Old Bottles

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Distantdrummer

BTW how does the re-certification procedure work? Is it done while you wait? or do they have to send the tanks off somewhere?
Do they stamp or etch something into the aluminum to show the result passed like they do with the steel tanks?

For aluminum cylinders some places will do it while you wait since in most cases no hydro test is required.

Steel cylinders have to be hydro tested which means they have to be sent out.

The inspection date is stamped into the collar.

I last had this done with a CO2 fire extinguisher which I had used to put out a fire that was started by sparks from a cutting torch. No big deal. I think they charged $5 or something.

[Skamper1]

I realize I will have to change the valves. What gets me is that the current valve has OPD stamped on it. I guess the "triangle" OPD is a new and improved version?

[Jammer]

A few valves were made before they switched handwheels. The valves are no different, but some places won't believe it's an OPD valve without the new style handwheel.

[vwillet]

I got quoted $35 apiece for valves + $98 labour + 15$ apiece to recert +$25 apiece to fill for a total of $248. Does anyone know where, in or around Richmond, VA I can get it done at a more reasonable price? Just bought my Airstream and am getting ready for a trip to Alaska in August.

[Skamper1]

Will be hopefully taking AS to Macon in 2 weeks. Checked with Amerigas about recertifying tanks. Will let you know what they charge per tank. $248 sounds high to me.

[Skamper1]

Update: Got one tank inspected, certified and new OPD valve. Cost? $58 which included 30 lb fill-up. Charged me $28.95 for valve. Thanks for all the help here. Work was done in Byron, GA at AmeriGas. Nice people to work with and they could not have been more helpful. They had a heck of a time getting old valve off. Now to use propane from other tank and get it certified too!

[eubank]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Generally good information here.

One fact to consider is that it is not unlawful to fill non-OPD tanks. The OPD requirement is, technically, voluntary -- but propane dealers treat it as a requirement because their liability insurers require them to do so. People who fill their own tanks, for example, are not affected....

Sort of yes, sort of no. Individual states control the rules on LP safety, with some states being more stringent than others. The National Fire Protection Assn produces a big manual on LP safety (current is NFPA 58); states are free to adopt all, part or none of the recommendations there. I happen to live in a state that mandates all of it. Of course, states are free to come up with additional mandates not listed in the manual.

In addition, states are also free to adopt standards for licensing for fillers and others involved with propane. To fill propane in NM, for example, I must hold a valid "LP 9" license, which requires a fairly extensive test. By contrast, AZ requires no license for commercial fillers.

Bottom line: Yes, it is illegal in some states for a filler to fill the relevant cylinders that do not have the OPD.


Lynn

[Distantdrummer]

Originally Posted by Skamper1

Update: Got one tank inspected, certified and new OPD valve. They had a heck of a time getting old valve off. Now to use propane from other tank and get it certified too!

Does Propane get Old? or better put does Old Propane have any negatives?
Is there a shelf life of propane?


BTW has it always been Propane in RV usage? Was it ever Butane?

[eubank]

There may be a kind of a shelf life for propane (depending on how well refined it was), but it's likely to be a lot longer than your or my lifetime. Simple answer: No.

Lynn

[flyfshr]

It was LPG for a while as my trailer has a brass label stating such. I'm not sure about the butane but I remember seeing it listed before.

Brad
FF

[Wabbiteer]

Butane boils at -0.5 C, while propane boils at -42 C so...

In the far north country you might* get a majority or even pure propane while at the equator you might* get pure butane. Technically isobutane & propane works better than butane & propane mix in the cold so thats whats sold if its available.

I have a couple of propane DC generators made for back up power on cellular phone towers - they have an electrical heater in the fuel line (as well as block heaters) to ensure operation on mountain tops etc. well below the merely laughable -20's temperatures into the life altering -60's and below...

[Ganaraska]

It was a million years old when it came out of the ground so I don't think another 20 years will hurt it LOL.

[Jammer]

LP gas (propane, butane, any mixture of the two) has a shelf life that is longer than the lifespan of the tanks that contain it. It is widely used for standby power in remote locations for this reason.

In contrast, gasoline is not completely stable and at typical summer temperatures will deteriorate even in a sealed container over the course of a year or two. Evaporation of the more volatile fractions, and exposure to air and water, hasten the process.

[lpgasguy]

Make sure the company that does the recert is registered with DOT. The recert is not valid without an RIN number from DOT. If they don't know what that is then they are probably not registered.

[eddiemoab]

I just priced new steel 30# propane tanks on e-bay and Lowes. The cost comes out to about $60 each delivered. I'm ordering 2 for my 65 Boles and will paint them gold.