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Topic ClosedHow long does an average 20 LP tank last?
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 May 2018
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: How long does an average 20 LP tank last?
    Posted: 27 Sep 2018 at 9:30pm
You can just have the tank re-certified when the expiration date comes up and you do not need to get rid of the tank.
It’s not a big deal. They pressure test it and visually check it before recertifing the tank.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6285 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2018 at 9:49pm
The problem around here is finding a place that can and will do the hydrostatic pressure testing. There appear to be none near me. The only online link was for a place in California. Visual recertification is good for 5 years, but I can't even get a good read on where that can be done near me.
StephenH
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2018 at 4:20am
StephenH, maybe try this link for a testing station?

https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/rinlocator
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6285 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2018 at 9:54am
Thanks. That link is very helpful. I did find visual, ultrasonic, and hydrostatic testing sites within 50 miles of me.
StephenH
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 9:41am
Ok, just to try to put to bed the question on propane cylinders for RV vs BBQ use. I had put a call into FR last week to ask a couple of other questions about axles and side wall construction. I got a call back today so I asked about propane cylinders too. The tech sales guy I talked to confirmed that the propane cylinder shipped with the rPod is a standard DOT propane cylinder, nothing different about it from the exchange cylinders you get at your local hardware store or gas station.  

If anyone is interested, the standard for RV safety construction is NFPA 1192. You can view it online for free on the NFPA website if you register. This standard has all the requirements for types, mounting, clearances, ventilation, access, regulators, plumbing, etc for propane cylinders on RV's. I'd recommend that anyone considering changing from the standard tongue mount (or mounting heat producing things like generators near the propane cylinders) read this first. 
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 4:07pm
I have owned motor homes with RV tanks not the same as the propane tank on a Pod, or any standard propane tank (replaceable) mounted on a camper. My propane tanks on my Class C were refillable not replaceable. They are in fact heavier for obvious reasons. Kind of a silly drift to this post, is there anybody that doesn't know your tanks on your Pod are replaceable. It is a standard propane tank, like you swap at the Quickie Stop.
Mike Carter
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 6:51pm
Kind of gratuitous at this point, but in decades of dealing with propane tanks, mostly, but far from exclusively, 20 lb tanks, I have have never heard of 20 lb RV tanks versus 20 lb BBQ tanks.  Buying tanks, exchanging them, refilling them, no one has ever said, "Oh, you have a BBQ tank." or, "Do you want to swap for an RV tank?"  This thread is the first I've ever heard of this.  (So I don't think there are two different things.  Other than the permanent tanks on board some motor homes.)

I've never had to, or cared to, deal with re-certifying a 20 lb tank, but I've heard that if/when you go through the process the re-certification is only good for 5 years after which it can't be re-re-certified.  Don't know if that's true.  Not sure anyone would want a 17 year old tank anyway.  In most cases, long before it gets to that point, the highest value of the old tank would be to use it as a swap-out for a newer tank.  My opinion, of course.

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mcarter View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 7:00pm
+1 to TT
Mike Carter
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 7:34pm
Looks like the DOT requirements were revised last year and first re-certification must now be done at 10 years not 12. Recert by visual inspection is every 5 years thereafter, for as long as the cylinder passes. If you do volumetric expansion or proof pressure testing its every 10 years thereafter. Personally, I'm just going to keep swapping 'em at Wally World.
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 10:30pm
Originally posted by OldNeumanntapr

Ah, I would refrain from a ‘tank exchange’ because from what I know of them they are for BBQs, and BBQ tanks are thin walled and not heavy gauge like an RV tank. A BBQ tank is not safe to use in place of an RV tank because it is not strong enough to ward off a direct hit from a rock.

You can get an in-line LP gauge for about $25 that goes between the tank and the regulator. That will show you how much gas you have left.
\\

This post caused the "drift" so apparently not everyone knew the facts on this like you Mcarter.
Keith-N-Dar
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