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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / November 2005Used propane tanks (DOT rated for vehicle)
What are the requirements for having propane tanks inspected and certified? Should you attempt to clean them internally yourself or send them to a pro for cleaning as well as any needed hydro-test or sonic inspection? I've got a chance to get s 40 gallon that would be about perfect for a project but it is a little rusty and dates from 1979. I was planning on sanding, priming and painting it but if a company hot-tanks them it would be better for them to do this first. Do they slosh them, and if so, how? > What are the requirements for having propane tanks inspected and > certified? Should you attempt to clean them internally yourself or send [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Do they slosh them, and if so, how? If it was me if the tank has had propane in it since 1979 I would simply get it plastic beaded and prime and paint it. If it has been open to atmosphere at atmospheric pressure, I would walk away from it. I also cannot imagine anyone reputable would hot tank the inside of a pressure vessel, at least, not one that you couldn't get into. Hot tanking is for rust removal and if there's rust on the inside then the metal has been weakened, and there is no way to get at it to repair it. If it's rusted on the outside and the section that is rusted is rusted enough to weaken it, you can at least then weld it up once you clean it. Ted Don't EVER attempt to weld up a "weak looking " spot on a propane tank or any other high pressure vessel . I've been witness to this foolishness twice and the consequences were devastating. Get it pressure tested and recertified if at all possible . Give your local gas company a call . Will I do not believe you can get an old tank recertified, especially not one that old.... I would phone around before bothering with it. Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view! Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2120343242 (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page) > What are the requirements for having propane tanks inspected and > certified? Should you attempt to clean them internally yourself or send [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Do they slosh them, and if so, how? > I do not believe you can get an old tank recertified, especially not one > that old.... > > I would phone around before bothering with it. When the Great American Race came through town there was a contestant car that had a 1949 tank and all prewar propane engine equipment-a huge brass vaporizer and mixer that looked like they were out of the Willy Wonka chocolate factory. Ran great too. > > I do not believe you can get an old tank recertified, especially not one > > that old.... [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > brass vaporizer and mixer that looked like they were out of the Willy > Wonka chocolate factory. Ran great too. Was the 1949 tank filled with propane? Are you sure that another, certified tank wasn't hidden and used? <<snip>> > Was the 1949 tank filled with propane? Are you sure that another, certified > tank wasn't hidden and used? It would be a violation of the GAR rules and I'm sure tech would have caught it. Besides, there wasn't room for any other tank of any size on that vehicle. > <<snip>> > > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > caught it. Besides, there wasn't room for any other tank of any size on > that vehicle. Using a tank made in 1949 would violate DOT rules, and possibly state and local rules. Does the GAR allow that? <<snip>> > > It would be a violation of the GAR rules and I'm sure tech would have > > caught it. Besides, there wasn't room for any other tank of any size on [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > local rules. > Does the GAR allow that? Are you sure it's necessarily illegal??? A linnk to the appropriate regulation would be nice. I will first state that I don't have any experience with vehicle propane tanks. However, I have recently gone through the recertification process on an Aluminum portable tank. The primary concern was the upgrade to the new OPD valve, required by DOT. (this valve is required on almost all propane tanks and refillers aren't allowed to refill unless this valve is installed or an exemption decal is installed.) It's really not as complicated as you might think. If your tank required the new valve, the servicing dealer will locate the correct valve, install and recertify your tank. If your tank is exempt because of it's shape/type, they will inspect, certify and provide an exemption decal. I recommend, before you invest much time and money, take the tank to a bulk propane service (outfit that fills home tanks, etc.) and ask them if they can recertify the tank. Then ask them if you should do anything yourself. I suspect the will want to look at the interior prior to any DIY efforts. Once they recertify the tank (with or without the OPD valve) the tank is good for another 10 years.  SignatureMy experience and opinion, FWIW Steve > What are the requirements for having propane tanks inspected and > certified? Should you attempt to clean them internally yourself or send [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Do they slosh them, and if so, how? > I will first state that I don't have any experience with vehicle propane > tanks. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > and refillers aren't allowed to refill unless this valve is installed or an > exemption decal is installed.) OPD is Overfill Protection Device. This pertains to portable tanks and not DOT vehicle mounted tanks, I believe. > OPD is Overfill Protection Device. This pertains to portable tanks and > not DOT vehicle mounted tanks, I believe. Yes, your are correct. However, all propane or compressed gas tanks come under DOT regulations. Even the little propane torch tanks. DOT mandated the OPD valve requirement and deadline 2.5 years ago and have provided exemptions for most permanently installed tanks (motorhomes) and may in fact have included the vehicle tanks. The OPD valve also changed to a different valve thread so that the Filling Dealers couldn't fill those with the old valve still installed. The new tank valves have an external thread that is something like an Acme thread. While the valve also retain the old internal left hand threads, this was only a compromise for the transition to the new valves. Most filling dealers still have both but this will eventually be changed. My point, many, most propane vehicles fill at the same filling stations as those with portable tanks and eventually will have to display the exemption decal or these "Clerks" won't fill these tanks.. I have an exempt tank permanently installed in my motor home. My Filling Dealer, has provided me a with a special decal for this tanks so I won't have trouble at other filling stations. SignatureMy experience and opinion, FWIW Steve Here's your question about propane tanks. Go look up the regs yourself. The GAR is no justification for using a tank out of date. > What are the requirements for having propane tanks inspected and > certified? Should you attempt to clean them internally yourself or send [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Do they slosh them, and if so, how? |
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