Electric 1988 E-150 Okagagan Camper Van

garyemunson wrote:
You may need to get it recertified at a propane dealer in order to find someone who will fill it (someone generally always will but the time you REALLY need propane is when everyone will start telling you it needs recertification). The way to sail through that process is remove it, wire brush and give it a fresh coat of paint making sure the stamped in data is clearly legible. and reinstall it with shiny new bolts. Propane dealers like stuff that looks good. Since the fridge works on electric, the cooling unit is good. You just need to move forward with getting propane to it and make sure that function works. Same with the furnace. Both need a solid 12 volt supply so batteries are the first order.

I haven't been able to get a good look at the lpg tank there seems to be alot of loose rust but didn't appear to be extreme rust impregnated into the cylinder tank.

As far as rectification, horizontal rv tanks use ASME standards. I'm uncertain if a rectification is required or not. DOT upright tanks do require a re-certification every 12 years where there re-certification is only good for another 5.

I plan to pull it and clean it up or possibly have it sand blasted. I did one on my Class-C where I brought it into a shop to have it sand blasted. Or perhaps purchase a compressor with a abrasive blaster.

I have a couple of gallons of Chassis Saver of which I would need to install a top coat over as some rust preventive paints aren't designed to be used as a top coat paint.


ASME tanks aren't the same as DOT tanks with fill, supply and OPD all of which is one valve. ASME has separate fill, supply and reflief valve. Also AFAIK DOT standards use a lighter metal for their tanks than ASME.

One may need to look around as some of the gas companies such as Amerigas, at least the one in our area, no longer services or re-certifies lpg tanks.

Yes I need to eventually install some house batteries for lighting and to run the water pump and furnace fan. I'm uncertain if this frig requires DC to run on gas as my other frig in another RV.

How long will e.g. three batteries last without a generator? I'm not certain. I've camped in the mountain forests in a Class-C with three RV ~100+ ah batteries, a 115 watt solar panel and 4000 watt genny. Because of the 7 amp furnace fan, lighting water pump, frig and lack of sun. the batteries kept falling to a point they became useless where they required at at least 24 hours to recharge to full capacity.