Everything about being on the water must be like heaven. Thanksgiving in some remote anchorage this year, I'm hoping, weather permitting.
Refilling CNG Tank
- Thread starter Terry Cox
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,744
I was thinking about the recent posts on this subject. All I could think of as to how to respond to these suggestions...
Hi Jon. At the moment we have two newly re-certified and full CNG tanks, one on the boat that has 2K pounds left, but needs to be re-certified when empty. Having four tanks in rotation sounds like a better plan. Two on the boat and two at home as backup.
Now that we have a good supply of CNG, we'll probably use the stove more often. Coffee in the morning, cooking lunch and dinner and some baking. Looking forward to another cruising season up north with the admiral aboard. Desolation Sound, Gulf Islands, Nakwatko Rapids, etc., etc., etc., and etc.
Called Sure Marine a few days ago and asked one of the reps whether they had any CNG tanks left over from their discontinued exchange program. Yup. Make us an offer. Okay. So, I'm going to visit their business and make that offer for two tanks in good condition. As long as they have no deep rust pits, odds are that Fire King will re-certify them for five years. They told me that these steel tanks that remain in good condition almost never expire. That way I will have four CNG tanks to rotate; two at home as full spares and two on the boat. Woohoo!
Yup. Those old steel tanks only become worrisome when they are deeply rust pitted according to Fire king. Otherwise, well cared for will last forever.
Thanks for the information on Commercial Sales. Was in a bit of a panic thinking I would have to move to propane. Stopped by there today and got my GNC tank filled.
They mentioned that there has been a name change for Fire King. It's now called Performance Systems Integration if you need to get your tank recertified.
Mike Stout
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Just a note to let you know that Fi re King has changed to Performance Systems Integration under the same phone number. Commercial Sales still fills CNG tanks.
Terry, I sent you a pm. Did you get it?
Liberty Fire Protection in Charleston SC did my tank, about $60 including tumbling the inside of the thank to make sure it was clean, hydro, and stamping for another 5 years. With the valve removed and a plastic plug in place and the combustable sticker removed, they treat it as a scuba tank since that is all it really is anyway.
Liberty Fire Protection in Charleston SC did my tank, about $60 including tumbling the inside of the thank to make sure it was clean, hydro, and stamping for another 5 years. With the valve removed and a plastic plug in place and the combustable sticker removed, they treat it as a scuba tank since that is all it really is anyway.
My CNG tank plan is coming together. I now have four tanks; one re-certified and almost full connected on the boat, one re-certified, but empty due to a valve port cap leak that I have since replaced the cap and two free given by Sure Marine that I took to Fire King yesterday to have them re-certified and leak checked. When ready In a week or so I will take the three tanks to Commercial Sales in Fife to have them filled. That will give me two on the boat and two stored at home for rotation. These should last me a few years, all things considered.
John, with Fire King, called yesterday and confirmed both tanks passed, however, as I suspected, the old valves needed to be replaced at $25 each. The pressure valve was leaking on one of the tanks and the valve threads were messed up the other tank. Normally, they do not test the valves, but since my other tank pressure valve leaked, I asked them to test both.
Now I have three tanks to fill at $63 per. Probably in the next week or so. But once done, Belle-Vie will have four CNG tanks; two on the boat and two at home.
Now I have three tanks to fill at $63 per. Probably in the next week or so. But once done, Belle-Vie will have four CNG tanks; two on the boat and two at home.
Action plan done. Took three empty certified CNG tanks to Commercial Sales in Fife this morning to have them filled. Two with new valves and one with a replaced leaking pressure valve that was not leaking during my air pressure test. Told the technician to check for leaks while he was filling the one and stop if so. All three check out. Cost was $125.51, which means I have three full tanks and one almost full connected on the boat. I'll keep two at home and two on the boat. These should last a few years. One happy skipper. Now time to change the oil on both engines.