Any maintenance needed on propane tanks?

just guessing here but I would think your bbq hook up is low pressure and any external tank you add would need a regulator to drop the pressure?
bumpy

No maintenance require other than normal cleaning and wiping, Look at it every once in a while for damage to the valve hoses and regulator.

Bumpyroad wrote:
just guessing here but I would think your bbq hook up is low pressure and any external tank you add would need a regulator to drop the pressure?
bumpy

That's what I'm thinking.

Bruce

When de-winterizing I use a dilute dish soap to check for leaks.

They do need to be re-certified after about 10 years of use. Other than that just keep them clean and as free of rust as possible.

You need to keep the tank clean. They start to chip from road debris. You should re-paint it when it gets nasty looking. There is Krylon propane tank paint at my local Ace Hardware.
Make sure the valve and fill protector shield is straight to gain access to those items.
There is a device call extended-A stay that allows connection of an external tank. The kit comes with a high pressure hose for connecting the tank and a high pressure hose for BBQ. It mounts between the tank valve and your existing regulator.
You would need to check what type of propane source your rig is plumbed for. Most are plumbed for low pressure.

Inspect the tank for rust. When you find it, clean the rust off down to bare metal, prime and paint. Rustoleum or similar primer and paint from a spray can is adequate.
Other than that, no inspections are required. the small portable bottles must be recertified, but frame mounted tanks do not have that requirement.

There are several methods to connect an external bottle to a motorhome. When we were full timers, I bought a 100 pound bottle, a regulator, a 12 foot hose, and a double flare adapter. I disconnected the hose from the trailer regulator, connected the 12 foot hose using the double flare adapter, and connected the hose to the regulator on the 100 pound bottle.
One winter I got tired of rassling the big bottle around, and rented an 80 GALLON tank. The propane distributor delivered the tank, hooked it up, and kept it full. That was GREAT!!
There are also "Extend-A-Stay" fittings available to connect an external tank or bottle. Check your local RV parts store for availability and instructions on use.

1. Remove rust
2. Paint bare metal
3. Pop-a-top and enjoy life

When a propane tank reaches 10 years, it MUST be recertified before it can be refilled. There is a manufacturing date stamped on the bottle. When it reaches the 10 year limit, just take it to a certified propane vendor and they can usually do the inspection and recertification.

As others have stated, just make sure you take care of rust issues and you'll get a long life out of them.

I would think that you would want to look at the prepackaged extend-a-stay type systems. Most are shown with the manifold connected directly to the valve on the tank with a feed thru to the RV's LPG system, including the regulator. With the tank valve open and nothing else connected to the extend-s-stay, the system would work with the permanent regulator to feed the RV.

With the tank valve closed and a hose from the external cylinder connected to the manifold and the cylinder valve open, the system will work using the permanent regulator. There is a cap provided with most systems to keep the external BBQ connection clean.

With the tank valve open and a hose connected to you BBQ w/regulator, your RV system will work and your BBQ will work.

You can put the extend-a-stay manifold after the RV systems regulator if you want, in fact there are some made to connect that way. The more popular type, however, connects to the tank valve before the regulator.

The part number for a "Sturgi-stay" deluxe kit is $93.19, that includes hoses and the manifold. The manifold only runs from $44.59 to $73.99 from Sturgis.

The manifold only from Camco is $37.99.

These two systems are for the average DIY guy and are very easy to install yourself. A roll of Yellow thread tape is required and an adaptor to connect the manifold to the RV system may be needed.

With this type of installation you don't have to remove the regulator from your BBQ.