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Old 12-08-2013, 05:31 AM   #1
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LP Gas Tank Safety

My LP tanks are probably past due for servicing. I kept smelling LP odor and looked inside the valve. The rubber seal inside there looks dry and brittle and cracked. What is the proper way to maintain LP tanks? I don't want to use rental tanks where simply swapping out would solve the problem so owning and keeping my own tanks safe is required.
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Old 12-08-2013, 09:42 AM   #2
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There really is no way to "maintain" a propane tank other than to wipe it down, check it for leaks using a spray bottle with soap and water periodically and of course check for heavy rust. If it is a newer OPD tank (the triangle valve) I'm pretty sure you can rebuild the valve with new seals. If not replace just the valve. Hope this helps.
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Old 12-08-2013, 03:10 PM   #3
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I think you would be opening a can of worms trying to repair a propane tank valve me I would trade it in at WalMart just take a good look at the date on the tank and get the newest one you can find.
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Old 12-09-2013, 04:21 AM   #4
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Isn't there a time limit that LP tanks should be reconditioned? What do they do to "recondition" tanks?

Guess I'll check WW for another set and get it over with.
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Old 12-09-2013, 05:30 AM   #5
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You can purchase tanks at any "good" RV store.....and just have them filled at a propane dealer. I'm not sure of the "age" of a tank but I do know we had 2 tanks (80#)for a propane stove we used when we did catering at events.....when we moved to the North Country our propane dealer would not fill them - so they went to the dead cylinder yard......
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Old 12-09-2013, 06:16 AM   #6
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No, the whole tank does not need to be junked.
They can be re-certified by a full service propane dealer like Amerigas

Take them to a service center that works on propane devices. They re-certify them by replacing the valve on the tank. If it is an older tank with non stop-fill valves, they will be replaced with the new style valves.
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Old 12-09-2013, 09:02 AM   #7
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I did read that the tank needed to be re-certified every 12 years and my tanks were from 2000. I guess if I keep these tanks, and don't see why I shouldn't since there is no rust, a new valve is in order for each tank. Might call our local LP dealer to see how much that event costs.

Thanks for the replies.
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Old 12-09-2013, 10:11 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Jim-Bev-2363 View Post
I did read that the tank needed to be re-certified every 12 years and my tanks were from 2000. I guess if I keep these tanks, and don't see why I shouldn't since there is no rust, a new valve is in order for each tank. Might call our local LP dealer to see how much that event costs.

Thanks for the replies.
I'd be interested in your results, as I may need to do the same.
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Old 12-09-2013, 02:54 PM   #9
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Yep 12 years and 5 years there after. As far as I know they get a new valve or the should have a new valve. For the 30-40 dollar fee I would just trade them in pick through the tanks and grab one with the newest date. I fill tanks for a local camp ground and I have yet to see a full tank from any propane refiller but if you get a good tank it's worth the 1 or two of propane they stiff you for. I trade mine when they get a little rust on them nice new paint and 17# of propane.
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Old 12-10-2013, 03:50 AM   #10
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After checking my options I think I will go with the Blue Rhino tanks and be careful about what tanks I choose. Since we do most of our camping here in Florida the LP lasts us a long time. these tanks were last filled in 2010 so three years on two 20# tanks ain't so bad and shouldn't break the bank when replacing tanks later on. I do like the idea of being able to go to many outlet stores and get LP any hour the stores are open, like 24 hours for some, instead of waiting for a LP truck to run thru the campground or spending a long time waiting for someone to finally get to the LP filling station. there is something to be said for convenience. Knowing to visually check the rubber gasket in the valve and the date of the tank puts me ahead of the game when buying.

Hope this thread will help others when filling their tanks.

Thanks for the help.
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Old 12-10-2013, 08:19 AM   #11
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On the plus side for the exchange tanks is that they are constantly checked for certification by the company filling the tanks. When my old tanks needed to be changed from old style valve to new style I just swapped them for a good looking pair.
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Old 12-10-2013, 12:37 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Poppy & Nana View Post
You can purchase tanks at any "good" RV store.....and just have them filled at a propane dealer. I'm not sure of the "age" of a tank but I do know we had 2 tanks (80#)for a propane stove we used when we did catering at events.....when we moved to the North Country our propane dealer would not fill them - so they went to the dead cylinder yard......
OK so I spoke out of line.....I checked with Leo and he said the tanks did not go to the dead cylinder yard......our propane dealer did fill them, then Leo gave them to our daughter and son-in-law for use at their home......and they are still using them....oes to show you how much I get kept in the loop.

All this time I thought they would not fill them.........opps!!!!
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Old 12-10-2013, 01:39 PM   #13
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LOL! I'm wrong quite often and more so when I post opinion as fact online, *grin*
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Old 12-10-2013, 04:19 PM   #14
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Old 12-19-2013, 07:58 AM   #15
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Just to make sure I was comparing apples to apples I took my out of date tanks by a filling station. They would not fill the tanks and said to get them recertified would cost as much as a new tank. No I didn't price a new tank.

Then I stopped by Home Depot. They carried AmeriGas tanks for less than $20 each. I got two fresh looking, not rusted, tanks and put them on the TT. Very easy. I did pay inside but could have paid outside twenty-four hours a day and exchanged my tanks. Very fast, very easy. Not sure what owners of larger tanks would do but for the convenience I would think about going to the smaller tanks for convenience if nothing else.
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Old 12-19-2013, 03:34 PM   #16
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I can tell you they will not completely fill the tanks. There are many reports of 17# in a 20# cylinder when I trade mine the next fill up is done by a gas co or a campground. I got my last tanks from Wal-Mart 17# out of 20. if you complain they will tell you it can't be filled to 20# because of the over fill protection it is just another way to make money it is not true. I fill tanks all summer long at our local camp ground and indeed you can put 20# in a 20# tank. We have a set fee for 20# tanks but anything bigger it’s either weighted or by the gallon. Most of the refill places stiff you for nearly a gallon of propane. (4.2 # to the gallon) All tanks are marked with a tare weight that is the weight of the tank empty so just subtract that from the full weight and you’ll know how much you paid for. Sorry about the rant but I have seen it many times from exchange tank outfits.
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Old 12-19-2013, 04:11 PM   #17
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IMHO, the rant is worth the knowledge gained from it.
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Old 12-19-2013, 08:33 PM   #18
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My refill station says their only aloud to fill to 80% but they only charge by the #
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Old 12-20-2013, 03:50 AM   #19
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I think the 80% is a feature of the tanks. They have a pop-off valve that bleeds gas once that level is reached so tanks cannot be filled above that amount.

My concern was tanks filled with less that the set level. Where I use to live we had a LP tank for the home. I saw the delivery truck operator go next door, young single mom, and put gas in her tank but leave the ticket in the meter and drive to our house and continue filling. I know that not all tanks have to be filled the same or charges correct. I really do not like paying for what I do not get. Once bitten and all that.

The 20 pound rating is for gas capacity, not tank volume. I also filled tanks for commercial use and know how to fill tanks. Sometimes we get ripped off. What I have done this time is exchange my old, unusable tanks for new refillable tanks. Now, until these tanks cannot be filled legally I will get them filled at filling stations where I can watch how it is done. Unless a emergency comes up and I have to exchange tanks again.

Now that I'm old, fat, bald and retired I just want to get my gas before I pass gas waiting in line.
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Old 12-20-2013, 06:39 AM   #20
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Exactly. A 20# tank can and will hold 20# of liquid propane legally. The new tanks have a float valve inside it will shut off the flow of propane entering the tank if it is over filled. Propane is dispensed as a liquid and what you use is the gas in the top of the tank, propane boils at about -44*F. The float valve is a safety device to keep the level low enough that the liquid cannot escape it also shuts off the flow if the tank is over turned this is what keeps it from being over filled. The old tanks had no float so if the bleeder was left open it could be filled to the point that the liquid might escape. The liquid propane once the pressure is removed expands instantly into a huge explosive gas cloud not a good thing. The bottom line a 20# tank holds 20# or 4.76 gallons otherwise it would be called a 17# tank.
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