Propane tank recertification?

[scottdube]

Has anyone had this done lately? I searched and only turned up older info. Mine are at least 13 years old, aluminum and look like new. A quick internet search for my area hasn't turned up anyone dong the recert.

Thanks

 

[justsomeguy]

Hmm. A guy in my area buys up old tanks and sends them off to a nearby relative for reconditioning/re-certification, so, yes, someone's out there.

 

[Johnb]

There are propane service companies that re certify cylinders in California. This seems to consist mainly of a general inspection and test for leakage of the shut off valve. Suggest you call a local one even if they don't advertise that service.

 

[Sailm8]

I called a local propane supplier and asked about recert. They told me who to contact.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, but the question seems to be: Do you NEED to have them re certified?

If so, why? Then we can begin to ask where, right?

 

[scottdube]

Yes, but the question seems to be: Do you NEED to have them re certified?

If so, why? Then we can begin to ask where, right?

Why? Cuz the govt says so... Propane filling stations will refuse to fill tanks that have not got a current inspection (less than 12 years old). 1 of my tanks came with the boat in 2002, and the other was purchased in 2003. So I'm going to say the stamp shows older than 12 years.

 

[All U Get]

I can answer that with one word, Blue Rhino. Swap the tank anywhere, no need to worry about the cert. Some other suppliers are doing so in our area because of loss of business.

All U Get

 

[ToddL214]

In my case the local propane supplier also was the source of the certification. It was comprised of a check of the valve and seals, addition of a new sticker on the tank and an entry in his log book, (and a nominal fee, like ~$10). Mine wasn't quite "due" at the time but I figured better safe than sorry and why not knock it out when it was convenient rather than add a project and separate trip later.

 

[Gunni]

Your tank will have a certification date on it, after which a propane dealer who wants to maintain his liability insurance and business license will require a re-cert. It is a very cursory inspection, nowhere near as exhaustive as a compressed air dive tank. An approval results in a new re-cert date stamped into the collar with a steel die. I suppose the minimal inspection is because the tank self-vents at something like 200 psi.

 

[Capt jgw]

Of course the exchange places don't have the good aluminum tanks. We use the aluminum because the steel ones rust, but I suppose if you were changing them out every time that would be less of an issue. If the 20# barbeque tanks fit in your locker. I'm using the regular steel tanks, partly because they're cheap and partly so I can easily change them out if I can't get to a fill station. I'm in fresh water so I don't think the tanks are going to rust much worse than they would on the patio grill.
The exchange tanks aren't usually new, I've seen some that were a little rusty. But at least they should to be inspected and up to date.

 

[DaveJ]

I had my 2001 aluminum tank recertified last year at a propane distribution center for about $20. This is in Ontario Canada, our laws require a tank to be recertified every 10 years. They installed a new valve as part of the recert.
Cheers

 

[Capt jgw]

I usually fill mine at uhaul or a tool rental place. They don't do recerts. But a propane distributor probably does. Most larger cities have one nearby.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I can answer that with one word, Blue Rhino. Swap the tank anywhere, no need to worry about the cert. Some other suppliers are doing so in our area because of loss of business.

All U Get

This doesn't work for 10 pound aluminum tanks or fiberglass tanks. Many boats only have lockers built for the smaller tanks.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Has anyone had this done lately? I searched and only turned up older info. Mine are at least 13 years old, aluminum and look like new. A quick internet search for my area hasn't turned up anyone dong the recert.

Thanks

I went through this in Mass before we left to go cruising. I got a list from the state that had everyone licensed to recertify tanks and called everyone within 75 miles of me. What I found is that the only workable solution was to look for a local guy that deals with propane tanks for fork lifts and go down there with the tank. I explained the situation to the guy there and eventually he did the recertification for $20 cash to the kid who actually did the work. He even filled my tank for that cost.

I had several long conversations with people in the coarse of trying to find someone to do the recertification. The issue is liability. No one wants to be responsible for a recertified tank. Their number goes on the can and if it is ever involved in an incident the insurance companies will try to hold them liable.

Also, the recertification are only valid for 5 years. So you get half the time as the original certification.

Next time I will just by a new tank.

 

[scottdube]

I went through this in Mass before we left to go cruising. I got a list from the state that had everyone licensed to recertify tanks and called everyone within 75 miles of me. What I found is that the only workable solution was to look for a local guy that deals with propane tanks for fork lifts and go down there with the tank. I explained the situation to the guy there and eventually he did the recertification for $20 cash to the kid who actually did the work. He even filled my tank for that cost.

I had several long conversations with people in the coarse of trying to find someone to do the recertification. The issue is liability. No one wants to be responsible for a recertified tank. Their number goes on the can and if it is ever involved in an incident the insurance companies will try to hold them liable.

Also, the recertification are only valid for 5 years. So you get half the time as the original certification.

Next time I will just by a new tank.

Thanks, I'm in NH but work in MA. So far I've found one place up in Maine (1.5 hours away) that will do it. None of the propane distributors around here want to do it. The tanks are $210 a piece so trying to figure it out is worth it.
Thanks!

 

[All U Get]

A sailing friend of ours had 10lb bottles for his grill and carried an adapter for filling at any U-Haul that had propane. He lives in Portland, Me so he knew where to get the tanks certified. Is the rule 12 years on initial cert. then 5 years there after? We're lucky enough to have room for the 20lb tank in our gas locker. While traveling we found several places along the east coast that would certify the tanks, but the waiting time didn't work for us.

All U Get

 

[DougM]

Have you priced one of the 10 pound Aluminum tanks?
The worst Marine catalog lists them at $300.00. No doubt less costly at other sources

 

[Gunni]

The length of re-cert depends on the method of inspection, 5 years for a visual, to 12 years for a more rigorous pressure testing. Look for a propane delivery service that retains the properly credentialed gas technicians authorized to certify a visual.

 

[All U Get]

I made a few calls, local propane dealers don't do recerts. Local welding supply do only larger bottles for fork-lift customers. Maybe BoatUS could start legislation that provides service for customers of West Marine that buy those tanks.

All U Get

 

[Tom G P-21]

Another place would be fire extinguisher suppliers. They re-certify CO2 tanks. I learned that from my old home brewing days. I don't know if they'll do propane tanks but I thought I'd mention it. I had a friend in a similar circumstances years ago. Lived aboard a Catamaran at Constitution Marina and had a squat aluminum tank that was the only type that would fit into the locker. Had the same trouble getting it re-certified and that was 20 years ago. Unfortunately I don't remember what he ended up doing.