Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I found a 5lb propane tank for $5.00 at a flea market, and brought it home. I cracked the valve, and it has no pressure in it, and is rusted a bit. Where am I going with this? I am going to assume it was neglected, period. I know it needs purged, and I want it inspected before it goes back into service, and would like to re-paint it. Will this be cost efective, or would I be bettr off throwing $90.00 at new one?

...if it has a round valve handle Vs a triangular one, most refill stations won't refill it...you would have to have it inspected, tested and the valve changed out...I don't know what refurbishment would cost but what ever it cost, you would still have a used (and expensive) tank when done..............
madjack
p.s. I was gonna go with one of the smaller tanks BUT because certification is only good for 5yrs, I opted to use a 20# tank and just take it in for exchange when it's certification expired............mj

dh wrote:I found a 5lb propane tank for $5.00 at a flea market, and brought it home. I cracked the valve, and it has no pressure in it, and is rusted a bit. Where am I going with this? I am going to assume it was neglected, period. I know it needs purged, and I want it inspected before it goes back into service, and would like to re-paint it. Will this be cost efective, or would I be bettr off throwing $90.00 at new one?

Costco has new 5 gallon tanks (20 lb) $29.95 ( just noticed them last week at that price).... Whoever is quoting you $90 is ripping you....

http://www.google.com/search?q=20+pound ... 0+pound+pr

Interesting price comparison....

http://www.gasgrillsnow.com/viewPrd.asp ... &ref=gbase
Vs..
http://www.ruralking.com/20-lb-type-1-p ... 3430303534

It's illegal to refill 5 gallon propane tanks that do not have OPD valve (10 -15-20-50- gallon tanks are not restricted to OPD valve)

New replacement OPD valve for old tanks are around $20 -30 ....

http://www.protanksupply.com/propane-opd-valves.asp

Propane tanks are certified for 12 years after manufacture, and must be inspected and re-certified every 6 years there after..... Check date stamp(s) on tank safety collar...

Dale

That wasn't a typo in the OP, a 5lb tank, not a 5 gallon tank. Find a MANCHESTER 5lb tank new for under $75, and I'll take it.


It doesn't need the valve changed out, and I can handle the re-paint, but how much is an inspection and purge?

The tank is dated 2006, so maybe I can just inspect for intrnal rust while I have the valve off while refurbishing tank.

dh wrote:That wasn't a typo in the OP, a 5lb tank, not a 5 gallon tank. Find a MANCHESTER 5lb tank new for under $75, and I'll take it.


It doesn't need the valve changed out, and I can handle the re-paint, but how much is an inspection and purge?

The tank is dated 2006, so maybe I can just inspect for intrnal rust while I have the valve off while refurbishing tank.

dh,
I have a Manchester 5# bottle that has the old valve. It is in NEW condition, only been filled a couple of times and stored in a clean dry location (no rust) but it's mfg date is 1994 even though I bought it "new" in 2004. Do you know what it will actually cost to get it re certified? I can probably get the new valve and install it myself, but do you know what is involved in re certification? Does it have to be hydro tested? I can do that, but can't certify it. (at least not for a propane tank)

This 5 lb bottle is by far one of the very best camping purchases I have ever made!! It's truly a no brainer....... It's 5) 1# mini bottles at the refill price of buying just one!

Larry C

OK.... Lets do the seller is ripping you off again ( 5 lb size) .....

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CG8Q8wIwAA

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/pr ... /8248.html

Dale

Ok, I did a little deeper research, a reinspection is visual, no dents, dings, or pitted rust, and a soap water leak test, and thats it. The date is stamped next to the manufacture date with an ''E'' for examined. Costs from $15 to $35 (from my online research). Purging costs from $5 to $35 and is either done by filling with vapor and releasing 5 times, or by vacuum. Also, purging is required on new tanks that are not prepurged by the manufacturer.

Looks like I can skip the inspection, make sure it isnt rusted inside and get purged and be good to go. The $90 is for a new tank, purging, first fill, and a 'complimentary' soap test, $75 just for the tanks, which isn't that much more than Dale's prices after shipping. How much pressure can a tank take? I'd like to pressure test the valve myself before I get it filled. I can put 150lbs of air pressure on it at home.

dh wrote:Looks like I can skip the inspection, make sure it isnt rusted inside and get purged and be good to go. The $90 is for a new tank, purging, first fill, and a 'complimentary' soap test, $75 just for the tanks, which isn't that much more than Dale's prices after shipping. How much pressure can a tank take? I'd like to pressure test the valve myself before I get it filled. I can put 150lbs of air pressure on it at home.

I believe the relief valve is set at 350. If that's the case, it probably has a 5 to 1 safety factor. Burst would be above 1750. However, I may be totally wrong on this.

Larry C

I think I worded my question incorrectly. How much pressuer will it take to properly pressure test the valve? Oh, before somebody brings it up, I'd use the paint gun tap, after the filter/regulator, and before the oiler. I also use different fittings and hoses for the paint gun, so the 'paint gun' air lines never get oil in them.

Larry C wrote:

dh wrote:Looks like I can skip the inspection, make sure it isnt rusted inside and get purged and be good to go. The $90 is for a new tank, purging, first fill, and a 'complimentary' soap test, $75 just for the tanks, which isn't that much more than Dale's prices after shipping. How much pressure can a tank take? I'd like to pressure test the valve myself before I get it filled. I can put 150lbs of air pressure on it at home.

I believe the relief valve is set at 350. If that's the case, it probably has a 5 to 1 safety factor. Burst would be above 1750. However, I may be totally wrong on this.

Larry C

I had a propane tech at local place where they test and refit tanks tell me 260psi..

Oh well...

Dale M. wrote:

Larry C wrote:

dh wrote:Looks like I can skip the inspection, make sure it isnt rusted inside and get purged and be good to go. The $90 is for a new tank, purging, first fill, and a 'complimentary' soap test, $75 just for the tanks, which isn't that much more than Dale's prices after shipping. How much pressure can a tank take? I'd like to pressure test the valve myself before I get it filled. I can put 150lbs of air pressure on it at home.

I believe the relief valve is set at 350. If that's the case, it probably has a 5 to 1 safety factor. Burst would be above 1750. However, I may be totally wrong on this.

Larry C

I had a propane tech at local place where they test and refit tanks tell me 260psi..

Oh well...

150 psi might not be up to spec, but still better than nothing before getting it filled.

Dale M. wrote:

Larry C wrote:

dh wrote:Looks like I can skip the inspection, make sure it isnt rusted inside and get purged and be good to go. The $90 is for a new tank, purging, first fill, and a 'complimentary' soap test, $75 just for the tanks, which isn't that much more than Dale's prices after shipping. How much pressure can a tank take? I'd like to pressure test the valve myself before I get it filled. I can put 150lbs of air pressure on it at home.

I believe the relief valve is set at 350. If that's the case, it probably has a 5 to 1 safety factor. Burst would be above 1750. However, I may be totally wrong on this.

Larry C

I had a propane tech at local place where they test and refit tanks tell me 260psi..

Oh well...

I said I might be totally wrong
Actually the tank rated pressure is stamped right on each bottle. My 5# bottle is 260, as you said, but I have and old (40 years) 20# bottle that is marked 350. I think originally they were all 350. I was told that several times over the years. My old old bottle is much heavier (empty) than the new ones (thicker).

Larry C

I've read about this while researching the recertification process. As steel prices went up, tank wall thickness went down, as did the pressure rating.


Larry, when you hydro test a hose, how much pressure do you put on it?

dh wrote:I've read about this while researching the recertification process. As steel prices went up, tank wall thickness went down, as did the pressure rating.


Larry, when you hydro test a hose, how much pressure do you put on it?

dh,
The hoses I work with are High Pressure which have a MWP (max working press) of 350 PSI for LPG (1 PSI for nat gas). The layline on the hose will show the MWP.

Some guidelines recommend a new hose assy. be tested at 2 times the WP (working pressure). In this case, 350PSI WP= 700PSI test pressure (proof pressure). Used hose at 1.5 times WP. For safety I do all testing in a 1/4" welded steel containment box!!

Hydrostatic testing should only be preformed by trained personnel. Also hydro testing is just a spot check to confirm the assembly meets specifications at the time of the test. However, many conditions affect the performance of a hose when it's put into service. Age, operating environment, etc. all affect the longevity of any hose. Periodic re-testing or replacement is strongly recommended.

BTW/ I wouldn't recommend using high pressure air to test your "old" bottle.

L