Propane tank recertification (California)

[hepkess]

There seems to be a new law about refilling a propane tank. My tank is re-certified until 2015. I tried to refill it today and the attendant refused because it had to be recertified under a new law.
Does this mean I need to have the tank recertified for a new valve?

[Dunrollin]

If you are referring to the standard 20 pound tanks, I have paid to have them recertified before. Since they usually have to keep it overnight it is a bit of a pain to undergo.

I came up with a better plan. I take my expired tank to Walmart and peer through the cage at the filled ones. Once I pick one that is new looking I go inside and get a clerk to open the cage. So far, every time I point out the one I want they let me have it. That usually gives me several more years befor I have to worry about it again.

I usually get the tanks refilled at Tractor Supply for the best price around here.

[Mr_D]

ASME tanks (built into motorhomes) don't need recertification. The portable tanks do.

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by hepkess

There seems to be a new law about refilling a propane tank. My tank is re-certified until 2015. I tried to refill it today and the attendant refused because it had to be recertified under a new law.
Does this mean I need to have the tank recertified for a new valve?

Don’t know if you typo’d, but it is now 2021, way past 2015. You need to check the stamping on the tank to know when the last recertification expired. If you had it done in 2015, it may have been a five year certification. Again, assuming this is a DOT tank.

If you meant it was re-certified until 2025, then it still should be good as I cannot find any Ca. law that supersedes DOT regulations.

[hepkess]

Originally Posted by hepkess

There seems to be a new law about refilling a propane tank. My tank is re-certified until 2015. I tried to refill it today and the attendant refused because it had to be recertified under a new law.
Does this mean I need to have the tank recertified for a new valve?

The tanks are certified to 2015 but the clerk wouln't fill them because of a new law that says you have to have a new type valve. Pretty sure he is just being a fool, I've had trouble with this place before for nearly the same thing. I'm gonna challenge the boss tomorrow. I don't want to pay $100 to get new valves if I don't have to. The WalMart thing has promise tho!
Thanks.

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by hepkess

The tanks are certified to 2015 but the clerk wouln't fill them because of a new law that says you have to have a new type valve. Pretty sure he is just being a fool, I've had trouble with this place before for nearly the same thing. I'm gonna challenge the boss tomorrow. I don't want to pay $100 to get new valves if I don't have to. The WalMart thing has promise tho!
Thanks.

I’m confused. I understand “certified to 2015” to mean the tank must be re-certified in 2015, six years ago. If the tank was made in 2015, you have 12 years of service before re-cert, that would be 2027.

If your valve doesn't have a triangular knob, then it is out of compliance because it is not an OPD (Overfill Protection Device) required by law. That is not a “new” law, it was in effect since 1998, and not unique to California. That’s probably what the problem is since the tech can see the valve knob at first glance.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Ljwt330

Don’t know if you typo’d, but it is now 2021, way past 2015. You need to check the stamping on the tank to know when the last recertification expired. If you had it done in 2015, it may have been a five year certification. Again, assuming this is a DOT tank.

If you meant it was re-certified until 2025, then it still should be good as I cannot find any Ca. law that supersedes DOT regulations.

Originally Posted by hepkess

The tanks are certified to 2015 but the clerk wouln't fill them because of a new law that says you have to have a new type valve. Pretty sure he is just being a fool, I've had trouble with this place before for nearly the same thing. I'm gonna challenge the boss tomorrow. I don't want to pay $100 to get new valves if I don't have to. The WalMart thing has promise tho!
Thanks.

As pointed out it is 2021......6 yrs past your 2015 Recert Date

You cylinders already have the OPD valves (all DOT portable propane cylinders since 1998 have OPD valves)

Visual Recertification is good for 5 yrs (2015 ???)
Time for new Recertification

DOT (Federal Department of Transportation) has jurisdiction NOT California

[hepkess]

Originally Posted by Ljwt330

Don’t know if you typo’d, but it is now 2021, way past 2015. You need to check the stamping on the tank to know when the last recertification expired. If you had it done in 2015, it may have been a five year certification. Again, assuming this is a DOT tank.

If you meant it was re-certified until 2025, then it still should be good as I cannot find any Ca. law that supersedes DOT regulations.

Yeah, I mistyped. My fingers had a senior moment. I sort of think the kid filling propane was feeling powerful and wanted to push people around, this has happened before at this station. I'll go in today and talk to the manager.
Thanks

[HopsBrewster]

Just exchange it and the new tank will have the brand new certification which you can get refilled until it expires, at which point you get another exchange tank. ezpz
much easier than arguing and going back and forth with retail workers (I should know, I used to be a retail sales-droid)

[fagnaml]

hepkess --

I presume your post is about a portable 20#/ 30# / 40# size propane tank. When last I had an "old" 20# tank that was out of date, after it was empty I exchanged that old tank for a full, up-to-date Blue Rhino tank at my local Kroger store. Blue Rhino then had to worry about re-certifying that old tank.

Forum members --

hepkess' post raises a question in my mind about the 32 gallon (136#), permanently installed propane tank on my and many other motorhomes. I honestly don't know what regulations apply to permanently installed tanks in an RV. Do those tanks need to be "re-certified" at some point in time?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by fagnaml

hepkess --

I presume your post is about a portable 20#/ 30# / 40# size propane tank. When last I had an "old" 20# tank that was out of date, after it was empty I exchanged that old tank for a full, up-to-date Blue Rhino tank at my local Kroger store. Blue Rhino then had to worry about re-certifying that old tank.

Forum members --

hepkess' post raises a question in my mind about the 32 gallon (136#), permanently installed propane tank on my and many other motorhomes. I honestly don't know what regulations apply to permanently installed tanks in an RV. Do those tanks need to be "re-certified" at some point in time?

No, mounted tank do not need to be certified. They are about 3 times as thick.

Dents or heavy rust are reasons not to fill them but a wire brunch and paint can fix rust. Dented tanks should be replaced anyway.

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by hepkess

Yeah, I mistyped. My fingers had a senior moment. I sort of think the kid filling propane was feeling powerful and wanted to push people around, this has happened before at this station. I'll go in today and talk to the manager.
Thanks

Here's something I just found.

https://www.lpgasmagazine.com/dot-cy...ane-marketers/

In short, a new law was passed that took effect in January of 2017 that reduced the time for re-certification from 12 years to 10.

This may be what the station attendant was talking about. Though a tank may have a stamp that says it must be re-certified within 12 years of manufacture, that has now been superseded.

[Alpine36]

I take my expired tanks directly to our local FerrelGas yard to be refilled.
They do a visual inspection and recertification free of charge, fill them up and I'm good to go. One tank didn't pass due to surface rust around the base. He grabbed another exchange tank from the stack, filled it and sent me on my way. No extra charge for a newer tank.
Sometimes it pays to go directly to the source....

[Trapper2022]

No big deal go do a tank exchange. That’s the only time I use the service. Always use tractor supply to fill my tanks.

Enjoy the journey