craig333
Riley's Human
Saw another article today. Seems the new rules are on hold while the gas association challenges the changes. Standby.
propane tank certification
- Thread starter Bigfoot
- Start date
Old Crow
Searching....
Thanks for posting, Mike.flinchlock said:AmeriGas (Kalamazoo, MI) recertified my FULL 20# tank for $5.
Only took about 5 minutes, that includes getting out of my truck, going inside to ask, back in the truck to a back building, gave tank to guy, me look around at the old giant propane tanks, guy gave me back the tank, back in the truck, drive back to the front building, paying $5, back in the truck.
Mike
Your post prompted me to make another call to the Suburban Propane location here in PA where I was previously told (on two different occasions) the tank would have to be purged. I told the office person I had seen a post saying a purge hadn't been done on someone else's tank in another state and asked if she could ask the re-certifications tech why the purge is done at their location, i.e., what does the tech do that requires a purge. She returned with (today's) answer-- a purge is only needed to fill a new tank, not for a re-certification.
She also said the re-certification is an external visual inspection plus their tech uses a soapy solution to check the valve and gauge for leaks.
flinchlock
Senior Member
I forgot to mention that "my guy" also said it was just a visual inspection.Old Crow said:
Mike
K6ON
Old & Soft
My camper is 21 years old as is the propane tank. The tank has been "inspected" and tagged twice, the last time,10 days ago. The
"inspection" consisted of checking the tank for surface rust and a little soapy water on the valve. $5.00 later it has a new tag and is good to go.
"inspection" consisted of checking the tank for surface rust and a little soapy water on the valve. $5.00 later it has a new tag and is good to go.
OSUFlyer
Advanced Member
Active Enterprises, Long Beach Wa. $5 or $10?
Similar as above, quickly inspected, recertified and attached a tag on my horizontal propane tank before filling it.
Similar as above, quickly inspected, recertified and attached a tag on my horizontal propane tank before filling it.
Two years later, it's still true.Bigfoot said:
I just got my 2005 vintage, original equipment horizontal propane tank recertified/requalified today at Ferrellgas . The guy did a leak test -- with soapy/detergent liquid. He also did a visual inspection. It was the inspection that raised a question. There was a significant rust spot on the side...but he still passed it. He advised me to sand out the rust and repaint it, which I'll do.
Now all set for 5 years.
ckent323
Senior Member
I had a tank recertified in August in California. Similar to K6ON experience: The "inspection" consisted of checking the tank for surface rust and a little soapy water on the valve. $5.00 later it has a new tag and is good to go.
Old Crow
Searching....
The recent posts in this thread reminded me to get my Hawk's Manchester horizontal 20-pounder re-certified and filled for a trip coming up this weekend.
I had looked into it some time ago and called several big-name propane suppliers in my area. They told me I had to take it to a propane dealer almost an hour away and had to leave it as they don't do walk-in services. But this time I called my local Ace Hardware (knowing they can't do re-certifications) and asked where they refer people who need a re-certification. It turns out there's a fuel-oil dealer nearby who also has a propane fill station in the back and the certified techs who can do what I need --- and it's only five minutes from my house.
When I called, the office lady told me she'd check for a tech when I arrived and if there's one available it could be done while I waited. If not, I'd have to leave the tank. The Ace guy had warned me I'd also have to have a fill done there but I wanted to have a full tank for this trip anyway so that wasn't an issue for me.
There was indeed a tech available when I walked in and he did the re-certification and fill right away. He did a visual check but did not check the valve with soapy solution.
My bill for the re-certification and fill was $15. A fill at the local Ace is $12.
Tare weight of my tank is 21.0 pounds (according to the stamped-in markings on the tank collar). After the fill the tank weighed 39 pounds, so that's 18 pounds of propane, not the expected 20 pounds. I spoke to the tech about that and he said my tank's OPD (overfill protection device) cut off the fill a bit early. (I had noticed him react with an "OK, then" type of reaction toward the end of the fill and didn't quite understand why at the time so I think that's indeed the case).
.
I had looked into it some time ago and called several big-name propane suppliers in my area. They told me I had to take it to a propane dealer almost an hour away and had to leave it as they don't do walk-in services. But this time I called my local Ace Hardware (knowing they can't do re-certifications) and asked where they refer people who need a re-certification. It turns out there's a fuel-oil dealer nearby who also has a propane fill station in the back and the certified techs who can do what I need --- and it's only five minutes from my house.
When I called, the office lady told me she'd check for a tech when I arrived and if there's one available it could be done while I waited. If not, I'd have to leave the tank. The Ace guy had warned me I'd also have to have a fill done there but I wanted to have a full tank for this trip anyway so that wasn't an issue for me.
There was indeed a tech available when I walked in and he did the re-certification and fill right away. He did a visual check but did not check the valve with soapy solution.
My bill for the re-certification and fill was $15. A fill at the local Ace is $12.
Tare weight of my tank is 21.0 pounds (according to the stamped-in markings on the tank collar). After the fill the tank weighed 39 pounds, so that's 18 pounds of propane, not the expected 20 pounds. I spoke to the tech about that and he said my tank's OPD (overfill protection device) cut off the fill a bit early. (I had noticed him react with an "OK, then" type of reaction toward the end of the fill and didn't quite understand why at the time so I think that's indeed the case).
.
PJorgen
Senior Member
Propane tanks are supposed to be filled to only 80% of capacity. Here's something from Amerigas on that topic:
https://www.amerigas.com/amerigas-blog/2013/november/propane-tanks-and-the-80-percent-fill-rule
We have a 500 gal tank for our home and the delivery guy is adamant about only filling it to 400 gal. In fact, the gauge has a big red mark at 80%.
Not all propane dealers know or follow this rule. One time I had the tanks on my FWC filled early one cool morning in Tonopah. Stopped later that warm afternoon to set up camp. Went around to the back of the FWC and could smell propane very strongly! The overpressure valve was hissing away propane. Obviously that dealer didn't follow the 80% rule.
https://www.amerigas.com/amerigas-blog/2013/november/propane-tanks-and-the-80-percent-fill-rule
We have a 500 gal tank for our home and the delivery guy is adamant about only filling it to 400 gal. In fact, the gauge has a big red mark at 80%.
Not all propane dealers know or follow this rule. One time I had the tanks on my FWC filled early one cool morning in Tonopah. Stopped later that warm afternoon to set up camp. Went around to the back of the FWC and could smell propane very strongly! The overpressure valve was hissing away propane. Obviously that dealer didn't follow the 80% rule.
larryqp
Senior Member
You are correct on the 80% rule, your OPD should shut down the fill at 80%, so if its not doing its job, it may be time to replace the OPD.
Similar threads - WTW
- Raderguy85
- Gear Exchange
- Replies: 7
- Views: 266
- Bosque Bill
- Truck Campers
- Replies: 5
- Views: 706
