I have two fairly new 1-gallon propane tanks that are not new enough to have the overfill protection that had to be in place by last April 1. I am reluctant to just throw away these tanks and buy new ones but I can't find a place to have them retrofitted. One outfit kept one of the tanks for months and then returned it saying they could not get it retrofitted. We are looking at $15 vs. $70. Anyone know where I can get those done in the New York City area?
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Rich Stidger
Check around now
I had my 10# aluminum tank retrofitted for about $25 at my local propane supplier. The new valves come in different lengths for different sized tanks, so one size does not fit all. Last year my dealer had a problem getting the valves due to some industry-wide supply problem. Try again now. The tank is stamped with a "DT x.x" which means "Dip Tube of length x.x inches". This is the key for a dealer to install the correct length valve in your tank. If you have a standard steel 20# tank, the cost of refit is about the same as a new OPD tank, so the smart decision is to simply toss the tank. In your case the tank is worth the cost of retrofit.
I had my 10# aluminum tank retrofitted for about $25 at my local propane supplier. The new valves come in different lengths for different sized tanks, so one size does not fit all. Last year my dealer had a problem getting the valves due to some industry-wide supply problem. Try again now. The tank is stamped with a "DT x.x" which means "Dip Tube of length x.x inches". This is the key for a dealer to install the correct length valve in your tank. If you have a standard steel 20# tank, the cost of refit is about the same as a new OPD tank, so the smart decision is to simply toss the tank. In your case the tank is worth the cost of retrofit.
Don't think they are required to have retro.
Peter: I had some info on the retro fitting of these tanks. I believe that your size tank is exempt from doing this. You may want to check around and see if you can find the information on the internet. I will check and see if I can find it for you.
Peter: I had some info on the retro fitting of these tanks. I believe that your size tank is exempt from doing this. You may want to check around and see if you can find the information on the internet. I will check and see if I can find it for you.
basic reg.
As of April 1, 2002, OPDs are required on all propane cylinders between 4 and 40 pounds propane capacity, per the 1998 edition of NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code. Cylinders of this size manufactured after September 30, 1998, were required to have an OPD. A typical gas grill cylinder holds about 20 pounds of propane.
As of April 1, 2002, OPDs are required on all propane cylinders between 4 and 40 pounds propane capacity, per the 1998 edition of NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code. Cylinders of this size manufactured after September 30, 1998, were required to have an OPD. A typical gas grill cylinder holds about 20 pounds of propane.
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Peter J. Brennan
Required on all but horizontal tanks
The OPD is not just the valve inside the tank but the filler fitting also changed. Old style tanks cannot be filled from new style filler uppers. And I will try my supplier again. It seems there was a backlog for the smaller tanks.
The OPD is not just the valve inside the tank but the filler fitting also changed. Old style tanks cannot be filled from new style filler uppers. And I will try my supplier again. It seems there was a backlog for the smaller tanks.
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Bob Camarena
Are they standard size?
If they're standard size, home-syle tanks, you can exchange them at Home Depot via the filled tank, exchange service that they have. I didn't get any hassle when I exchanged my barbeque tanks. Unfortunately my boat tank is a small version. I know that there's a way to transfer from one tank to another but I don't remember what's required. If I can find out how to do it I can fill from a standard tank to my small one. I'm sure that there's some, theoretical safety risk but I wouldn't be filling it under pressure.
If they're standard size, home-syle tanks, you can exchange them at Home Depot via the filled tank, exchange service that they have. I didn't get any hassle when I exchanged my barbeque tanks. Unfortunately my boat tank is a small version. I know that there's a way to transfer from one tank to another but I don't remember what's required. If I can find out how to do it I can fill from a standard tank to my small one. I'm sure that there's some, theoretical safety risk but I wouldn't be filling it under pressure.
Have your supplier check the law.
Peter: Those small tanks are exempt from the law, have your supplier check the regulations.
Peter: Those small tanks are exempt from the law, have your supplier check the regulations.
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David
Propane
Just because the tank is small does not mean that it is exempt. NFPA 58 eventually will include all small tanks. California has not adopted the 1998 version of NFPA 58, yet will enforce the OPD requirements. Other states have adopted 1998 NFPA 58 but will not enforce the requirements. However, to make it more complicated the OPD requirement is incorporated in a UL standard and the UL standard is adopted by most states in their fire codes. The net effect is that most filling stations in most states will not fill a propane tank unless it has the OPD valve.
Just because the tank is small does not mean that it is exempt. NFPA 58 eventually will include all small tanks. California has not adopted the 1998 version of NFPA 58, yet will enforce the OPD requirements. Other states have adopted 1998 NFPA 58 but will not enforce the requirements. However, to make it more complicated the OPD requirement is incorporated in a UL standard and the UL standard is adopted by most states in their fire codes. The net effect is that most filling stations in most states will not fill a propane tank unless it has the OPD valve.
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Frank Conley
Retrofitting Propane Tanks OPD Valve
Steve and Peter's posts are correct. Most propane dealers operate under the the latest version of NFPA 58 adopted by their state. Begining with the 1998 version of NFPA 58, OPDs (overfill protection devices) are required on all cylinders with 4 lb through 40 lbs gas capacity (NFPA 58, 1998 edition, Sec 2-3.1.5), your standard BBQ cylinder is a 20 lb cylinder. Cylinders under 4 lbs are exempt from the requirement. The 2001 version of NFPA also states another exemption that my apply to tanks used on sailing vessels: "Cylinders manufactured prior to Oct 1, 1998, and designed for use in the horizontal orientation for which an OPD is not available. Such cylinders shall have a label to indicate that they are not eqiupped with an overfilling prevention device." To confuse this issue, your state may not yet have adopted the 1998 edition of NFPA 58 and you may not have to comply with the OPD law at this time. For example, in Virginia, we operate under the 1995 edition and are not adopting the 1998 edition until this summer, so I can still get a bottle filled if my propane dealer will do it (though many dealers will not make the exception because a more current edition of NFPA 58 requires an OPD). If you retrofit a propane bottle, getting the proper dip tube for your tank is critical!!!! Wrong dip tube and your bottle gets overfilled without your knowledge, the tank pressure builds up on a hot day, the tank relieves the excess pressure, the relieved gas finds a source of ignition, and now you are the proud owner of all of those little bits of your boat that are now floating on the water after the explosion (hopefully you are not part of the floatsam)!!! There is a correct dip tube for each size tank and they are different for steel versus aluminum constructed tanks. I recommend you contact Tarantin Tank and Equipment Co. at 1-800-922-0724 or www.tarantin.com Their catalog has a good OPD retrofit table and they carry the valves. For best service, you may want to order it yourself and then take it to a propane dealer for safe installation. Good luck, Frank Conley S/V "Avanti" President, Virginia Propane Gas Association
Steve and Peter's posts are correct. Most propane dealers operate under the the latest version of NFPA 58 adopted by their state. Begining with the 1998 version of NFPA 58, OPDs (overfill protection devices) are required on all cylinders with 4 lb through 40 lbs gas capacity (NFPA 58, 1998 edition, Sec 2-3.1.5), your standard BBQ cylinder is a 20 lb cylinder. Cylinders under 4 lbs are exempt from the requirement. The 2001 version of NFPA also states another exemption that my apply to tanks used on sailing vessels: "Cylinders manufactured prior to Oct 1, 1998, and designed for use in the horizontal orientation for which an OPD is not available. Such cylinders shall have a label to indicate that they are not eqiupped with an overfilling prevention device." To confuse this issue, your state may not yet have adopted the 1998 edition of NFPA 58 and you may not have to comply with the OPD law at this time. For example, in Virginia, we operate under the 1995 edition and are not adopting the 1998 edition until this summer, so I can still get a bottle filled if my propane dealer will do it (though many dealers will not make the exception because a more current edition of NFPA 58 requires an OPD). If you retrofit a propane bottle, getting the proper dip tube for your tank is critical!!!! Wrong dip tube and your bottle gets overfilled without your knowledge, the tank pressure builds up on a hot day, the tank relieves the excess pressure, the relieved gas finds a source of ignition, and now you are the proud owner of all of those little bits of your boat that are now floating on the water after the explosion (hopefully you are not part of the floatsam)!!! There is a correct dip tube for each size tank and they are different for steel versus aluminum constructed tanks. I recommend you contact Tarantin Tank and Equipment Co. at 1-800-922-0724 or www.tarantin.com Their catalog has a good OPD retrofit table and they carry the valves. For best service, you may want to order it yourself and then take it to a propane dealer for safe installation. Good luck, Frank Conley S/V "Avanti" President, Virginia Propane Gas Association
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Peter J. Brennan
Talk about the...
horse's mouth! Frank Conley pretty much ends the discussion, and with some very useful information. Many thanks, Frank. I will check out that company. I also have an adapter for the tanks that allows me to connect one of those one-pound propane torch containers to the ship's propane system. But that's a different issue, just to be able to finish the cooking if both tanks run empty.
horse's mouth! Frank Conley pretty much ends the discussion, and with some very useful information. Many thanks, Frank. I will check out that company. I also have an adapter for the tanks that allows me to connect one of those one-pound propane torch containers to the ship's propane system. But that's a different issue, just to be able to finish the cooking if both tanks run empty.
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Bob Camarena
Filling from One Tank to Another
I got curious, did a search and found an article on how you can transfer LPG from one tank to another. I certainly can't vouch for this from a safety standpoint, but I remember reading soething similar in one of the major sailing/cruising magazines. Check out the link below.
I got curious, did a search and found an article on how you can transfer LPG from one tank to another. I certainly can't vouch for this from a safety standpoint, but I remember reading soething similar in one of the major sailing/cruising magazines. Check out the link below.
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