Propane Distributors and Tank Re Certfy

[DavidC]

I am about the last person for new regulations but some of these people really need supervision. I drove to Apache Junction with two 30lb and 0ne 100lb tanks. I needed to get one of the 30's re- certified so I stopped by a place named Family propane. They condemned the tank as it was leaking at the fill port. They offer a replacement tank at $80.00 . I had just looked on Amazon, new tank $49.00 empty. I him hawed around and almost pulled the trigger. I told the operator ok at least I do not have to worry about it for 10 years. Operator replies no it is only good for 5 years as it is an old tank re-certified. Whoa_____ $80.00 for a used tank, I do not think so. Loaded the tank back in the truck and went around the corner to fill the other 30 and 100lb tanks without problems. Drove home and ordered the new tank from Amazon. Now at the Family propane was $2.49, around the corner $2.19. I searched around Mesa with U-haul listing from $3.05 to $3.50.
Going to fill tanks is pretty much a crap shoot on who is going to rip you off the most as most places do not have a sign showing the price so you have to stop or call. Oh, the Family place that it's not a problem with their used tank, just bring it back in 5 years, pay us $20.00 and we will re-certify . Done my rant.

Dave

 

[Tuesdak]

I went to Bill's Propane Service in Phoenix to get my 40's re-certified as Arizona Propane and some others want to put in new valves to re-certify per "policy" rather than "need". Mine didn't need new valves and for the cost of valves I would be money and time ahead for new tanks. Bill's, of course, didn't insist on new valves. Rather inspected the ones I have and suggested I replace the valves at the next re-certification.

Tractor Supply usually has a sign with propane prices. I do get mine filled at Arizona Propane because usually I don't have to remove them from the RV to get them filled if I pull in.

Speaking of RV propane fun... if you are sick of the Communist China regulators failing and starving your propane genset I found some Made in USA propane regulators. For a price you can get quality and Made in USA as well. Rego Automatic Changeover Regulator 7525B34 and the only place I found selling them online is PropaneProducts.com

 

[B.G. Smith]

It is my understanding that a tank can only be re certified one time?? I have an aluminum tank that is 39 years old and I have been able to get it filled with a warning, "You need to get this inspected". Oh well, best price around here is currently $2.49 bg

 

[DavidC]

I haven't seen a real good way to dispose of the tanks as they are considered hazardous material (other than leaving them on a street corner or throwing out the window going down the road). I checked the City of Mesa and they may start taking them in the Fall for a price). So these Loon's come up with this money making stuff and also have you pay to dispose of the tank. Seem's everytime I deal with propane I think I am at the proctologist. J, nice to know about the Regulator. We just ran the Onan 5 hrs a few weeks ago when a storm knocked out the power, being we are at a Moibile home park I think we were the only one's with power and air conditioning .

Dave

 

[Tuesdak]

Good explanation link below of new rules and dates for propane tank requalification of DOT cylinders. Also ASME info. Aka not required for permanently installed ASME tanks. Different types of inspection have different re-inspection dates. Visual is every 5 years - it's not just a one time extension.
https://rvtravel.com/how-often-do-you-have-to-re-certify-propane-tanks/

If the tank has a big visible hole in it or the valve removed they will take them as scrap metal. My buddy that is a semi-professional scrapper with the 3.9 V6 once hauled a 500 gal underground propane tank to the yard. Just took the fill valve assembly out.

What? Actually prepared for bad weather and power outages? Yeah likely same storm I field tested 1800 RPM Onan re-configured as a home backup genset, but, only ran it for 3 of the 3.5 hours the power was out. It was too dangerous to light it off with the sideways rain with 60 MPH or whatever high winds for the first half hour. I use a small window AC unit for power outages vs. attempting to power the whole house AC that needs a 12KW set. Roads flooded so I couldn't (And wouldn't have even attempted to) get to my RV in storage.

 

[DavidC]

That's good to know. Maybe I will just remove the valve, there is a scrap metal close by on Rio Salado and the 101

Dave

 

[JR]

I haven't seen a real good way to dispose of the tanks as they are considered hazardous material

A few quick pot shots with thirty ought something and she can go right in the scrap pile

And they don't go up in a big bang like the hollywierd movies would lead you to think... although I still wouldn't stand near one when the trigger is pulled, for common sense reasons

 

[SnoKing]

The welding shop on the old highway into AJ next to the Barleens Arizona Orpy and the co-op are noted for the best price on propane.

 

[mwilson]

I just went and picked up one of my 30lb cylinders that i had to get re-certified. $15.00 at a local Oxy-Acetylene supplier.

 

[Tuesdak]

A few quick pot shots with thirty ought something and she can go right in the scrap pile

And they don't go up in a big bang like the hollywierd movies would lead you to think... although I still wouldn't stand near one when the trigger is pulled, for common sense reasons

Um, that goes without saying: It's Arizona.

 

[DavidC]

Finally installed the new 20' awning this morning after the 60-80mph winds took the original. In all fairness the original needed to be replaced as hail in North Dakota made it look like a well used AK47 target. Took me 3 hrs by myself, not a difficult job except for the mass of material. $200.00 for the material from Shade Pro. They are based in Ca. and offered to install for $980.00 including the price for the material . These type of projects are getting harder after the man killer shot and approaching 65. I wanted to get it done while the chill in the air is below 110.
Snoking thanks I will check them out I went to Shoppers Supply at Apache and Ironwood.

Dave

 

[jhenderson]

I’m jealous of you guys. Anything under $4.00 a gal is considered a good deal here.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Yes, taking valves out makes them scrap - here in VA. And yes, they normally also have a few extra small holes in them!

Regarding propane filling - I do it the easy way...I have a wet leg on one of my large tanks and fill my own! That makes it $1.64/gal. And I only charge myself for the actual propane installed

 

[jhenderson]

Yes, taking valves out makes them scrap - here in VA. And yes, they normally also have a few extra small holes in them!

Regarding propane filling - I do it the easy way...I have a wet leg on one of my large tanks and fill my own! That makes it $1.64/gal. And I only charge myself for the actual propane installed

That $1.64 a gal propane in your tank costs me $3.79. That’s the price from the company I switched to in July. The company before them upped me to $5.19 because my usage went down when I installed an on demand water heater.

 

[mwilson]

I’m jealous of you guys. Anything under $4.00 a gal is considered a good deal here.

Same here. Unless you are heating a house with it or using it in Forklifts hang on 'cause they are going to make the full profit allowed...it's terrible..

Sometimes I can find it in the $3.25 to $3.50 range in my hometown but in the city it's at least $4.00 per....

 

[DavidC]

I was filling a propane bottle at a corner gas station a few years ago and maybe paying $1.75 gallon and the operator told me if I was filling a vehicle it was like $.99 cents . Where they get these prices is beyond me.

Dave

 

[Dan_69GTX]

That $1.64 a gal propane in your tank costs me $3.79. That’s the price from the company I switched to in July. The company before them upped me to $5.19 because my usage went down when I installed an on demand water heater.

Ouch, around here, there is a wide variation of propane prices. Something, that I just don’t understand. In Texas and Kansas, you can easily buy your own tank. Not here! You can buy a new tank and have it installed, But they will not sell you a used tank. If you do have your own tank you have to prove ownership, a receipt with serial number from a valid company. When I was in Kansas back many years ago, I bought a 250 gallon tank and brought it home. Then, I found a place in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania that reconditions them. They had a very cheap price on tanks to move some. So, I went up and bought two 500 gallon tanks.

Around here, if you own your own tank, the prices drop significantly. Yes, you are responsible for tank maintenance, but that is no big deal for me.

The prices are cheaper in the summer, and more expensive in mid winter. I have several 100 pound tanks that I fill with my wet leg. In the middle of winter, if I need more propane before the price will most likely drop, I bring them into the shop to heat them up, and then blow them back into the main tank via the wet leg.