Expired LP tanks

[Jlouns]

Our LP tanks on our 2006 Forest River Wildcat have just expired
Someone mentioned you can get them "re-certified" by the gas company or something, but I do not remember.
Is this a process or do I have to go buy 2 new 30# tanks?
Thanks all!

[J Birder]

You might consider replacing them with 20# tanks. Then, instead of filling them, you can swap them, almost anywhere. You will then never have to worry about them becoming outdated.

I carry a third full 20# tank in the bed of the truck as an emergency spare. All in all I find it to work much better than when I had to go searching for someplace that could fill tanks.

Joel

[paz]

I believe many LP gas dealers can re-certify the tanks. Do a search for dealers in your area and make a couple of calls.

[Half Dimes]

Originally Posted by Jlouns

Our LP tanks on our 2006 Forest River Wildcat have just expired
Someone mentioned you can get them "re-certified" by the gas company or something, but I do not remember.
Is this a process or do I have to go buy 2 new 30# tanks?

Thanks all!

The text below was taken from Propane101.com. Wonder how old the tanks were in your 2006 when they were installed in your rig. I would expect you wouldn't have to be dealing with this issue for a couple more years.

Cylinder Certification and Recertification

Cylinders are subject to recertification (also known as requalification) twelve years from their date of manufacture and every five years after that. For example, a cylinder manufactured in January of 2000 will have to be recertified in January of 2012 meaning if you take your bottle to the propane company in April of 2012 to be refilled, it will have to be requalified by authorized personnel before it can be filled. The recertification process is simple and does not take too long to complete. Think of cylinder recertification as an inspection similar to that of your car. A vehicle has to be inspected annually so that it may continue to operate safely on the road. Similarly, a propane cylinder must be inspected so that it may continue to operate safely in LP Gas service.

[Nana25K]

The key is call around. When we were close to needing ours done we got a couple really outrageous prices from dealers at the bigger more franchise type dealers, some insisting they needed to empty the tanks. Finally had it done at an independent gas dealer for $10 each.
Also curious why you need them revert on 2006 rig

[Mr_D]

One thing to watch is that the exchange tanks are not usually filled to capacity and it's not the 80% capacity for expansion!
A 5 gallon tank holds approx. 22 lbs of propane, but the exchange tanks here have only 17 lbs in them or less than 4 gallons. Personally I prefer to pay $2.46/gallon for a full tank at a dealer. Here in WA the bulk dealer is also required to use a pressure pump with a meter so we do get the correct fill.
Also, if the tank is permanently mounted like in a Type A MH they are not subject to recertification.

[Jlouns]

Thank you all!!!!!!

[wa8yxm]

Some Propane Retailers can re-cert but your best shot is a Propane Wholsale place (The kind with the BIG tank farms and the trucks that deliver)

Re-Cert is routint, it is cheaper than new tanks and good for I think a decade.. I would recommend it over replacement unless the tanks are .... In bad shape.

Even if you need a new valve it's cheaper than a new tank.

[gap23]

I had 3 30lb tanks done for $5.00 each in grand rapids, mi

[Timay]

Mr. D is correct on the exchange tanks not being full! That is where they make their money...ripping off the customer base.

John, YXM, is right on as well...I have AAA Propane here and I have my tanks done there...cheaper than buying new tanks!

Tim

[mel s]

Originally Posted by J Birder

You might consider replacing them with 20# tanks. Then, instead of filling them, you can swap them, almost anywhere. You will then never have to worry about them becoming outdated.
I carry a third full 20# tank in the bed of the truck as an emergency spare. All in all I find it to work much better than when I had to go searching for someplace that could fill tanks.
Joel

J Birder
Are you aware that those 20 lb propane "exchange tanks" contain ONLY 15 lbs, (3.57 gallons), of propane?.....(That's $4.97 a gal @ today's Walmart price).

When you have 20 lb tanks "refilled" at a LP dealer or an RV dealer or a RV park you leave with 20 lbs of propane... 4.76 gallons.

Mel
'96 SafariSee: Propane tank refill vs exchange - eLivermore.com
Mel
'96 Safari
'96 Safari

[Happy Prospector]

I had my tanks re-certified at the feed store where I buy my propane. All the guy did was give it a once over looking for any deep rust on the tanks.

They normally charge $5.00 per tank to re-certify but I did it on a hot afternoon, when I asked him "How much" he replied $10.00, I opened my cooler full of ice and brought out a cold 6 pack and asked him if this would cover it, he said Yes Sir that will do just fine.

[Jlouns]

Thanks all!!! Great help

[camr]

Recertification at my employers plant involved removal of the valve, rinsing out with a small amount of alcohol, visual inspection of the inside of the tank for the presence of rust, and installation of a new valve. The most important thing they looked for was rust, indicating that the tank may have been used for product other than propane.