Propane Tank Safety Valve Question

[aarond76]

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?

[aarond76]

So an update. I got home last night and looked at the tank. It does have the 3 point OPD valve on the tank along with a sticker that states so. The collar is also stamped 4499 so I'm guessing manufactured 44th week of 1999. Took it to a different propane place this morning and they filled it no questions asked.

[TubaPete]

This made me curious so I did a little research. According to one document I found, with certain exceptions, it has not been permissible to refill a cylinder under 40 lb. without an OPD since April 2002. My own personal experience is close to this.

[Adam-12]

I say, if your propane tank is out of date, just sell it to me for scrap steel. I make portable wood stoves and mini-grills out of them in my fab shop. 😉 😉 😉

A new propane tank isn't that expensive if you buy it online. Forget buying one at camping world.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

I had to put OPD valves on mine. I believe it was 25 bucks a tank with new valve and recert.

I had one tank recerted for my MH and the kid that did it could not figure out the date. An old man that owned the business came out and said that's a 1934 tank son and that's a goodin; see how thick that there metal is.

LOL, still using it to this day with the original 1934 valve. :E

[Gdetrailer]

Majja13 wrote:
I took one of my 20# in to be filled at my local ace and it had just gone out of date. They just exchanged it for the new one for like 21.00. And that was with gas. So it is far better imho to exchage them than deal with a re cert.

ACE or most any any other "tank exchange" outlets DO NOT exchange cylinders LARGER than 20 lbs as in the case of the OPs situation.

The OP has a 30lb cylinder which will need to have the current non OPD valve replace and the tank recertified (which will be expensive). This will cost nearly the same as just buying a new cylinder.

Most likely the dealer had some older tanks laying around and and filled them them selves and tossed them on the trailers they sold. Getting the dealer to replace it will be a battle (you would have to prove that you didn't change the tanks). Just could be ugly to say the least and cause hard feelings down the road which will bite you.

Personally rather than battle a losing battle I would just simply buy new tanks then place the non OPD tanks on Craigslist for a few bucks. Anyone who uses propane for cutting and welding steel can get those tanks refilled (torches use more propane than the OPD valve can deliver).

[Majja13]

I took one of my 20# in to be filled at my local ace and it had just gone out of date. They just exchanged it for the new one for like 21.00. And that was with gas. So it is far better imho to exchage them than deal with a re cert.

[wrvond]

HappyKayakers wrote:

aarond76 wrote:
I have the 30 lb cylinders. My problem is that the RV dealer fille them when he sold me the camper. They were more than 12 years old at that time.

Of course they did. They were more concerned with a sale than your safety.

I believe that most (if not all) campers are delivered without propane tanks which are installed by the dealer.
In your position, I would approach the dealer with the attitude that old tanks were inadvertently installed, instead of new ones at time of purchase. I'm sure, given the opportunity, the dealer will take the opportunity to fix the problem.

[HappyKayakers]

aarond76 wrote:
I have the 30 lb cylinders. My problem is that the RV dealer fille them when he sold me the camper. They were more than 12 years old at that time.

Of course they did. They were more concerned with a sale than your safety.

[aarond76]

I have the 30 lb cylinders. My problem is that the RV dealer fille them when he sold me the camper. They were more than 12 years old at that time.

[HappyKayakers]

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

[skipnchar]

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]

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]

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]

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.