On my 376 I have two small expensive! aluminum tanks made in 1997 that now have to be fitted with an overflow valve before they can be refilled. Does anyone know the best way to get this done? Thanks!
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Ed Ruiz
Many older propane tanks need the OPD
I too have aluminum propane tanks, and all will need the OPD valves. I found a place that will do it for $25 each. (I'll have them done one at a time after each is emptied.) Considering that my aluminum sell for over $160 each, retrofiting seems the most economical way to go. I suggest you ask the place where you get them filled if they can retrofit, or if not, do they know a place that does. BTW, the law only applies to the USA, so if you are in or going to another country, you may still be able to have the tanks filled there. Good luck.
I too have aluminum propane tanks, and all will need the OPD valves. I found a place that will do it for $25 each. (I'll have them done one at a time after each is emptied.) Considering that my aluminum sell for over $160 each, retrofiting seems the most economical way to go. I suggest you ask the place where you get them filled if they can retrofit, or if not, do they know a place that does. BTW, the law only applies to the USA, so if you are in or going to another country, you may still be able to have the tanks filled there. Good luck.
Not required on horiztonal tanks either.
John: You can take your tanks to a Propane dealer for retro fitting. If you have horizontal oriented tanks they do not require the retrofit. I understand that the cost is $25-35. (just another government boon doggle)
John: You can take your tanks to a Propane dealer for retro fitting. If you have horizontal oriented tanks they do not require the retrofit. I understand that the cost is $25-35. (just another government boon doggle)
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David
Propane
John, the horizontal tanks must also have the OPD fitting if manufactured after 10/1/98. The OPD fittings can be retrofitted to most tanks and if you have the aluminum tanks in good condition you may want to ask a dealer.
John, the horizontal tanks must also have the OPD fitting if manufactured after 10/1/98. The OPD fittings can be retrofitted to most tanks and if you have the aluminum tanks in good condition you may want to ask a dealer.
Horizontal tanks cannot be retro fitted!
David: Your quote is correct. The horizontal tanks that were mfg. after the Oct 98 date had the OPD devices. The point was that there is NO retrofit device for horiztonals tanks. The problem will be convincing some operators of your exemption. Also tanks under 4 lbs and over 40 lbs are exempt.
David: Your quote is correct. The horizontal tanks that were mfg. after the Oct 98 date had the OPD devices. The point was that there is NO retrofit device for horiztonals tanks. The problem will be convincing some operators of your exemption. Also tanks under 4 lbs and over 40 lbs are exempt.
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Ken Palmer
Not the government
To my understanding, this new rule has nothing to do with the U.S. government. It is not a law, was not voted on by the people, or studied (in my opinion). It was the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that passed this rule for the fear of over-filling tanks for grills. I just wonder how many explosions have occurred to warrant this rule, and how many millions of new tanks and/or valves are really necessary. It sounds like the manufacturers of tanks and valves lobbied this one. I have included a link to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission below. Thanks, I will keep my alcohol stove. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
To my understanding, this new rule has nothing to do with the U.S. government. It is not a law, was not voted on by the people, or studied (in my opinion). It was the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that passed this rule for the fear of over-filling tanks for grills. I just wonder how many explosions have occurred to warrant this rule, and how many millions of new tanks and/or valves are really necessary. It sounds like the manufacturers of tanks and valves lobbied this one. I have included a link to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission below. Thanks, I will keep my alcohol stove. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
It may be more common than you think...
An older tank on my grill at home WAS overfilled...or maybe it wasn't. All I know for certain is that I'd had the tank refilled and a couple of days later, when I wanted to use the grill, I discovered that the threaded hose connection had been blown off the tank and the tank was empty. Although all the safety warnings advise keeping the valve on the top of the tank closed except when the grill is in use, I always open it to "test light" the grill after changing the tank and leave it open. Was it overfilled, or did the fitting just fail? If it was overfilled, and if I hadn't left the valve open so the pressure could be relieved by blowing the hose off, what else might have happened? Was mine one in a zillion, or do the older fittings--like a lot of other things--have a finite lifespan, after which the likelihood of failure increases exponentially every year (mine was only two years old, btw)? These are not questions I'd want to learn the answers to on a boat.
An older tank on my grill at home WAS overfilled...or maybe it wasn't. All I know for certain is that I'd had the tank refilled and a couple of days later, when I wanted to use the grill, I discovered that the threaded hose connection had been blown off the tank and the tank was empty. Although all the safety warnings advise keeping the valve on the top of the tank closed except when the grill is in use, I always open it to "test light" the grill after changing the tank and leave it open. Was it overfilled, or did the fitting just fail? If it was overfilled, and if I hadn't left the valve open so the pressure could be relieved by blowing the hose off, what else might have happened? Was mine one in a zillion, or do the older fittings--like a lot of other things--have a finite lifespan, after which the likelihood of failure increases exponentially every year (mine was only two years old, btw)? These are not questions I'd want to learn the answers to on a boat.
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David
Propane OPD
Ken, you are correct in that the OPD requirements are not a US Gov. regulation. However they are a government requirement in that the Underwriters Labortories Certification sponsored by NFPA have been adopted by most state governments.
Ken, you are correct in that the OPD requirements are not a US Gov. regulation. However they are a government requirement in that the Underwriters Labortories Certification sponsored by NFPA have been adopted by most state governments.
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