Testing propane bottles

It has been burning in the back of my mind for days now, and 37Chief's post, almost got highjacked. It set me off. The first of the week, I needed to fill my 100 lb propane bottle, and took it to the feed store, to get filled, and was told that it wouldn't be filled, till I had it recertified. they told me where to go in Spanaway, to get it recertified. I didn't want to drive 15 miles, to Spanaway, so I took it to a Chevron station in Yelm, that I was sure were pretty lax on checking dates. Sure enough the lady who was going to fill it, didn't check it for date, and started to fill the bottle. Every time she tried, propane would leak out around her filler valve. She finally told me that I had a bad valve and needed to take it in for recert. SOOOO I drove to Spanaway and went to get a Recertification. The guy at the propane Co. set the bottle down on the drive in the bottle filling area, and told me it would cost $ 7.00, plus gas to fill it, never once looked the bottle over, and filled it, and grabbed a electric vibrating pencil, and scratched some illedgeble stuff on the top shield, and sent me on my way, after of course paying for the gas and recert. The only saving grace to the whole fiasco, was the cheaper propane price. Don't professionals care if a bottle is bad? Or if it blows up on me? Why no testing procedures? OH by the way, my valve was good, but as I found out later, the filling hose at the Chevron station, had been dropped on the concrete drive, and had a big owee on the brass nipple.

I also use a 100 pound cylinder for my shop booster heater, just untill fire gets going. Anyway 2 years ago had the smell of gas for several days, valve was off. I finally noticed that the very old cylinder was leaking at the bottom. It could have very bad, Called gas company (their cylinder) and they replaced it that day, for free. It costs a little bit but is nice , call and in a day or two they deliver and pick it up. I use about one and a half per year. joe

We use ours, just on the gas range in the kitchen, But what burns me, was IF bottle condition is such a safety concern, that the suppliers wont refill it,THEN WHY didn't the recertifier, at least look the bottle over, and act like he was doing something, and being a little concerned? After all! I had just driven 15 miles and used up 3 hours time, of my day, and still had to drive home!

Why didn't you ask the recertifier this question? After you got your tank recertified, filled, and paid for of course. TDF

Yes, your story doesn't surprise me a bit! We just need to have our own engraving pencil! We could at least tip the tank over and look at the bottom, maybe tap it a little with a small ball pein hammer, have a better idea of how safe it is.

Propane cylinders are supposed to be visually inspected 12 yr after MFG date and every 5yr after that. Cylinder is to be stamped with the month and year followed by an E. Inspector is to record all data from cylinder and keep it.

I forgot to say the tank was rusted at the bottom. joe

Its been 27 years since I had the inspection book open, I'll try to go by memory here.
The type of inspection depends on the age of the tank and the last recertification date. I've forgotten the time span. Most of the time they only need a visual inspection, a lot of it depends on the outside condition of the tank. Any dents or bends in the metal and the tank should be removed from service. Every so many years the inspector must remove the valve and do a internal visual. They are supposed to be hydroed every so many years, but again I have forgotten those dates. hopefully some one with a better memory or a certified inspector will chime in with a better explanation.

And what did you really expect him to do for $7.00?

He did exactly what you paid him to do; a visual inspection; by a US DOT VIN holder; that extends the certification date by 5 years.

If you want a volumetric expansion test that will extend the test date by 12 years
Or a proof pressure test that will extend the test date by 7 years
You will have to go to a US DOT RIN holder and pay for those test.

All new tanks are given a volumetric expansion test at the time of manufacture so they are good for 12 years from the manufacture date.

Ralph, Trade it in at a Blue Rhino stop . Fred Meyers, Safeway, etc all have them. Their tanks ARE still in cert and they DO NOT check yours!

I have never seen that kind of an exchange for a 100 pounder.

Had a 20 pounder that was covered with surface rust. The station said they couldn't fill because of rust. So I wire brushed the tank and spray painted with white paint, they filled it without another look.Easy fix for that one , and they never look at dates on them.

Missed the 100# bottle Russ.