new or old propane tanks

[striker]

should i keep the old propane tanks to my 1966 overlander or should i get new ones? i would like to keep it as close as i can to the way it was when it was new but would getting new tanks lower the value or not.






__________________________________________________ ___when you wake up ever day you are reborn now it is up to you
to do what you will with it.

[john hd]

striker

go with new, there are aluminum ones available. they are pricey.

or go to menards, they have steel tanks painted white. but you can fix that with a can of silver paint. (just dont paint over the labels)

i'm sure someone here has a link for worthington tanks.

stay warm!

john

[Jabba]

www.worthingtoncylinders.com is their website.

I just called to see about having my cylinders updated to opd. Told no problem as long as they're not over 12 years old, mine are, so we'll see what this leads to.

Note, if upgrading Aluminum Cylinders to opd, there is a different size valve needed, the dip tube length is different, read more under tips at the WBCCI website, I was unaware of it!

[john hd]

jason

most propane places will recertify your cans if they are not rusty, dented, or don't have a ring on the top for a nominal fee.

when i got my new valves last summer, recertification was 2 bucks each. they stamped new dates on the ring.

john

[Jabba]

I'm hoping they'll recert them. No hurry right now, our place looks like your yard pictures, snow and cold (7 degrees this morning). Speaking of, I'm going to try and post the first picture of the '55 later today and go out and shoot some this weekend and try and post them. I'm at work now (as always, it seems)

[john hd]

jason

ya gotta pay the bills!

john

[Jason1101]

I haven't done any research in my area yet, but what's the going rate to upgrade the valves?? My "new" Sovereign has two 30lb tanks in great shape, I would think that's the better way to go...

Also, who did the upgrade? Dumb question, I know. I would guess any local propane dealer, right?

Thanks!
Jason

[Pick]

Last time I had it done it was $45 including a purge and fillup. Make sure they install OPD valves with a 6.0" dip tube, NOT a 4.8" dip tube, which is specified for a 30# STEEL tank. They installed the wrong size on the first one I had done, but they will fix it for nothing. I just hope it doesn't take a million years for them to get the valves in, as they had to special order them.

[john hd]

revalved/recertified my two tanks for around 60 bucks for both, and filled them.

dropped them off on a friday and picked them up the next day.

john

[John]

When I bought my tailer last yr, my tanks didn't have the opd valves.

Since they were 9 yrs old, I bought 2 new 30#'ers full w/LPG for $45 w/the opd valves.

Sounded reasonable-John

[Jason1101]

John, Sounds like new might be the way to go if I can get a deal like you! Was this just from a local propane dealer? I wasn't sure if many places would even carry the 30lb tanks.

[John]

Jason,

Local RV shop was selling them. I brought my old ones in to be recert, but then he told me about this deal.

So it was a no brainer!

John

p.s. yea- those firestone tires would be great, just make sure your wife has your life insurance paid up 1st

[john hd]

jason

i see from your tag you are in the southeast, here in the sub zero midwest i would imagine propane and propane accessories are in higher demand. therefore a larger array of tanks may be available here.

john

[Jason1101]

Good point! I'll check w/ propane dealers and the RV guys. No rush, I won't need for several months. Might even be cheaper when it starts to warm up a little... (I'm in Birmingham and it's supposed to be 10 Degrees here this weekend, it was 11 last weekend!!)

[Jabba]

I was quoted a price of $16 per tank and made sure they knew they were for Aluminum tanks. I too will wait for the spring thaw! Going down to ZERO tomorrow night, yeeeeccchhhhhhh....

[Chas]

Just had my two 30lb alum. Worthington tanks upgraded today. I asked the guy if he knew there was a difference between the steel valves and the aluminum ones and he said it was minimal, 3/16 of an inch or so. He said they fill them by weight anyways so it is not a big deal. By the sound of the measurements quoted on this thread the difference is a couple of inches!!

How can I tell what valves he put on my tanks???

I've got a feelin maybe he is full of it?

Chas

[overlander64]

Greetings Chas!

There is quite a significant difference. The method for identifying the valve characteristic via stampings on the handle surface can be found in the article at the following location:

WBCCI Advisory on Aluminum Tank OPD Valves

I would almost be shocked to find a dealer with the proper valves in-stock. Nearly everyone with whom I have spoken has told me to expect the valves to be back-ordered. In my case, Ace Fogdall RV is handling having my 20 lb. Worthington tanks recertified and fitted with OPDs and the estimated date of delivery for the valves is April 15 - - and these have been on order for more than three months already.

Kevin

[Jabba]

Read the article Chas. your dealer sounds like he's not aware of the proper equipment. Remind him that it's a federal mandate to catch his attention

[Pick]

Wow, I need to go back to school. Must be new math? 1.2=3/16???

My question to him, would be if it is so minimal, why not a "one size fits all valve?" One of his relatives must work at the tire shop, where "We don't normally balance trailer tires."

[Chas]

Thanks a bunch,
I printed the advisory on valves and will check my tanks and see if I can educate this fella as well. I have ordered an new Fischer regulator/changeover valve from him and will be picking it up soon. I will be easy on him until I get my new regulator from him since he is selling them for only 75 bucks.

Chas