Propane Tanks: Gas Valves Question?

[Lexicon7]

Hi Guys, I picked up an older 1995 Lance Squire 4000 in pretty good shape but one of the tanks is not so hot. The guys here in SD will not fill this tank because they tell me the valve body is old and the wrong config. Today, I went by Uhaul and checked with them hoping to fill both tanks and they would not fill either because of that valve. In their words.. the tanks are "tethered" together. He recommended I replace both tanks so that they are both up to date.. I'm not made of $$$ so thinking of just picking up a new Amerigas tank at Home D.
Any comments or suggestions appreciated.

[opnspaces]

Well that throws a huge wrench in the suggestions. But if anybody else needs new 30lb vertical bottles here's a picture of them at Costco, yes the same Poway store that Golden_HVAC mentioned.

[Lexicon7]

The tanks are horizontal. Forgot to include that...

[Reality_Check]

So the question was asked already, but I don't see an answer. Horizontal or vertical tanks? It's important to be able to correctly reply. You might have some misinformed folks giving you info at the stations.

[Golden_HVAC]

Blue Rhino might not be such a great idea, if they become more expensive to refill.

Check out the Costco tanks, and see if they will fit. The Poway Costco even has a refill station at their store, over by the tire shop. It is about 5 miles east of I 15 on Scrips Poway Road, next to the Home Depot.

Fred.

[Lexicon7]

Thanks for the responses. All good stuff. The Blue Rhino idea sounds great since I am not rich and they are everywhere around here.
Thanks to Alfred I think it was for sharing this..
I wouldn't mind having both new tanks so I'll check them out..

[Super_Dave]

It isn't always about the valve either. I've been turned down with a current valve but the tank had an old date stamp on it.

[opnspaces]

As you found out your new tanks need the new overfill protection device. These tanks are identified by a three lobed handle on the valve.

The Blue Rhino method works if you don't mind the tank only partially filled. But in reality you'll only lose at most $4 for the under fill.

Blue Rhino only works for the 20lb tank. If you need the taller 30 lb tank I've seen them at Costco for $40 which seems like a good deal.

Costco also has a 20lb tank with an actual float gauge for about $30 but you have to pay to fill it after that.

[Super_Dave]

Take your tanks out of the camper and carry them, one in each hand to the refill tank. I believe the premium to trade in an old tank versus a refill is about $6 - $8.

[Alfred622]

This suggestion will be controversial....

Take your two old tanks to a Blue Rhino (or equivalent) dispenser. They will accept your old tank on trade. You'll get a reconditioned new-style tank filled with Propane for about $20. The gimmick is that Blue Rhino only fills tanks about 75%. Still, this is a pretty inexpensive way to trade your non-compliant tanks in on two reconditioned tanks. You can then get the Blue Rhino tanks filled in the future or just swap them out for pre-filled tanks.

I did this with an old style tank a year ago at a Walgreen's. I told the manager this was an old style valve and she said it didn't make any difference to Blue Rhino, they just replace it with a new valve. They did want the tank itself to be in fairly good condition though.

Hope this helps!

[thetroutman4]

Are they horizontal or vertical tanks?