40# Alu. tanks

[faceter548]

Any one know where I can get my 1978 LY 40# Alu. tanks certified ,valve replaced and filled in the Detroit or Flint area?

Thanks

Jim

[Minno]

Check the yellow pages under Propane Suppliers or Propane Equipment. That's how I found a place to re-certify tanks here.

Chris

[faceter548]

I've been doing that ,my fingers are getting tired from all the walkin.

So far its a bust

They don't have the valve or they don't do that ,or my favorite

"I don,t know what your talking about, I didn't know they made Alu. tanks"

not sure I'de want that last one to fill it anyway.

Jim

[Dakota's Dad]

"Airgas" does them here. I think they are a national chain..

[eubank]

Hummm. The only "special" thing about aluminum cylinders is the size of the OPD valve.

Maybe the best solution would be to order the OPD valves yourself and have somebody else install them. (They're not that difficult to install, but you do need some means to hold the cylinder while you're doing it.)

Certification shouldn't be a problem; there's nothing special about aluminium cylinders that would make this any more difficult for the average propane dealer.


Lynn

[Sixty3TW4US]

Try a google search in your area

[redstart]

if they are horizontal (i.e. they operate lying down) tanks manufactured before October 1998, they don't need OPD valves (in fact, OPD valves won't work on them) but you still need to get them re-certified. If the valves are in good shape that should be fine.

The US has an exemption for OPD valves on *horizontal* tanks manufactured before this date. You need to find a propane dealer who knows about this. Good luck!!

[faceter548]

Thanks all !!!

I think I'll take Lynn,s approach and buy the valves myself and see if someone will install them.

thanks again

Jim

[flashbackk]

I went to Amerigas on Dort in Flint.
They put new valves in my old tanks and filled them for about 50 bucks each. I have 30 pounders but they had to put 40 lb valves in them.



AmeriGas
5420: Burton, MI
G4283 S Dort Highway
Burton, MI 48529-1828
Call us today: 866-767-1100

[eubank]

You know, the OPD valves are there to prevent overfilling, but the reality is that the codes that most states adopt from don't even permit fillers to rely on the OPD for filling purposes. In effect, while placing too small of an OPD onto the aluminum cylinder would prevent one from filling it to the extent that it might otherwise be filled, it should not prevent safe filling.

Oh, so why have OPDs at all? The reason is that many non-licensed folks attempt to fill their own cylinders. In pre-OPD days, they'd fill cylinders to the brim, thinking they'd get more use of them. Good idea, but it also resulted in a good number of tragic accidents. The OPDs are designed to prevent just this kind of accident.

But above I wrote "should not" and "don't even permit" in regard to licensed fillers. The problem is that many licensed fillers ignore state regulations and rely on the OPD valves nonetheless. In other words, there's a discrepancy between the way it's supposed to be and the way it is.

The best bet, then, is to locate the proper OPDs for your particular cylinders.


Lynn

[faceter548]

Thanks Flashbackk
I'll call them.
Jim

[flantiquer]

I just had 2 done this week. They were done at a small engine (lawn mower) shop that also pumped propane. Total cost with refills was 164.00.

[eubank]

Yikes! That was expensive, flantiquer!

If you're planning to be in this district, let me know (well in advance so that they can order the valves, as needed). The propane dealer that we purchase propane from will change out the valves for the cost of the valve itself -- as long as I also fill the cylinders at their facility. I figure about 30 bucks apiece to fill the cylinders and 20 or 30 apiece for the valves. That should wind up no more than around 120 bucks.


Lynn

[Mexray]

Check out the valves, etc., here - to give you an idea of pricing...or you can order direct - they are good people to deal with....

LP Gas -repair and related parts : ODMRV , Out-of-Doors Mart

[3 Dog Nite]

We had 2 30# Worthington tanks to change. Took them to Blossman gas here in Cleveland,TN. They cover multiple states so check your phone book. Changing valves, recertification, and filling both came to around $78.

Ricky

[faceter548]

Sorry for the delay in the response I've been working on the AS and haven't had my notebook on for a while.

Thanks eubank I don't think I'll be in your neck of the woods anytime soon but I sure would like to be.

mexray thanks for the link.

3 dog nite I checked and they don't serve Michigan (oh well)

thanks

Jim

[scottgaga]

I'm sure I'm missing some hardware to hold my tanks in place.I have the t-bar that holds the two tanks together and the big wing type nut and the rod in the middle.What am I missing?