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Nuvite-F · 11-19-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel1

I have a set of metal stamps. I made a wrench to fit the valves. I installed my new OPD valve & stamped a new date on the tanks. No fuss , no muss.

What did you stamp for your DOT license number? (The V-number on the sticker above.)
.

heslinhotel · 02-24-2012, 10:04 AM

After reading this thread I looke at my tanks, last inspection 1999

. Decided to get them inspected here in NC. What an ordeal. Called my propane supplier for my home (The one who fills my out of date tanks) and was told they don't do it. Asked who did and they said they did not know

. Asked who inspects their tanks, they said they did it themselves!

Called another dealer they said $85 per tank IF I became a customer of theirs. I declined. Called 3 more local company's all said they did not do it nor did they know who did.

Called local RV dealer they reffered me to the above propane companies!

Called the NC Agency in charge of propane, went all the way to dept head. He did not know he said. When I started to rant on him a bit (it is a election year) he said he might have a link to a list of inspectors. Finally got link that listed entire state. List showed all the local propane co's that had said they did not do it

Finally found a propane dealer 20mi away to do it. Final cost $10

for both tanks. I was so happy I had him fill both tanks.

What a ordeal.

Dan and Liz · 02-24-2012, 05:21 PM

Two used 40# AL tanks purged and shipped from Canada. Amerigas in Fort Collins certified ($5 each), installed new valves, and filled. No problems.

**eubank** · 02-24-2012, 05:35 PM

Regulation involving certification (and other matters, including filling, the OPD requirement, licensing, and so forth) is a state matter, not a federal one. I would recommend that you check with your state for its regulations; if there is no state regulation (some states don't regulate), then check with the state association of propane suppliers to see if they have industry standards.

Lynn

perryg114 · 02-24-2012, 05:58 PM

I think it should be allowed to fill non-OPD bottles if you are a certified LP supplier with the proper knowledge and equipment to not overfill these older bottles. However, logic rarely prevails when it comes to regulations. I could buy new steel bottles for what it would cost to have my aluminum bottles recertified and the new ones won't have the fill gage which I really like. The OPD valves will replace my higher quality obsolete valves.

Perry

Lumatic · 02-24-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

Regulation involving certification (and other matters, including filling, the OPD requirement, licensing, and so forth) is a state matter,

Lynn

I just changed the valves from old to new. Traveling throughout the west I never had anyone ask me about certification and never had a problem getting them filled. I suspect if I did the next guy down the road would fill them.

**eubank** · 02-24-2012, 06:32 PM

Depends on where you get it filled. Here in NM, a filler can lose a license if caught filling, for example, a cylinder without the OPD valve. For the stray customer who comes in with such a cylinder, it's not worth the risk. In general, it's just somebody wanting an older barbeque bottle filled, and we just send them to a place where they can do an exchange instead. It'll cost customers a bunch more, but it's a one-time shot, and they walk away with a certified cylinder with OPD.

When OPDs first became mandatory, it was more of a problem than now.

Lynn

DreamStreamr · 02-24-2012, 10:44 PM

We had a problem only once with our 30# aluminum tanks -- in Flying J near Tampa FL. Guy looked at our tanks, saw the restamped date like Diesel1 says he does and the guy balked -- the date stamp didn't meet the criteria on the Flying J training document. The guy was correct, our tanks were not properly inspected, as it turned out.

We're in Phoenix area, have a top-notch gas service company. They custom fab hoses (these are SO much better than the factory ones on my 2005 Airstream) any length you want. And they replace valve and revert tanks. $40 includes labor, valve and recertification.

We're good to go for another five years.

When we're heading into Canada, we make sure we have 65 pounds propane on board (two 30s and a mini-grill 5) so we won't be paying the extra price on propane too. We can make a lot of weeks on the two 30s, eh?

silverwoman · 02-25-2012, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamStreamr

We had a problem only once with our 30# aluminum tanks -- in Flying J near Tampa FL. Guy looked at our tanks, saw the restamped date like Diesel1 says he does and the guy balked -- the date stamp didn't meet the criteria on the Flying J training document. The guy was correct, our tanks were not properly inspected, as it turned out.

We're in Phoenix area, have a top-notch gas service company. They custom fab hoses (these are SO much better than the factory ones on my 2005 Airstream) any length you want. And they replace valve and revert tanks. $40 includes labor, valve and recertification.

We're good to go for another five years.

When we're heading into Canada, we make sure we have 65 pounds propane on board (two 30s and a mini-grill 5) so we won't be paying the extra price on propane too. We can make a lot of weeks on the two 30s, eh?

Would you mind sharing where to go in Phoenix? I'll need 2 tanks soon. I was thinking about 2 40# tanks since I'll be full-timing.

DreamStreamr · 02-26-2012, 10:25 PM

We have had several great experiences with Arizona Propane, they are at something like 10225 East McKellips, Chandler, northwest of Mesa and just west of the 202

Jim
http://dreamstreamr.com

Taylormade · 04-03-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamStreamr

We had a problem only once with our 30# aluminum tanks -- in Flying J near Tampa FL. Guy looked at our tanks, saw the restamped date like Diesel1 says he does and the guy balked -- the date stamp didn't meet the criteria on the Flying J training document. The guy was correct, our tanks were not properly inspected, as it turned out.

Out of curiosity, was it the Flying J in Seffner, near Lazy Days RV? I was thinking of bringing my old aluminum tanks there this weekend, hoping they could recertify them on site.

perryg114 · 04-04-2012, 07:20 AM

I may give up and use 20lb grill bottles for the mean time. I really don't want to give up my float gage setup on my aluminum tanks for an inferior OPD valve.

Perry

Alden Miller · 04-04-2012, 01:34 PM

I was able to get my tanks recertified at a dive shop. I recall finding a Maryland DOT list of places that would recertify tanks. I called about six of the propane places and they all said they only recertified their own tanks. I called the dive shop because it was relatively close to my house. I believe it cost me $20 for two tanks...

Now, since I lost my '81 Excella I do have the currently certified aluminum tanks with OPD valves if anyone is interested... I can't ship them though.

-Alden

Cracker · 04-04-2012, 02:10 PM

I just had my 30# tanks certified and refilled. The cost for re-certification was $10/tank and the new date/info was properly stamped into the top collar. I thought that they would have to evacuate the tanks to re-certify them but, thankfully, it was not required. One of the tanks was only 1/8 down from full! The Canadian regulations are of interest as we often spend a week or so in the Maritimes and I was not aware of this requirement. I'll just make sure to depart the U. S. with full tanks - but can anyone second the comment???