propane tanks

[RoyB]

Propane tanks Expiration Date
Did you know that Propane tanks expire?

Federal law requires tank re-certification after 12 years from the original manufacture date. A coded date is stamped into the carrying handle of the tank. The tank expires at the end of the month of the date stamped. Propane dealers are required by law to refuse to re-fill an expired tank.

Check out the date stamp in one of my propane tanks:

The first 2 digits represent the month. In this example 06 is June. The last 2 digits represent the year of manufacture. In this example 2002. This tank expires the end of April 2014. You can no longer refill this tank. Needs to be re-certified or replaced.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

you should...and most places it's the law.
main reason for this is to make sure the 80% valve works. propane bottles can not be filled above 80%-you need expansion room for when the bottle gets warmer, or it will bleed off. not a big deal if the tank is outside, diff story if it's inside your truck or camper bleeding off.
if the bottle passes a visual inspection (not rusted, rings intact, etc) then they can be re-valved. around here it costs about $40-50 to re-valve a tank, not really worth doing a 20 lb'er when you can buy new cheaper, but for 40's, hundreds and bigger tanks, it is worth it.
that all being said, my barbie tank is about 15 yrs old and not re-done, it sits outside, unlike my camper tanks that are inside, i keep fairly new.
we use propane every single day at my work and have a bulk 1000 gal tank so i can re-fill my old bottles- most filling places are by law not allowed to fill an older, uncertified tank.
we also have to get a certified propane filling tag, and a TDG tag (transportation dangerous goods) as we regularly haul more than 5 100 pounder bottles in our trucks.
and it is almost impossible for a propane tank to explode....

That's good to know. If the propane co. won't fill mine I'll just trade them for new tanks at Walgreen exchange center for $20 filled. I've done it in the past for my BBQ grill and not had any problems.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

Propane tanks Expiration Date
Did you know that Propane tanks expire?

Federal law requires tank re-certification after 12 years from the original manufacture date. A coded date is stamped into the carrying handle of the tank. The tank expires at the end of the month of the date stamped. Propane dealers are required by law to refuse to re-fill an expired tank.

Check out the date stamp in one of my propane tanks:

The first 2 digits represent the month. In this example 06 is June. The last 2 digits represent the year of manufacture. In this example 2002. This tank expires the end of April 2014. You can no longer refill this tank. Needs to be re-certified or replaced.

Uh oh, I'm in trouble. One tank is marked 4-97, the other is dated 3-98. It is stamped into the top that 12 years they must be inspected. The last time I filled them I was evidently within the expired date. I know it was a long time ago that I last had them filled. Man the years really fly when you get as old as me. Baah Humbug !!!

 

[old_man]

Beware of Blue Rhino tanks. They set them up and only fill them to the 15 lb level instead of the standard 20lb level. So you get 25% less gas. Even when you refill them elsewhere, it will vent at 15lbs from my experience. I grew up on a farm and have used propane/butane for 60 years.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

Beware of Blue Rhino tanks. They set them up and only fill them to the 15 lb level instead of the standard 20lb level. So you get 25% less gas. Even when you refill them elsewhere, it will vent at 15lbs from my experience. I grew up on a farm and have used propane/butane for 60 years.

My propane supplier tells me no tank can be filled past 80%. I wonder how accurate these gauges are that can be bought everywhere. I want to get one just to have something on hand.

 

[old_man]

The simplest and safest way is to crack the overflow screw and fill until you start getting liquid out. Rhino even changes this.

 

[Sparksalot]

I just filled a new 5 lb tank at Tractor Supply. It took 1.1 gallons, and cost $2.85.

 

[Sparksalot]

did they also purge it for you?
new bottles need to be purged before they can be filled

Yes, they did.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

did they also purge it for you?
new bottles need to be purged before they can be filled

How do you purge a bottle. I use to fill my own @ one filling station @ my local mechanics garage.

 

[Sparksalot]

How do you purge a bottle. I use to fill my own @ one filling station @ my local mechanics garage.

There was a small set screw on the side of the OPD valve that had to be opened briefly.

 

[RoyB]

So I just received my Manchester 5# mini propane tank from Amazon......A day early I might add!

But it is already a year and 4 months into its expiration date. Ugh!

But I'm 68 years old tomorrow, might not even need to in 9 years!

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

There was a small set screw on the side of the OPD valve that had to be opened briefly.

So by purging you are just letting out anything that is in there ?

 

[Sparksalot]

So by purging you are just letting out anything that is in there ?

Fir mine it was done because the tank wouldn’t take any propane at first. If yours fill properly, then you’re probably good. I can’t say I understand how the valves and safety features in an OPD work.

 

[RoyB]

Got the TIG welder out this morning and welded up an aluminum bracket for my "MiniMe" 5# propane tank. Hadn't touched the TIG welder in years. But like riding a bike, it all came back to me.

 

[armyRN]

I bought a 5lb propane cylinder, and modified a fire extinguisher holder to make it work as a mount (the mount is larger than a 10lb CO2 cylinder mount). I cut the top off the mount, and drilled out the spot welds on the straps and inside attachment pieces and remounted these pieces back to the bottom part with 1/4" bolts. And then bolted it to the side of my trailer. Seems like the fire extinguisher mount was $50-something. I put a small piece of padding on the base of the mount for the cylinder to rest on. You can adjust the tension on the strap to make it nice and snug.

 

[RoyB]

Well played....a good adaptation of an existing product

 

[Sparksalot]

I bought a 5lb propane cylinder, and modified a fire extinguisher holder to make it work as a mount (the mount is larger than a 10lb CO2 cylinder mount). I cut the top off the mount, and drilled out the spot welds on the straps and inside attachment pieces and remounted these pieces back to the bottom part with 1/4" bolts. And then bolted it to the side of my trailer. Seems like the fire extinguisher mount was $50-something. I put a small piece of padding on the base of the mount for the cylinder to rest on. You can adjust the tension on the strap to make it nice and snug.

I've been looking at doing the same. I can't justify $120 to hold a bottle I bought for $39.

 

[1Louder]

I've been looking at doing the same. I can't justify $120 to hold a bottle I bought for $39.

Come on the $120 one is Overland Approved! :) and yes I have had a few of those. I'm not smart enough to fabricate anything.

 

[armyRN]

Here's a link reviewing the Overland propane tank mount, and further on I come in and describe how I modified the fire extinguisher mount to work for my 5lb propane cylinder. Also includes links for purchasing one of these fire extinguisher mounts (or you can take the model number and see if you can purchase one locally).

And it really was just a cut/drill/bolt together affair; no welding involved.

PowerTank 5lb propane tank bracket review

For those considering one of these for their trailer. (Wasnt sure where to post this feel free to move.)

www.expeditionportal.com

Since the tank is mounted on the outside of my trailer, I wanted to get something to cover the valve and such to keep it clean. What I discovered was a "faucet sock" is inexpensive (about $8.00) and does the trick. It was even the right color!

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

Here's a link reviewing the Overland propane tank mount, and further on I come in and describe how I modified the fire extinguisher mount to work for my 5lb propane cylinder. Also includes links for purchasing one of these fire extinguisher mounts (or you can take the model number and see if you can purchase one locally).

And it really was just a cut/drill/bolt together affair; no welding involved.

PowerTank 5lb propane tank bracket review

For those considering one of these for their trailer. (Wasnt sure where to post this feel free to move.)

www.expeditionportal.com

Since the tank is mounted on the outside of my trailer, I wanted to get something to cover the valve and such to keep it clean. What I discovered was a "faucet sock" is inexpensive (about $8.00) and does the trick. It was even the right color!

Good idea, propane condoms. :-)