Check date on propane tanks!
 

We had a bit of a headache while in the Smokeys. Went to fill a 30 # propane tank and was told that nobody could fill it since it was apparently 2 years beyond when it was due to be “recertified”.

I told him I was not aware or just forgot over since the tanks were new in 2003. I was told they need to be checked every 10-12 years. Also there is some kind of huge fine for refilling an outdated tank.

I ended up buying a new (Mansfield) tank, and then filled that- out the door at just under $100. Now I have figure out what to do with tank #2.

Another thing was the places I went would not dispose of old tank. I gave it ro a kid that worked there who said he could use it after he had it inspected.

Bottom line is check the dates on your tanks and get them recertified so you don’t go through this.

One thing I can’t figure out is why the place I ussually get my propane didn’t mention this over the past 2 years!

Recertifying tanks is relatively cheap, but not every place that sells propane can do it so they may just look the other way. They may also not really pay close attention to the date code on a visually-clean, not-apparently-rusty tank.

I think I had the aluminum tanks from my '75 filled 2x before someone looked at the date code. The previous owner had upgrade to OPD valves and painted the tanks (to match the Argosy color) but hadn't had them recertified, and I just never thought about it since they were aluminum.

First re-cert at 10 years and every 5 years there after, I think. I just had my two 30 year old aluminum tanks re certified at a gas distributor. I had the updated valves, etc from the last time already. It is just something that you need to put up with.

Find a large propane distributor that fills residential tanks. They will likely provide re-certification, including a fill, for around $20-$40 per tank.


Al

I think the recertify is~10$. The part that was kind of inconvenient was the fact I found this out on a Saturday about 5pm with all the places I contacted closing at about 6. Temperature the next few nights to drop down to about 28 degrees.

Of course I would have had all this done prior to the 650 mile drive from Chicago had I known. Live and learn.

Thanks.

In the high 70s, low 80s here today.....hotter yesterday. Send some of those low temps down here.

Small town America, got a tank re certified and filled, cost was propane only, cert was a courtesy to customer.

Still a bit confused over how many times it can be re certified though. That's some other day's concern.

In the US the original certification is good for 12 years and recertifications are good for 5 years. According a website in Canada the tanks must be certified every 10 years. This might mean that your tanks are OK in the US, but expired in Canada. On my last Airstream I had my tanks certified early because we were traveling to Canada.
https://propane.ca/safety-regulation/

I think they can be recertified as long as they are in good condition. Not rusty, dented, etc. I've seen one company whose website said they can be recertified 3 times, which would represent a service life of 27 years which (for a steel tank) seems quite long enough. Now, my 40-year-old aluminum propane cylinders from the Argosy that had been upgraded to OPD valves might well have a useful service life longer than mine!

Recently I did try the google search and most answers were from a propane supplier. And offered details w/o source data it got a bit confusing. My shop even gave me two different answers from different folks, hence i'm not quoting what they said as final answers.

Haven't seen the US sourced reg's document, yet.

These are the rules>
https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phms...pane_en_v3.pdf

A W Warn,

I didn’t find that doc during searches and it’s a US DOT doc. Good.

But after reading it, how many times can our vertical tanks be re certified via visual insp?

Thanks

Gary

Don't know for sure, but I suspect as long as the tank and valve are not damaged.

Mine dated 1970's passed inspection in 2014. Had to replace the ODP valve for that inspection.

crazylev: Thanks for starting this thread. I've had several of my old tanks recertified now by my local propane guy. He won't fill a tank with an old date. I have a couple of more tanks to do yet, when the propane in them is used up.

It is good Airstreamers know of this regulation. I suppose it makes us safer. Outdated tanks won't get filled at the very time you need it.

We heat our home with propane. I wonder if that tank has be "re-certified". I'll have to ask.

David

Propane tanks in Canada
 

I discovered last year that my aluminum tanks from 2005 can not be recertified in Canada since they do not bear a Canada DOT code though this was overlooked for one tank by the tech. When I went back with the second tank the boss was there and they brought out the rule book and declined to recertify. So neighbors, check and fill your tanks before you come to Canada! I am looking at paying you a visit to get my tank certified and filled.

I love this site and its contributors. I’m still learning new stuff everyday. Still have and use the original tanks on our 2001 AS. They have the proper valves and they’re in good condition but they’ve never been recertified. Guess I need to get on that. Sounds like they’re overdue. When they’re recertified, do they put a dated sticker on the tank or give you a document to prove they’ve been checked out?

When my aluminum tanks were recertified by a propane dealer in Texas, they put a sticker inside the collar that surrounds the valve.

My shop stamped the re certification date in the aluminum top collar.

My propane dealer simply stamped "4 18 5" on the top of my steel tank outside the collar, see photo. He said it stands for April 2018 and due again in 5 years.
I don't remember any document that said he "certified" the tank as good. He has been in business 40 years so I "assume" he knows his stuff.

David

My opinion based on> (see the USDOT rules in the link above)
Whoever stamped those numbers into the cylinder actually created damage (dents in the wall of the tank) that would disqualify that tank from being re-certified.
The numbers should have been stamped in the collar.