Exchangeable bottles???

[imagine]

I have a question about tanks. There are many places that you can give them
an empty, and they will exchange it with a full one instead of filling the ones that came with the airstream. Any problems with going that route?

[Janet H]

It's really expensive in my part of the world. Those swapable tanks are about 5 times the cost of refill-it yourself propane. I haven't looked closely but the tank quality doesn't look great either. Our Argosy came with painted aluminum worthington tanks. If you need to update old valves on your tanks and they are good tanks it is probably worth the upfront cost.

[vajeep]

We looked into the Worthington tanks, they look way cool, but we opted for the exchangable tanks with a cover. We try to re-fill when possible, we like to have the choice.
PS when I do exchange I try to get the newest looking tank in the rack.
Abe

[eubank]

Wow, in our part of the the world, the only exchangable tanks are the 5-gallon variety, not the 7-gallon variety common to most RVs.

Lynn

[rluhr]

I agree with Janet. I just paid $27 to swap a pair of 20-lb Blue Rhino tanks, whereas I was able to fill my pair of 30-lb tanks for $30. You pay for convenience ... but it is undeniably convenient.

[Tom Nugler]

I didn't know I had aluminum tanks until I had to get one filled and updated at the local propane supplier. They said I would have to pay a little extra for a new OPD to fit the AL tank. When I found out how much new 20# AL tank cost I was very pleased to shell out a few extra bucks. If the tanks are good keep 'em. Mine cleaned up nicely and with a quick spray of clearcoat have looked good for longer than I hoped for.

[imagine]

I just purchased a new 16 ccd with the cool alum covers for the tank. My question is it comes with 20gal tanks, can you exchange larger tanks and still use the original
tank cover that comes with the unit? Are they much taller and what would be the
next step up that would work with the factory original cover... thanks.. mike

[thenewkid64]

Unfortunately we learned this this weekend on the Vintage Thunder project We had a CCD cover to put on the propane bottles, but we have 30 pounders on it for now..........

The 30 LB bottles are too tall. There is not a in between size.....

Anyone need a CCD bottle cover, never installed??

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by imagine

I have a question about tanks. There are many places that you can give them
an empty, and they will exchange it with a full one instead of filling the ones that came with the airstream. Any problems with going that route?

I would rather use the same tank, but to do so, I have to drive about 30 miles or more, round trip, through the city. This can be an hour and a half or better, so I just bite the bullet and get the refillable tanks from WallyWorld. They are right out front of my neighborhood, and each one costs $14.95, versus $9.00 to get a tank filled.

[Hippo]

I kept my orginal tanks and installed new OPD valves in them. I had the tanks recertified by a propane dealer. You can search the threads from last summer on propane tanks there is a lot of info.
Chuck
WBCCI#7854

[Mike76251]

Maybe it is because of a history or something but my local propane suppliers don't care if the tanks are OPD or not.

[Tom Nugler]

Mike, What size are the tanks? When I had my first 20# tank fitted with the OPD, a year or so after they were required, I remember asking the guy if even the heavy duty RV tanks needed the new valves. While I may be having another lapse of memory, (or is that judgement), I believe the answer was that any tank 20# or less needed an OPD.
The local supplier handles all sizes and I have been there while the caterers come in with the giant 50#'s and I don't think they have the new valves?
Tom.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

Unfortunately we learned this this weekend on the Vintage Thunder project We had a CCD cover to put on the propane bottles, but we have 30 pounders on it for now..........

The 30 LB bottles are too tall. There is not a in between size.....

Anyone need a CCD bottle cover, never installed??

How much too tall are the bottles? On my CCD cover the top plate is down about 3 inches from the top of the cover. Could you cut two circular holes in the top for the valves to stick through and maybe get Madonna's metal bra to cover the holes?

[thenewkid64]

The over all cover is the same height as the 30 LB bottles. We would have to cut rather large holes to allow the entire top collar of the bottles to fit thru.

[roadeo]

Originally Posted by Hippo

I kept my orginal tanks and installed new OPD valves in them. I had the tanks recertified by a propane dealer. You can search the threads from last summer on propane tanks there is a lot of info.
Chuck
WBCCI#7854

A little more help or even a link to those threads would sure be appreciated Hippo.

There is so much LP tank misinformation and confusion out here.
According to one girl I talked with at Blue Rhino customer service it is amazing how many numbskulls have exchanged their valuable Aluminum tanks for the Steel versions in the retail racks. Probably oblivious to what they just tossed away.

Another interesting item is that at Wal Mart and most Lowes and Home Depots you do not need to pay extra if you exchange an old type valved bottle or an old out of date (even junk) bottle for a current refill. But if you do it at your small convienence store or gas station Blue Rhino rack, there is a sizeable conversion charge. But by all means remember that if you have an Aluminum bottle it is probably most wise just having that bottle upgraded at a local LP specialist shop.(That means new valve and possibly a new inspection certification where they scope the inside of the tank and stamp it with updated expire dates). Look in the yellow pages under Propane and call a few to get a feel for their attitude and expertise if possible in your area.

Another (very stupid) thought is to buy a new empty steel bottle with the new valve and switch/install the valve onto your existing Aluminum tank. This way you get around the inspection fee (until your next fill up anyway) if you so risk and choose. You can then still take the steel bottle to Lowes exchange it and end up with a spare tank of gas for an extra 14.95. Let me caution you that this is a very dangerous alternative. First the dip tube (float) length inside the tanks needs to be the correct length for each bottle size or the tank can easily be overfilled. Thus cancelling all the protections that necessitated the OPD valve in the first place. A 20# valve assembly will fit into a 30# tank but it will alter the calibration of filling. i.e. it AINT worth it. Just take your tanks into a reputable Propane dealer (NOT a U Haul or Lowes etc) and do it right. Re-inspection is usually only about 17.00 and the Valve is about 15.00.

Also keep in mind when comparing prices that the Blue Rhino and similar exchange companies bottles which are 20 pound, (aka 5 gallon),
are "filled" with only 17 pounds of propane(4.25 gal). That's 15% less than capacity. If, instead, you go get it refilled for approx. 10.50 I supposed you get most of that capacity filled. Quite a difference in real cost. You do the math.

roadeo

[Pick]

Prices are running about the same for refills versus exchange here in N. Central Florida. Propane refills are $15-18, and exchanges are $15.99 at a local convenience store, for 20 pounders. Seems like the propane companies are higher than the hardware store.