Expired Propane Tanks

[Fresno_Tundra_D]

So I went to fill up our two 7 gallon propane tanks and the guy points out the date(04 02)stamped into the handle and says after 12 years they are expired. The guy still filled them because he said they appear to be in good shape but said it would be the last time unless I get them recertified. My question to you is if I just want to replace them where do I go? Do some places offer an exchange program for these larger rv tanks like they do for the smaller BBQ tanks? Online I saw Home Depot selling them for about $60. Is that about the going rate? Maybe its cheaper to have them retested but then they are only good for five more years. What do you fellow rvers do?

[DrewE]

2oldman wrote:

Bucky Badger wrote:

There is no WAY IN HECK you will fill a 20 pounder here for under 10 bucks..No way no how. Where do you go to get them refilled for under 10 bucks?

it happened once but I can't recall where.

Yes I may have exaggerated a bit. Let's amend that to 'almost twice the price.' I paid $12 and change today.

It might be pretty close to double, then, since many of the exchange places don't put the full 20 pounds in the tank—typically 17 or even 15 pounds, at least around here.

[rhagfo]

hawkeye-08 wrote:
I've been told that the propane suppliers will re-certify tanks. maybe someone has done this?

I did this once with an old horizonal tank cost is not that much.

[mobeewan]

Locally it has been costing me about 3.85 to 4.00 a gallon to refill. Lately I've been driving about 35 miles round trip to refill for 1.99 a gallon. That's 9.39 for 20 lbs or 14.08 for 30 lbs.

[2oldman]

Bucky Badger wrote:

There is no WAY IN HECK you will fill a 20 pounder here for under 10 bucks..No way no how. Where do you go to get them refilled for under 10 bucks?

it happened once but I can't recall where.

Yes I may have exaggerated a bit. Let's amend that to 'almost twice the price.' I paid $12 and change today.

[C_Schomer]

I go to a welding supplier where I also get a discount.. They exchanged an old 30 for one that has a real float type gauge on it.. I'm going to try to get that lucky when my other tank needs it! Craig

[mlts22]

A few weekends ago, I was seeing 20# propane cylinders, new, at Wally World in Elgin for $20.00... empty, but purged and ready for filling.

Here in Austin, propane refill shops are few and far between, and tend to not bother with you unless you sign a contract of 250+ gallons per year. The U-haul places have propane filling stations... but usually nobody trained in their use is on site. So, for tanks, the closest place are the RV dealers. Propane exchanges I can find 24/7, and the clerk only has to turn a key, open the cage, grab a container with a blue seal on the end, shove the one brought in the cage, and stick the lock back on.

[boostedone]

hawkeye-08 wrote:
I've been told that the propane suppliers will re-certify tanks. maybe someone has done this?

I ran into this last year.. I had the tanks filled in 2013 at Camping World and was warned next year they would be out of date. So when I went to get them refilled last fall, I opted to go to the Ace Hardware which has several teenage kids working there whom I would not figured would have looked. Sure enough, he noticed the dates even though the tanks are perfect and wouldn't fill them. But he did refer me to a propane place in the next town that would "recertify" them.

So I take the tanks to the other place, mention they are out of date and cautiously ask what this recertification will cost me. If the valve is good(it was), its a whopping 5 dollars a tank.

If your tanks are in good shape, don't even fret about it. Just have them recertified. I wasted 5 dollars in diesel trying to avoid it.

[2oldman]

valhalla360 wrote:

2oldman wrote:
I swapped my old 30# tanks for 20# at a Rhino exchange, no problem. The old tanks were becoming too heavy for me.

Actually, if you don't use a lot of propane (say you get a full years use out of a single tank), this is a good option.

Oh I use plenty, so I now carry 3 of the 'little' ones. I can either refill or exchange. I don't understand how those exchange places can stay in business when they charge $20, more than double what it now costs to refill.

[mowermech]

Yes, the 5 year recertification is a visual inspection.
The cylinder is inspected for rust, damage, and an OPD, that's all.

There are companies that can do hydro-static testing of cylinders, but it is cost-prohibitive. It would be cheaper to buy a new cylinder, and the new one will be good for 12 years from date of manufacture!
There are also companies that will inspect and refurbish a lightly rusted cylinder, but again it would be better to buy a new one.

[Me_Again]

ScottG wrote:

Iraqvet05 wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
If they are older and still in perfect shape , they should not be refilling them if they do not have the OPD valve...

Snippet from "propane 101" site -
OPD stands for "overfilling prevention device" or "overfill protection device" and is required on all 4 to 40 pound DOT cylinders in vapor service..

I believe all tanks manufactured after October 1998 are required to have the OPD. The OPs tanks should have the OPD but are now beyond their 12 year date which would mandate a safety inspection and recertification sticker. Inspection info here

That's my situation. My tanks will 12 y/o in July but they have the OPD and are no different than a new tank.
They're rust free and still look like new. Seems like such a waste to toss them.

I went with a friend to town (Mt Vernon) and he stopped at Skagit Farmers Supply to refill a 20 lb tank. Guy said it need to be recert'd. 5 bucks and a sticker! Then he filled it! It's a bit of a scam! He looked at it and said it was fine! Chris

[wandering1]

Take them to someone who knows what they are doing with propane gas like a propane distributor.

[2000_Kiwi]

hawkeye-08 wrote:
I've been told that the propane suppliers will re-certify tanks. maybe someone has done this?

I had mine recertified at no charge. If I filled the tanks at their facility they did not charge but if I were to not refill the tanks it was only $10.



Thomas Gas Company
2772 Armentrout Dr
Concord, NC 28025
(704) 786-5899

[valhalla360]

2oldman wrote:
I swapped my old 30# tanks for 20# at a Rhino exchange, no problem. The old tanks were becoming too heavy for me.

Actually, if you don't use a lot of propane (say you get a full years use out of a single tank), this is a good option.

[2oldman]

I swapped my old 30# tanks for 20# at a Rhino exchange, no problem. The old tanks were becoming too heavy for me.