Can someone tell me what to do about my propane tanks? They say they can't refill our 1984-model tanks in Rhode Island anymore because the valves are illegal. Can I change the valves, or do I need to buy new tanks? Will the steel barbeque tanks work, or are you required to use aluminum? Is there a source for this stuff online?
Chris Scheck
RAGTIME CD33
Newport RI
cscheck@aol.com
PROPANE TANK VALVE
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Paul D
Re: PROPANE TANK VALVE
Chris,
I refilled our two 10 pound aluminum tanks this spring with the old valves. But two or three other suppliers said they would not fill them as they did not have the new valves. I think different suppliers have different rules and not all are caught up with the new regulation. You will most likely need to purchase new tanks. They can be either steel or aluminum but the aluminum will last longer from what I hear. The normal marine stores have tanks that will fit with the new, triangular valves. I have been told we cannot add them to our existing tanks. I think I just got lucky and will be able to put off purchasing propane tanks till the end of the season or next spring.
Good luck,
Paul Danicic
CD 33 Christine Lynn
Grand Marais, MN
menogyn@YMCAmpls.org
I refilled our two 10 pound aluminum tanks this spring with the old valves. But two or three other suppliers said they would not fill them as they did not have the new valves. I think different suppliers have different rules and not all are caught up with the new regulation. You will most likely need to purchase new tanks. They can be either steel or aluminum but the aluminum will last longer from what I hear. The normal marine stores have tanks that will fit with the new, triangular valves. I have been told we cannot add them to our existing tanks. I think I just got lucky and will be able to put off purchasing propane tanks till the end of the season or next spring.
Good luck,
Paul Danicic
CD 33 Christine Lynn
Grand Marais, MN
menogyn@YMCAmpls.org
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Tom
Re: PROPANE TANK VALVE
My understanding is that the new valves don't work on horizontal tanks, but if you have a vertical tank, you can convert it over to the new valve. The catch 22 is that the conversion may cost more than a new tank. In our area the conversion costs about $ 40 and the tank has to be re-certified after the valve is put on. You can get a brand new tank with the new valve at Costco for around $ 28. I've also heard that you can turn your old tank in at an Amerigas Exchange site and get a replacement when you buy a full one. I haven't actually done this, but I'm passing on what others have told me. The thing about steel tanks around salt water is that although they work fine, they rust as you can imagine. Aluminum tanks don't leave rust all over things after a year and they are also lighter to carry back and forth in the dinghy when they need to be filled. The down side is they are 5+ times more expensive than the steel ones. So it really comes down to economics -- do you want to do it really right and have all the advantages of aluminum tanks but go for the deep pocket, or do you want to go the economical route and accept the downsides of the steel tanks. BTW it is illegal to fill vertical tanks with the old valve anywhere in the U.S. You may have just lucked into a place that either doesn't know, or doesn't care.
TomCambria@mindspring.com
Chris Scheck wrote: Can someone tell me what to do about my propane tanks? They say they can't refill our 1984-model tanks in Rhode Island anymore because the valves are illegal. Can I change the valves, or do I need to buy new tanks? Will the steel barbeque tanks work, or are you required to use aluminum? Is there a source for this stuff online?
Chris Scheck
RAGTIME CD33
Newport RI
TomCambria@mindspring.com
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Bob Loewenstein
Re: PROPANE TANK VALVE
Hi Chris,
It was good meeting you at Cuttyhunk and again at Onset.
I have two vertical aluminum tanks (tare 10#). Last month I replaced the valve on one of the tanks which for about $32 (including a refill). My other tank is pretty full, so I'm using it as a backup only . One tank lasts us over a year.
The cost of a new aluminum tank is over $100. You can get a steel tank for around $30 or less. I think in an marine environment most people use aluminum.
Bob
rfl@yerkes.uchicago.edu
It was good meeting you at Cuttyhunk and again at Onset.
I have two vertical aluminum tanks (tare 10#). Last month I replaced the valve on one of the tanks which for about $32 (including a refill). My other tank is pretty full, so I'm using it as a backup only . One tank lasts us over a year.
The cost of a new aluminum tank is over $100. You can get a steel tank for around $30 or less. I think in an marine environment most people use aluminum.
Bob
rfl@yerkes.uchicago.edu
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Catherine Monaghan
Try a cylinder exchange
Chris,
Try a cylinder exchange. Visit the <a href="http://www.bluerhino.com/cylobsolete.htm">Blue Rhino web site</a>, and click on the link to <a href="http://www.bluerhino.com/nearestretailer.asp">locate a Blue Rhino exchange outlet near you</a>. Anyway, your local propane gas provider should be able to provide either a new OPD valve or a new tank and hopefully they'll exchange the old one for a new one.
By the way, horizontal tanks are exempt from needing an OPD. Any such cylinder must have a label affixed to it to inform the user and the refiller that an OPD valve is not installed. (See <a href="http://www.npga.org/public/articles/det ... 827">OPD's: Information for Consumers</a>)
For more info regarding the OPD, see the National Propane Gas Association's web site at <a href="http://www.npga.org/">www.npga.org</a> or <a href="http://www.npga.org/public/articles/OPD ... .pdf">read this document</a>.
Hope this helps.
Cathy M.
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghanNOSPAM@merck.com
Try a cylinder exchange. Visit the <a href="http://www.bluerhino.com/cylobsolete.htm">Blue Rhino web site</a>, and click on the link to <a href="http://www.bluerhino.com/nearestretailer.asp">locate a Blue Rhino exchange outlet near you</a>. Anyway, your local propane gas provider should be able to provide either a new OPD valve or a new tank and hopefully they'll exchange the old one for a new one.
By the way, horizontal tanks are exempt from needing an OPD. Any such cylinder must have a label affixed to it to inform the user and the refiller that an OPD valve is not installed. (See <a href="http://www.npga.org/public/articles/det ... 827">OPD's: Information for Consumers</a>)
For more info regarding the OPD, see the National Propane Gas Association's web site at <a href="http://www.npga.org/">www.npga.org</a> or <a href="http://www.npga.org/public/articles/OPD ... .pdf">read this document</a>.
Hope this helps.
Cathy M.
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghanNOSPAM@merck.com