Propane tank age out, refurbish or replace?

When I get our 30's filled, they will take anywhere from 6.9-7.3 gallons, depending on temp, just when the auto change-over kicked in, etc.

"As to anybody that thinks that they are getting "full" tanks break out your bathroom scale when you get home. Those days went out with the dodo bird."

This is not 100% true, but some places don't fill to 20 lbs. I take a scale with me when I have mine filled and Menard's only filled to 18 lbs. I insisted they fill to 20 lbs so I got a full tank. They charge by the tank, not by the pound or gallon. So it definitely pays to check.

There is at least one place in AZ that looks. They are a propane supplier on the main drag thru Benson. Nice guy, cheap, legal, and on the way.
As to anybody that thinks that they are getting "full" tanks break out your bathroom scale when you get home. Those days went out with the dodo bird.

The float safety is just that. Safety. That's why a tank should never be filled by bypassing it. That was my point. Just like my 500 gallon tank at the house. Winter fills are 80%, summer fills are 70%.

That is great for those with a minimal cost hassle free cert when the guy is already at your home.
For me it would be a higher cost and a hassle and only last 5 years so I went new and good for 12 years.
To each their own.

After the visual inspection on my cylinders they used a Dremel with an engraving burr to etch the collar. The number they etched on the collar of each cylinder consisted of four digits representing the month and year and began or ended with the letter E. When cylinders are recertified using visual inspection method for the second time they are supposed to use the letter F.

I believe when they do a pressure test they remove the valve from the cylinder. Don't have any idea what it costs, but by the time they get done and they reinstall the valve, they will need to purge the tank with propane. So with a pressure test it will probably be just as economical to purchase a new 20 lb cylinder. With a 30 pound cylinder or a less than 20 lb cylinder, a pressure test may be more economical, but not by much, so it may be worth one's while to just replace the cylinder.

I did a google search for "Propane cylinder recertification" and found this:

"DOT 4-series propane cylinders must be requalified following their manufacture date every 5 or 10 years.
» If no requalification date is present, 10-years from the date of manufacture. » If requalification was completed by the “Volumetric Expansion” method, as indicated by a valid RIN holder’s requalification mark, 10-years after that date. » If requalification was completed by the “Proof-Pressure” method, as indicated by a valid RIN holder’s requalification mark followed by an “S” 10-years after that date. » If requalification was completed by the “External Visual” method, as indicated by a valid RIN or VIN holder’s requalification mark followed by an “E” 5-years after that date."

I have never had a cylinder (no, they are not "tanks") requalified by either 10 year method, so I have no idea of the cost, but I bet it is expensive!
I have had 20 lb. cylinders recertified by visual inspection at the local propane distributor. IIRC, it cost $5. They did not stamp the collar, they just put a dated sticker on it, then filled it. There has never been a problem since.

mobeewan wrote:

Tvov wrote:
As others have posted, recertification only lasts 5 years I think? If you know you will be using the tanks for more than the next 5 years, I suggest getting a new one.

Why? I can get mine visually recertified two times at $5 each time for a total of $10. Both times are good for 5 years for a total of 10 years. $10 is a lot cheaper than buying a brand new one especially those smaller than 20 lbs that can cost as much as 30 lb cylinders.

I probably spoke too soon... I actually don't have any idea how propane tanks are certified. In the past it has just been easier for me to get new tanks.

The next time I go for a refill (which will be shortly, if we ever get out from under this china virus) I am going ask what is involved with recertification.

bukhrn wrote:

mbopp wrote:

bukhrn wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
My local refiller recertifies free for regular customers,but I just replaced a 30# that had already been recertified twice and was looking a little worse for wear. The refiller charged me $50 for a purged and filled new cylinder and will dispose of the old cylinder. He used a large bolt cutter to destroy the threaded part of the valve to make it unusable.

X-2, I had 4 20 lb tank recert. for free.
When you get one that's in too bad shape to be recertified, simply take it to one of those Blue Rhino exchange places and trade it in, $18.00 you get a Newer tank full of gas.

I get mine recertified. Aren't tanks from Blue Rhino a 15# fill?

Actually should be 16 lb, which is 80% of 20, tanks are filled to 80% for some safety reg.

"Actually" a 20 lb cylinder by design would hold 25 lbs of propane if it were completely filled. 20 lbs of propane is 80% of 25 lbs. The reason there is extra volume is so the liquid can vaporize into a gas otherwise only liquid would come out of the cylinder until enough liquid came out the gas would begin forming.

So when blue rhino fills them with 15 lbs they are actually putting 75% of 80% of what the cylinder can actually hold. Blue rhino initially got sued for misleading people thinking they were getting 20 lbs of propane in the cylinders they were refilling. Initially they were doing it to rip people off. Now they say it's for safety reasons when they refill the used cylinders with only 15 lbs.

Tvov wrote:
As others have posted, recertification only lasts 5 years I think? If you know you will be using the tanks for more than the next 5 years, I suggest getting a new one.

Why? I can get mine visually recertified two times at $5 each time for a total of $10. Both times are good for 5 years for a total of 10 years. $10 is a lot cheaper than buying a brand new one especially those smaller than 20 lbs that can cost as much as 30 lb cylinders.

bukhrn wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
My local refiller recertifies free for regular customers,but I just replaced a 30# that had already been recertified twice and was looking a little worse for wear. The refiller charged me $50 for a purged and filled new cylinder and will dispose of the old cylinder. He used a large bolt cutter to destroy the threaded part of the valve to make it unusable.

X-2, I had 4 20 lb tank recert. for free.
When you get one that's in too bad shape to be recertified, simply take it to one of those Blue Rhino exchange places and trade it in, $18.00 you get a Newer tank full of gas.

Note that I was replacing a 30 lb cylinder, not a 20. I've never seen 30's at Blue Rhino or any other exchange point.