Whatever happened to fiberglass LP tanks ?

[theoldwizard1]

I never see them advertised any more. Have they been outlawed ?

I really like the idea of being able to see the liquid fuel level.

[rhagfo]

:h

I just have a hard time getting head around the need to know the level in your tanks. I understand if you only have a single tank, then there is a need, but those with two tanks what does it matter???
99% have auto switch over regulators, start with two full tanks, both open. Once the current primary tank, is empty the regulator with show red in some way. Flip the lever to the new tank, and fill the empty one.
I have far more important things to worry about.

Time to refill!!

[bgum]

We owned two of the banned fiberglass cylinders. The company was put out of business by the government as they had no quality control testing as required by law and when tested had a high failure rate. Anyone who had one lost their money because they can't be refilled and the company filed bankruptcy.

[mowermech]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Seeing is believing. Weight tells the same story. Automatic regulator also will indicate empty cylinder.

Weight is the best way to tell This is the best that I have found to tell how much is in the Cylinder.

Actually, IMO, there is a better level indicating system. It consists of a special OPD float, and a magnetic gauge that snaps on the valve. The gauge is magnetically connected to the float, and indicates the level of liquid in the cylinder. I have it on one of my 20 pound cylinders now, and I will get it put on the other one when I have it re-certified and filled.

[ktmrfs]

one major brand has been discontinued after they were forced to recall all of them due to major failures. My local propane dealer has signs in the office about the recall stating it is illegal to even refill that specific cylinder.

Others are their and reliable but spendy.

[Crabbypatty]

They are advertised in Trailer Life and they are costly as they aren't main stream. So it costs more to make. I was wondering what the weight savings would be as I have two 30# on my tongue which would be my only motivation. As I have twin tanks, lp level is simple, when one tank runs dry, switch to the full one, then fill up the empty. I know that this method doesn't work for MoHo's B's & C's, but they do make guages for that.

[SoundGuy]

I too was once interested in fiber tanks but passed due to the cost. With two steel tanks on the tongue I just run one 'til it's dry then manually switch to the second and next time it's convenient have the empty tank filled. In other words, I really don't care what may be in the tanks at any given time and have yet to ever run out. 😉

[MitchF150]

Just pour some hot water on a metal one and it'll show you it's level.

Mitch

[IAMICHABOD]

time2roll wrote:
Seeing is believing. Weight tells the same story. Automatic regulator also will indicate empty cylinder.

Weight is the best way to tell This is the best that I have found to tell how much is in the Cylinder.

[time2roll]

Seeing is believing. Weight tells the same story. Automatic regulator also will indicate empty cylinder.

[Dutch_12078]

They're still around, but I suspect the high price has kept them from wide acceptance. West Marine for instance gets $170 for a 17 lb Trident Marine composite cylinder while Home Depot gets just $30 for a Bernzomatic branded Worthington 20 lb steel cylinder. That's a heck of premium to pay for being able to see the liquid level. Lite Cylinder Company was at one time the largest manufacture of composite cylinders sold under various brands, but design defects resulted in a massive recall in 2013 that left the company insolvent. I think Trident Rubber is currently the largest, if not the only, US manufacturer of composite cylinders. Note that composite LPG cylinders have a 5 year recertification requirement from date of manufacture, not the 10-12 year requirement for standard cylinders.

[fj12ryder]

The old ones that came out several years ago have been pulled from the market, but there are other ones out there, but a bit pricey.

[rhagfo]

ScottG wrote:
They're out there but they're $$$

X2
Link

[ScottG]

They're out there but they're $$$