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sascher · 07-15-2014, 10:51 AM

I have a 31 ft 1971 with aluminum tanks. It has been parked for years. I am reading about renovating airstreams and am making a list of all of the things required for this trailer. I fill my own propane tanks on the farm, so they have never had the opd valves put on. Will the propane police get me if I don't change them?

Gene · 07-15-2014, 11:02 AM

You've tipped your hand. The propane police are coming for you.

I'm sure a few propane stations will fill them anyway, but eventually you'll be on the road and they will refuse. You also have to get the tanks certified by someone qualified to do it—every 12 years in the US, 10 in Canada.

Gene

featherbedder · 07-15-2014, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

You've tipped your hand. The propane police are coming for you.

I'm sure a few propane stations will fill them anyway, but eventually you'll be on the road and they will refuse. You also have to get the tanks certified by someone qualified to do it—every 12 years in the US, 10 in Canada.

Gene

I have aluminum 30lb. since 1967 & 40lb. tanks since 1977 on my 31AS have had valves changed opd & never have them recertified have had them filled many times, only stamping on tanks are orig. dates never had any prob. having filled.

perryg114 · 07-15-2014, 11:30 AM

As long as they don't leak go ahead and fill them. If you ever get inspected which is unlikely just act dumb. I would not mention refilling them. The old tanks were better than had the float level gage in them. If you upgrade you will loose this level gage.

Perry

Gene · 07-15-2014, 11:40 AM

I have filled at RV parks and other propane suppliers and some are careful and some are not. While waiting for the tank to fill I read the rules and when I see the guy filling it is careless, I move further away. Whether they check the date on the tanks, I can't tell. In Minnesota (or was it Michigan?—they both start with "Mi" and have Great Lakes around) one time, I was given a sticker to place on the tanks that the state requires. I didn't read the sticker and still haven't. Some people have posted on the Forum they couldn't get propane in Canada because of the shorter certification time there. They found someone to certify them, but it may be many miles before you do.

Maybe the tanks are fine and will cause no problems. But someday when you need to keep the fridge running, want to cook on the stove or keep warm at night, you may be searching all over for someone to upgrade and certify the tanks. That person may be the most expensive guy you'll ever find once you get him away from dinner since it may be evening.

Gene

pmclemore · 07-15-2014, 11:55 AM

I went ahead and had the new valves put on my 40lb tanks. Not only are they compliant, but the new valves come with the exterior thread hand-tighten valves.

Once and done.

Pat

Gearheart · 09-10-2014, 02:47 PM

The reason for 10 or 12 year recertification is the valve itself. Over time the LPG attacks the valve sealing rubber and eventually it could leak. To beat this possibility before it has a chance the tanks are recertified. All that entails is a visual inspection and a new valve put in. 20 lb steel tanks are basically traded for new ones. In Ontario they are under $60 with a fill included. The 30# aluminum tanks OTOH are hella expensive and a recert makes good sense.

J. Morgan · 09-10-2014, 04:23 PM

My 1972 tanks are fitted with new valves but no certification.

Only once were they refused to fill by Flying J in Abilene. It was cold out and the kid who came out was talking on his phone the whole time,,, he only needed a good excuse to go back inside....

I just took the tanks to a real propane seller and got em filled...

JimGolden · 09-10-2014, 05:17 PM

How much gas do you use on a trip? I don't think I've ever blown through one tank, let alone two. If you can go on a trip long enough to burn 60lbs of LP, my hat's off to you! I sure wish I could

You'll probably be fine. But, it's not a big deal to get the new valves put in. I hav twin 40lb Worthington's on my rig an I got new valves put in about 7 years ago. I think it was $17 each, total. Year before that I ordered a new OPD valve on the internet to stick in my gas grille bottle and it was $20, and I had a whale of a time clamping the tank down, getting a pipe wrench and "cheater" pipe to get the old valve out and the new one in. Easier to let the LP place do it....if you have a good one.

It ain't no big deal...if you can get by as-is then I'd do it. If you're worried about being on the road and needing LP, then get new ones put in. It doesn't cost that much.

See ya on the road,

J. Morgan · 09-10-2014, 05:34 PM

I had to unexpectedly and quickly go to Lubbock this past January. When we arrived in Abilene it started snowing, and the next morning the temperature was in the single digits.

I had left AR with one full tank, and one that was not so full. Paranoia set in and I NEEDED to have two full tanks just in case. It stayed in the single digits and teens for most of the following week, but didn't use a full tank....

danjoe91 · 02-22-2015, 12:05 PM

I have one original 40 lb tank valve on my '85 Excella, and it started leaking from the black plastic cap on the valve. What do I do with this ( was full ) tank? I knew nothing about needing certification, and apparently was not a problem for the guy who filled it at a gas station/ propane stop. The duct tape I put over this is holding for now, but will anyone repair this while it's leaking?

J. Morgan · 02-22-2015, 12:11 PM

If it is leaking, get a new valve.

The duct tape.... I am going to assume you are pulling our collective legs, it wont hold propane.

1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

AWCHIEF · 02-22-2015, 12:14 PM

Take the tank to a real propane service, fill company. They can purge the tank and repair or replace the valve if necessary.

CBWELL · 02-22-2015, 12:14 PM

I found out something this year that I didn't know about propane tank certification in Canada. Bought the 1994 this past spring and went to get the tanks filled. No can do as they are past 10 year date. Asked to have them retested and certified. CAN NOT DO!!! Tanks are from the US, and if they are dated after 1978, with no Canadian certification, they can not recertify in Canada. I had to take my tanks to North Dakota to have them recertified and new valves installed. Took all of 1 hour, and with fill, cost less than half of what it cost in Canada. Just a FYI, if you are heading up to Canada, make sure your tanks are updated, just in case you need to have them filled.

AWCHIEF · 02-22-2015, 12:19 PM

This crazy Canadians and their strange laws.

Jim Foster · 02-22-2015, 12:20 PM

It's propane...... It burns, and can cause an explosion.

Do it right. Have your tanks checked and fitted with the new valves. You will never be sorry that you did. You may be sorry if you don't.

macofpei · 02-22-2015, 12:32 PM

I have Americian tanks on Belle and had them recertivied a couple of years ago while on a trip thru the New England States. I paid $75.00 to get the two tanks done, pressure tested after valve replace. I had to pay for refills but I had the tanks empty b4 refit. Now, they are good until 2022.

C Johnson · 02-22-2015, 01:05 PM

I had my propane tanks re-certified recently and come to find out I had one valve that was bad. Even though some places will fill the tanks when they are expired it is still a good idea to get them checked out once in a while.

J. Morgan · 02-22-2015, 03:00 PM

http://www.tedjohnsonpropane.com/pro...certification/

1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

danjoe91 · 02-22-2015, 03:17 PM

I know I need a new valve, but I discovered this when I pulled off the highway on a trip- in the middle of the desert. Duct tape is all I had. I am home now, but could not find anyone that was even open today ( Sunday) to call. I will go tomorrow.