I went to the propane dealer today, 3 days before we are to sail for the Abacos. There, Iwas told that nationwide as of April 1, all tanks had to have a new type of valve installed. Well I was surprised and p'ed off because I had waited since February to get gas. The going price for the work down here is $35 for the valve and $35 for the labor. Of course, they cannot get to it by Thursday. I did some internet research and the law, rule, whatever, was implemented to keep 30,000,000 bbq owners from blowing themselves up. But if you follow the money, I wonder who were the lobbyist on this gas job. I guess it's additional liability insurance for the bbq tank makers with someone else footing the bill. Oops, I forgot why I was writing this. Does anyone know if I can easily get propane in the Bahamas in case I cannot get the valve replaced up onthe mainland tomorrow. thanks in advance
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Ernie Rodriguez
Did you check on the pice...
for a new tank? At that price, you may as well get a new tank unless the one you have is aluminum. I checked around here (Punta Gorda) today and was told that the price for the new valve was $20 and $5 for recertification. A new steel 10# tank runs about $60 from the Amerigas outfit (20# tanks go for $30 at most Wal-marts etc.) Never had to buy propane in the Bahamas but was told it is available. What is not available is the CNG. Good luck. Ernie
for a new tank? At that price, you may as well get a new tank unless the one you have is aluminum. I checked around here (Punta Gorda) today and was told that the price for the new valve was $20 and $5 for recertification. A new steel 10# tank runs about $60 from the Amerigas outfit (20# tanks go for $30 at most Wal-marts etc.) Never had to buy propane in the Bahamas but was told it is available. What is not available is the CNG. Good luck. Ernie
also not required for horizontal tanks
Bill: I'm sure that you have an alum. tank. If you want to just go with a steel tank for the trip you can get one that is full of propane (5 gal)than does not need to be purged at Home Depot for about $43. Then you can worry about your current tank when you return. If you have a horizontal tank they are exempt from the new regulation.
Bill: I'm sure that you have an alum. tank. If you want to just go with a steel tank for the trip you can get one that is full of propane (5 gal)than does not need to be purged at Home Depot for about $43. Then you can worry about your current tank when you return. If you have a horizontal tank they are exempt from the new regulation.
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Bob Howie
Retentive Lobbyists
Do you really think the Bahamas and the Caribbean really gives a rat's fanny what U.S. regulations are? If their maintenance of scuba tanks is any indication, they don't. And, what about the thousands of cruisers already out there with tanks that haven't been visually inspected or hydro'd in 10 years? You think they won't be able to get a fill outside CONUS? Hardly. Despite the efforts of landlubbing mandating offish U.S. bureaucrats, the rest of the world don't give a flip! No one is the Bahamas is going to care about anything other than the color of your money. Whether you get new tanks with the new valves or not, I don't much think it's going to be a problem, mon! Your call.
Do you really think the Bahamas and the Caribbean really gives a rat's fanny what U.S. regulations are? If their maintenance of scuba tanks is any indication, they don't. And, what about the thousands of cruisers already out there with tanks that haven't been visually inspected or hydro'd in 10 years? You think they won't be able to get a fill outside CONUS? Hardly. Despite the efforts of landlubbing mandating offish U.S. bureaucrats, the rest of the world don't give a flip! No one is the Bahamas is going to care about anything other than the color of your money. Whether you get new tanks with the new valves or not, I don't much think it's going to be a problem, mon! Your call.
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Lee Hadjiosif
Propane Tank
I had the same experience as you and since I don't use the propane much other than make coffee and boil hot dogs for the kids, I decided to buy an adaptor for $12.00 . This adaptor allows me to connect a coleman throw-away type bottle which would last me about half a season. Even if you refill your tank, is good to have a couple of disposable 1lb bottles on board just in case. They are the same as the ones I use for the Magna BBQ grill on my stern rail. Any good BBQ store (other than Kmart, Walmart etc) should have this adaptor.
I had the same experience as you and since I don't use the propane much other than make coffee and boil hot dogs for the kids, I decided to buy an adaptor for $12.00 . This adaptor allows me to connect a coleman throw-away type bottle which would last me about half a season. Even if you refill your tank, is good to have a couple of disposable 1lb bottles on board just in case. They are the same as the ones I use for the Magna BBQ grill on my stern rail. Any good BBQ store (other than Kmart, Walmart etc) should have this adaptor.
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Tom Boles
Horiz. tanks MAY not be exempted!
Steve- The real key to the new valve is who the certifing agency is. If the tank is a DOT tank (Vert or Horiz),(most over the counter tanks) then it needs the new valve assembly. If it is an ASME tank, then it does not. ASME tanks are often found in motorhomes and built into the body of the RV. The RV world has been up in arms about this for some time, and they tend to use a lot more propane than most boaters. From my point of view, it does make the refilling of tanks safer and makes it more simple, especially considering the general lack of training of many refillers...
Steve- The real key to the new valve is who the certifing agency is. If the tank is a DOT tank (Vert or Horiz),(most over the counter tanks) then it needs the new valve assembly. If it is an ASME tank, then it does not. ASME tanks are often found in motorhomes and built into the body of the RV. The RV world has been up in arms about this for some time, and they tend to use a lot more propane than most boaters. From my point of view, it does make the refilling of tanks safer and makes it more simple, especially considering the general lack of training of many refillers...
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David
Tanks
Horizontal tanks fabricated after September 30, 1998 MUST have the new OPD assembly fitted.
Horizontal tanks fabricated after September 30, 1998 MUST have the new OPD assembly fitted.
Thanks Tom & Dave
Here is what I found about the horizontal tanks. Basically horizontal tanks mfg after '98 already have the OPD device installed. "Recent Exclusion of horizontal DOT tanks: Owners of older RV's that use horizontal rather than vertical propane cylinders should read the following information: The new OPD (Overfilling Prevention Device) valves will be required on 4 lb. to 40 lb. propane cylinders from 1 April 2002. However, the currently available new valves are designed only for vertical cylinders and cannot be used with horizontal cylinders. Therefore, horizontal cylinders manufactured prior to 1 October 1998 have been exempted from having OPD valves, provided they are so labeled. (Such cylinders manufactured after 1 October 1998 do already have OPD valves)." WOW more breaucratic BS!
Here is what I found about the horizontal tanks. Basically horizontal tanks mfg after '98 already have the OPD device installed. "Recent Exclusion of horizontal DOT tanks: Owners of older RV's that use horizontal rather than vertical propane cylinders should read the following information: The new OPD (Overfilling Prevention Device) valves will be required on 4 lb. to 40 lb. propane cylinders from 1 April 2002. However, the currently available new valves are designed only for vertical cylinders and cannot be used with horizontal cylinders. Therefore, horizontal cylinders manufactured prior to 1 October 1998 have been exempted from having OPD valves, provided they are so labeled. (Such cylinders manufactured after 1 October 1998 do already have OPD valves)." WOW more breaucratic BS!
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bill walton
thanks everyone
My thought was to refill in the Abacos somewhere since as stated here, they probably do not care about this new regulation. I've got several of the small bottles as spare for my magma but haven't thought about an adapter to hook them to the boat's system. I'll look into that. The propane locker on the 42 is sized just right for a $180(new west marine) bottle so I'm trying to work aroound that. I'm going to visit a big propane outlet tomorrow in FtLauderdale to see if they are more reasonable in price and delivery.
My thought was to refill in the Abacos somewhere since as stated here, they probably do not care about this new regulation. I've got several of the small bottles as spare for my magma but haven't thought about an adapter to hook them to the boat's system. I'll look into that. The propane locker on the 42 is sized just right for a $180(new west marine) bottle so I'm trying to work aroound that. I'm going to visit a big propane outlet tomorrow in FtLauderdale to see if they are more reasonable in price and delivery.
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Hank Hill
If you need help with propane acessories, see me
One has to be careful with one's propane acessories.
One has to be careful with one's propane acessories.
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Dave Simpson
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