. They also are normally less expensive for re-certification and filling. |
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jannica
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Post by jannica on Sept 3, 2014 6:47:53 GMT -8
Thanks guys! I'm sure there is a propane dealer here so I will look online and take it by there to see if I can get it certified.
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Sept 19, 2014 13:57:20 GMT -8
My local hardware store refills tanks, and as long as it's date-stamped they're fine with filling them.
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Post by bigbill on Sept 19, 2014 16:44:30 GMT -8
My local hardware store refills tanks, and as long as it's date-stamped they're fine with filling them. So does mine but they are five to seven dollars higher than my local distributor on a tank, and if there is a problem they are lost. |
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