On board propane tank

[philandmargo]

I have a 2000 Tiffin Zephyr. It has a 47.7 gallon (thats whats on the tank) propane tank. I had it filled yesterday but the technician at the Flying J said that because of its age that the tank needs to be recertified. They almost didn't fill the tank. They had to go to the manager to get permission. I've owned the rig going on 4 years now and have never had a problem with the tank or getting it filled. Does my tank need to be recertified and if so, where do I go to get this done? Any info and advice is greatly apprectiated. Phil

[SoakedKarma]

ASME Single Certification Mark Has ChangedThe old stamps (U, S, N, etc.) may be used until January 1, 2013.

Look for the "U" on Manufacturers Nameplate of tanks as seen here; Necessary Nameplate Markings

[cbr46]

I've been down this road, except my tank was rusted pretty bad. It was right behind the front wheel and my coach had been subjected to road salt out of IN for 9 years. I ended up replacing it as I'm not a very good painter and couldn't afford the downtime for someone else to do it. $500 for the tank, and 95% of RV tanks are made by Mansel Tank in IN.

Here's the smoking gun:
www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/smalllpgas-chapt3.pdf
It describes ASME tank construction perfectly for what we have in our Class A's. It indicates no re-inspection according to this document. It doesn't have an official US DOT or PHMSA seal/logo/whatever but that's good enough for me. I got it by doing a search for 'propane' at US DOT Pipeline, Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration's website:
http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/sp-a/approvals/cylinders

Here's the link on portable cylinders:
www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/Hazmat/requal_propane_cylinders.pdf

I have both copies printed and in my coach's briefcase. Letting your Flyin' J operator read something "official" will get you some LP with less hassle.

Best,
- bob

[egh33]

philandmargo wrote:
I have a 2000 Tiffin Zephyr. It has a 47.7 gallon (thats whats on the tank) propane tank. I had it filled yesterday but the technician at the Flying J said that because of its age that the tank needs to be recertified. They almost didn't fill the tank. They had to go to the manager to get permission. I've owned the rig going on 4 years now and have never had a problem with the tank or getting it filled. Does my tank need to be recertified and if so, where do I go to get this done? Any info and advice is greatly apprectiated. Phil

Hey, go to Kelly Propane on East Scott. I bet they can either fill it or tell you what you need. And tell you where to take care of it. I have been using them for years.

[mlts22]

There is a lot of BS out there. One place told me that I had to be DOT certified just to own or drive a vehicle with a propane tank. The real translation is that the clerk is more interested in his/her round of Angry Birds on their smartphone than actually going out there and reaching for the fill nozzle.

[Daveinet]

Don't know if I would use that letter at Flying J, as they are the ones requiring an inspection, which has nothing to do with re-certification. If you know your tank is in good shape, the second part of that letter would just throw fuel on the fire.

[Coyote74]

That's there discretion! to fill or not fill. But they should be trained in there service field or do not dispense the product. Flying J hires gas jockeys and they cover the propane fill too. There is a letter on ASME propane tanks if you search for it. there was also a article in FMCA a few years back. Get a copy and carry it and inform them politely.I believe it was in GS magazine too.



Propane Inspection:


http://tedjohnsonpropane.com/frequently-asked-questions-about-propane/#item_283

by Frank (Nanaimo B.C.)



Question: Do I need a propane inspection in order to sell my RV privately?

Answer: First, there is a differences between a DOT propane cylinder and an ASME horizontally mounted propane tank.

The DOT cylinder is removable and is subject to recertification 12 years after the manufactured date. DOT cylinders are portable and removable from the RV. When empty, you take them to a refilling station. DOT cylinders are found in travel trailers, 5th wheels, and backyard gas grills. With a DOT cylinder, you have the choice to recertify it (if you can find a recertification facility, which are not easy to find), or just replace it before the expiration date.

ASME tanks on the other hand, are permanently mounted horizontal tanks found in most motorhomes. To refill them you must take the motorhome to a propane filling station. The ASME tanks do not require recertification. They should still be inspected periodically for rust and dents. Eventually they may need to be replaced.

The general recommendation is that once a year you should have the entire propane system inspected for leaks, rust, and proper regulator pressure settings. The inspection should include all propane-powered appliances like a stove, refrigerator, furnace, hot water heater, and propane powered generator, etc. .

In selling your RV, we aren’t aware of any official requirement to have an inspection aside from what is stated above. In our view, both buyers and sellers should take steps to ensure that the propane system is in good condition and operating safely. In unsure, then call in a qualified professional to do an inspection, and definitely look at the expiration date on DOT tanks.

[mpierce]

Does the tank look bad? Maybe scraping and repainting the tank, so it looks good, will help?

What if a customer comes in with a really bad looking tank? And, the station does not feel that it should be filled, that it might be bad? Should they have to fill ANY tank, no matter how bad it is?

[Mike___Fran]

Go somewhere else and get it filled!!! A bunch of bull....

[Old-Biscuit]

dougrainer wrote:

philandmargo wrote:
Many thanks. Yes it is frame mounted. It's not a portable tank. Phil

Report the LP station to the Texas Railroad Commission. They should NOT be certified to fill and service if they have ignorance on ASME tank issues and age requirements. Doug

Wish a could put a HUGE X2 on this statement.

This Flying J needs to have it's propane facility removed.
And lots of other Flying J's....they are idiots!

[J-Rooster]

philandmargo wrote:
I have a 2000 Tiffin Zephyr. It has a 47.7 gallon (thats whats on the tank) propane tank. I had it filled yesterday but the technician at the Flying J said that because of its age that the tank needs to be recertified. They almost didn't fill the tank. They had to go to the manager to get permission. I've owned the rig going on 4 years now and have never had a problem with the tank or getting it filled. Does my tank need to be recertified and if so, where do I go to get this done? Any info and advice is greatly apprectiated. Phil

I went to my local propane dealer and asked them about propane tanks on RV's. If your propane tank on your coach is a stationary tank, installed by the factory it doesn't need recertification. I recommend that you fill your tank elsewhere if possible.

[dougrainer]

One of the questions ask was "What happens if you get the proper mix of Propane and air and there is a spark".. I chimed in (Since it was a review session) "You land two counties over".. After the laughter died, the instructor gave me some pleasure by saying "Exactly" then giving the proper answer "An explosion".


Exactly. At one of our state mandatory 8 hour LP safety training, the instructor asked what you do if you enter a dwelling saturated with LP/Natural gas. The correct answer is to leave and call the fire dept. Trying to open windows and open doors will allow the NON Combustable over saturated LP in the house to get to the correct combustable LP/Air mixture and the slightest spark from ANYTHING (ceiling fan motor/AC fan motor, even a wall switch) will ignite the LP and indeed blow up the house. Same holds true for an RV if completely saturated. 100% LP in a closed area will NOT ignite. Getting it to a safe level is a job for the Fire Dept. Doug

[wa8yxm]

I often hear stories of folks who are told they need to get their mounted tanks re-certified.

There are 3 things you need to know.

Portable tanks such as those on a trailer or used for a grill, NEED to be re-certified (DOT rules) every so often, the time between re-certs is dependent on the age of the tank so I do not worry about it and trust the pump jockey on those.

MOUNTED ASME tanks, such as those used on motor homes... Do not need to be recertified.. UNLESS....


If the tank, or valve or inlet or outlet is in such bad condition that the pump jockey is concerned.. He may to refuse to refill it till the tank is inspected by a certified inspector... Example, if the valve leaks. If there are cracks or discoloration of the brass (One of the chemicals used in Meth production (illegal) reacts with brass and discolors (And weakens) it) or other conditions or damage to the tank are bad enough to cause concern.

But if they say "It needs to be re-certified due to age".. that only applies to removable tanks you can take to the re-fill without an RV attached.

Pump jockeys are supposed to be certified.. At least in two states (SC and MI) I once listened to a test correction and review session for said jockies in mi.

This info comes from that session.

One of the questions ask was "What happens if you get the proper mix of Propane and air and there is a spark".. I chimed in (Since it was a review session) "You land two counties over".. After the laughter died, the instructor gave me some pleasure by saying "Exactly" then giving the proper answer "An explosion".

[Gau_8]

Doesn't surprise me. I once had one of these "experts" stop filling my tank because the gauge said full. The vent was open and was not purging gas. I tried explaining to him that the gauge is notoriously inaccurate. He stated that it was illegal for him to continue. His supervisor was also clueless.

Now I put tape over the gauge and label it inop.

[philandmargo]

Thanks for all the great advice. Phil