Leaky Propane Tanks

[SDMF]

Both of the 30# propane tanks from my camper were unable to be filled last weekend. So, I bought 2 new 30's.

Question is, what to do with the old empty tanks that leak?

Let's just assume I won't be the guy hauling them to the rifle range, or anywhere else to shoot them.

They either are of use to someone or they're going to sit on the curb during clean-up week next spring.

 

[westwolfone]

They make good portable air tanks.

 

[Fly Carpin]

Do you have plumbing out in the garage?

 

[shorthairsrus]

they wont take them on the curb. I took my old ones over the ferrell --- they told me they re-certify for a fee and then a 10 fill, 10 fill on ones that were not outdated (summer special) - plus a punch card you get a free one filled after 5 -- cant beat that deal. I dont remember what the certify fee was. I want to say for them to take a tank that wont work was 10bucks maybe 15. I believe petro serve will fix the tank and put a new valve on it - not sure what cost is. I tried taking off a valve in the past - forget it -- they will take curbside if you have the valve off.

Where is it leaking - valve? Do you shut them off weekly?

sdmf: Are you done up north yet --- damn another year -- i just feel like i make it up enough not enough hours in the weekend --our normal wknd --- fish all day saturday ---- clean fish grab a beer ( 12) cook and then to "tired" and nobody to drive (empty nest) over to see ya.

 

[SDMF]

Where is it leaking - valve? Do you shut them off weekly?

sdmf: Are you done up north yet --- damn another year -- i just feel like i make it up enough not enough hours in the weekend --our normal wknd --- fish all day saturday ---- clean fish grab a beer ( 12) cook and then to "tired" and nobody to drive (empty nest) over to see ya.

I'm assuming it's the valve, they tightened up the filling nozzle, hit the switch and had gas spurting out past the threads.

I don't turn them off weekly. I turn them off @ end of season.

I'll shut down and winterize next Fri/Sat.

The re-cert might be a good idea then just use them for the gas grill.

 

[Ericb]

Sounds more like operator error than bad tanks to me. Id have them checked somewhere else. What are the odds both would fail at the same time. Had a guy tell me I ruined the valves on my tanks because i left them open then my bodys had the same problem turned out there was some switch for a differnt kind of filling that he forgot to change.

 

[SDMF]

Sounds more like operator error than bad tanks to me. Id have them checked somewhere else. What are the odds both would fail at the same time. Had a guy tell me I ruined the valves on my tanks because i left them open then my bodys had the same problem turned out there was some switch for a differnt kind of filling that he forgot to change.

I would agree, except I watched that same operator fill 4 other tanks with 0 issues. I've also been told several times over the last 3-4yrs that they weren't supposed to be filling them because they were outdated, so, getting new tanks didn't bother me.

The question is, what to do with the old ones and I'm thinking a re-cert and they can live their life on the deck @ home fueling the fires of my amateur chefery.

 

[guywhofishes]

If you leave the valve open then oxygen gets in (no longer under positive propane pressure). If they then fill it with oxygen inside - you have a bomb. Pure propane can't explode.

So they have some procedure where they partially fill/purge, partially fill/purge a number of times and the physics of this cycling dictates that not enough oxygen could possibly remain to ignite the tank internally.

At least that's what I told myself when I witnessed it one time.

 

[Vollmers]

A 30lber on your gas grill should make it a weekend?

I'm assuming it's the valve, they tightened up the filling nozzle, hit the switch and had gas spurting out past the threads.

I don't turn them off weekly. I turn them off @ end of season.

I'll shut down and winterize next Fri/Sat.

The re-cert might be a good idea then just use them for the gas grill.

 

[Retired Educator]

New one for me. Have never had a valve leak on a propane tank nor have I ever had anyone refuse to fill because of an out of date sticker. Have had valves replaced to allow for the new style (new about 15 or more years ago) connectors. Actually prefer the new style as they allow for hand connecting instead of needing a wrench. Don't use any particular way of turning off and on, just whatever is convenient. On my wheeled fish house generally turn them off if I'm not going to be using it for awhile as the pilot light burns propane when I'm not there. For the grill I turn it off when it runs out and I have to change the tank.

Learn something every day if you pay attention.

 

[Rowdie]

Find the leak and weld them shut.

 

[Retired-Guy]

New one for me. Have never had a valve leak on a propane tank nor have I ever had anyone refuse to fill because of an out of date sticker. Have had valves replaced to allow for the new style (new about 15 or more years ago) connectors. Actually prefer the new style as they allow for hand connecting instead of needing a wrench. Don't use any particular way of turning off and on, just whatever is convenient. On my wheeled fish house generally turn them off if I'm not going to be using it for awhile as the pilot light burns propane when I'm not there. For the grill I turn it off when it runs out and I have to change the tank.

Learn something every day if you pay attention.

I just had two 20# tanks filled at Cenex on Broadway in Bismarck this morning. On one of them, the certification had expired last month so I had to pony up the $10 for a recertification. And what a joke that is. Visual inspection and maybe a squirt of soap solution to check for a leak where the valve screws in. I could do that myself but I guess I would probably neglect to do it so safety first!

 

[muzzyhunter]

Filled alot of propane tanks over the years,doesnt sound like the valve to me,every once and awhile would run into one like that,sometimes the gasket on fill nozzle gets worn and wont seal,even though others worked just fine.
Try filling with the nozzle that screws into the inner threads,if that doesnt work you might have an issue,but I think this will solve your problem.You could also try another fill station.
The recert was suppose to be for opd valves replaced on older tanks,and that was 5yrs from date of replacement,and I believe 12yrs from manufact date stamped on tank for new ones,been out of it for awhile but believe thats the way it went.

 

[USMCDI]

Take them to your local small town oil\propane seller, they are always breathing new life into old neglected propane tanks. They will also give you way more propane than you'll get at some Menard's type of exchange deal. I take a sharpie and write my name on the tank and leave it in their lot and when I pick it up a few days later I have to bleed some out in order to get my grill to light. Or just set up a hose from a dryer bin and fill your own!

 

[SDMF]

Try filling with the nozzle that screws into the inner threads,if that doesnt work you might have an issue,but I think this will solve your problem.You could also try another fill station.

That's what they were using, the left-handed inside threads. I think my next stop with them will be FerrelGas or some such.

 

[( deleted account )]

A bit off topic but if you have some good solid older style propane tanks with the old type valve, as long as they are marked Welding Only, or Cutting Torch Only, the propane vendors will still fill them. Of course you are only supposed to used them for your cutting torch. No further comment.

 

[Platinum]

Could you do the exchange deal at a place that sells the Blue Rhino? That would be a way to get rid of the old outdated and have 2 new ones all filled up. It's a more inexpensive way to go in order to get the new valves and rid of the problems.