When did it become law that you are not allowed to refill propane tanks with the older 5 point star valve handle on top? Went to get my 30lb propane tank filled today and was told they could not legally fill it as it was a 1999 tank with the old valve. I find this interesting as the camper is a 2006 that I bought from a dealer in April of last year. They filled the tanks. Has the law gone into effect since April of 2012?

Sounds like there was some miscommunication going on. Look at the date on the protective collar of your propane cylinder. I suspect the cylinder is over 12 yrs old and that's why they couldn't refill it. Had nothing to do with the valve.You can find a local LP dealer to recertify it for another 5 yrs fairly cheap.

Or, if the option is available to you, swap the tank for a new one pre-filled at any number of locations.Home Depot around here does that, as do a number of gas stations. Fast, easy, and doesn't cost much more than filling, but is certainly cheaper than getting a tank recertified.

I just ran into the same thing. It was at an Ace hardware. The tank was out of date. Funny thing is that same Ace filled it before and it was out of date then.I checked all my tanks and had two out of date. I swapped them at a local grocery store. $16/ea. I suspect it was cheaper than getting them certified and filled. Although I did not check prices for cert.

Probably had an expired bottle BUT: The law requiring the three poit OPD valves was around 2000. For what it's worth I doubt if you'll find ANYONE who will allow you to swap an old style velve for a new LEGAL one. If you DO swap bottles then you're also paying FAR more than you should for gas. Better to pay the $20.00 bucks or so to install a legal valve and buy your LP gas from a dealer where they fill YOUR bottle.

FWIW, I haven't seen anyplace that will exchange 30lb cylinders, only 20lb.On edit: Found a fairly in-depth explanation on the web http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infgasgrill/infopd.html

Propane Tank Safety Valve Question | Good Sam Community

skipnchar
Explorer
May 23, 2013
Probably had an expired bottle BUT: The law requiring the three poit OPD valves was around 2000. For what it's worth I doubt if you'll find ANYONE who will allow you to swap an old style velve for a new LEGAL one. If you DO swap bottles then you're also paying FAR more than you should for gas. Better to pay the $20.00 bucks or so to install a legal valve and buy your LP gas from a dealer where they fill YOUR bottle.
jamnw
Explorer
May 23, 2013
I just ran into the same thing. It was at an Ace hardware. The tank was out of date. Funny thing is that same Ace filled it before and it was out of date then.

I checked all my tanks and had two out of date. I swapped them at a local grocery store. $16/ea.
I suspect it was cheaper than getting them certified and filled. Although I did not check prices for cert.
bmupton
Explorer
May 23, 2013
Or, if the option is available to you, swap the tank for a new one pre-filled at any number of locations.

Home Depot around here does that, as do a number of gas stations. Fast, easy, and doesn't cost much more than filling, but is certainly cheaper than getting a tank recertified.
HappyKayakers
Explorer III
May 23, 2013
Sounds like there was some miscommunication going on. Look at the date on the protective collar of your propane cylinder. I suspect the cylinder is over 12 yrs old and that's why they couldn't refill it. Had nothing to do with the valve.

You can find a local LP dealer to recertify it for another 5 yrs fairly cheap.

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