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Discussion Forum

Propane tank to compressed air tank

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Zira

03-03-2002 10:05:34




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Okay, theere seems to be a consensus that propant tanks make good air tanks, & there is a goodly supply of used ones around. So, how does one make this consversion? If I remove the valve from the tank, is the opening a standard pipe thread? Do I keep the valve & use the connection from the regulator? Weld a pipe to the tank (I am looking at an aluminum tank so would prefer not to have to do that)?

Thanks

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John A

03-04-2002 21:01:34




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
I belive what you boys are talking about is what
we call a portable air tank or air bubble! A 20 lb freon 12 tank is a better choice. No welding
the adapter with valve & hose can be bought at most Hardware store or tractor supply type stores.
Now a big 150 gal propane to 1000 gal NH3 tank
can be plumed into an existing compressor with
few modifications. Primarly a drain . If no plug
is there to take out. It can be tricky!!!!!
I cut the end cap out of a 150 gal propane tank
to mak a new BBQ pit.
1st take valve out, let tank stand out for 6mon.
to a year.
2nd fill with H20 and drain numerious times 3rd set on HD saw horses , refill, H20, full
Decied what is to be done!! drill hole for drain And location.
4th rotate tank so there is no chance of air pocket at drill site.
5th wrap drill with a damp rag to minimize any chance of a spark, drill till hole is through ,
tap and install valve

I say again do anything with an old LP tank is not for the faint of heart. LP impregnates the steel and stays there for a long long time.
If you are not sure, don't do it at all

John A

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Greg

03-07-2002 08:39:01




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 Re: Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to John A, 03-04-2002 21:01:34  
I just bought a 120 gallon air tank, CERTIFIED, for $200.00. If you look around a bit, used but good tanks are available. IMHO, it is not wise to try and save money and take a risk of getting someone hurt. The mention in another post about insurance being no good using uncertified or incorrect use tanks is certainly well taken, at least in my case. It got me to thinking and caused me to reconsider and buy a certified tank. Accidents can happen, but better to be safe, and poorer, than sorry!! I called almost every compressor company in Phoenix, but found this tank less than a mile from my shop. All the best.....Greg

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Jim

03-04-2002 14:46:53




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
I have made several from propane tanks and the first thing is pour soome light weight oil in and then set upside down and let the oil and smelley oil drain ( this is waht makes propane smell)out then the threads are standard pipe threads. check over for any rusty areas and if posible hydro test ( this is done by fill ing with water and put air on to 1&1/2 times working prasure , this should be done ever 5 years on any air tank that you use) just my 2 cents worth.

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Vic

03-04-2002 13:26:20




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
A friend decided to make an oil reservoir for a log splitter out of an aluminum propane tank. He removed the end coner and filled it with water then dryed it out and turned it upside down to allow any residual propane to fall out the bottom. Then he started welding..... ..WHOOOOO SH..... .. and a big ball of flame shot out of the end opening. Luckily he wasn't in the way and the opening in the end of the tank allowed the flame to escape without an explosion. Never weld on a tank and especially if it is a propane tank.

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Zira

03-04-2002 14:16:27




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 Re: Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Vic, 03-04-2002 13:26:20  
Just to clarify, I was not planning to weld on a propane tank, I don't know how to weld (especially aluminum), don't have a welder, and know better. Having seen several people on this forum recommend using propane tanks and/or state they did so themselves, I was trying to find out what was involved. It sounds like removing the valve & screwing in another fitting is all that is needed (plus a drain valve). But thanks for your concern, it's nice to know that you guys like me better in one piece than several. Now, if I can just get my wife to cancel that extra insurance....

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llamas

03-05-2002 04:33:44




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 Re: Re: Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-04-2002 14:16:27  
Speaking of insurance - if there is an accident, and you are using an air receiver not ASME-certified for that service, your insurance just expired.

Propane tanks are most definitely NOT certified for that service. Same applies to Freon tanks reused as air "bubbles" and so forth.

llater,

llamas



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John Ne.

03-04-2002 13:20:25




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
Seen them used in farm shops a lot, the air does smell like propane for awhile. Adapting a fitting shouldn't be too bad, but remember to drill and tap in a water drain, or she'll rust out and burst in a few years. Now how to get all the gases out so you can drill it safely??? John in Nebraska



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Nathan(GA)

03-04-2002 08:41:12




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
You can buy a factory made air tank for $40 or less, if your talking the small ones.

It would average $8000 for a good funeral!

Never seen an aluminum propane tank that I recall.



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John S-B

03-04-2002 07:49:54




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
NEVER,NEVER,NEVER,EVER WELD A TANK!!! Did I mention you should'nt ever weld a tank?



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mike

03-04-2002 06:52:00




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
I think this is an extrordinarily bad idea.



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Greg

03-07-2002 09:08:03




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 Re: Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to mike, 03-04-2002 06:52:00  
I absolutely agree with you 110%, Mike!! This thread reminds me of an incident that happened in a small town in Indiana where I grew up. In the middle 1980's, a man that I went to school with owned a Skelgas dealership. He was the third generation to own the store and had restored his dad's '51 Ford propane truck and used it in parades, etc. One Sunday morning, he and his grandson went to the store to inflate the grandson's bike tires. He was using a small compressor like we all own in our garages, and was using a 100 pound propane bottle for an air receiver. Nobody knows for sure what happened, but the bodies of the man and his grandson were never found. The engine from his old resored truck was found in a farmer's barn nearly two miles away!! Pieces of propane tanks and other debris were found all over the place. Fortunately, the business was on the outskirts of this little town and his large propane storage tank was far enough away from the building that it held and caused no concern. No one else was hurt. The insurance company for the Skelgas dealer refused to pay for the damage to the business and for the numerous windows that were blown out of neighboring residences due to the improper use of a propane tank as an air receiver!! Best regards..... ....Greg

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Johnbob

03-03-2002 16:13:38




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
I use the adapter that is usad on R.V.tanks.
It has left hand threads on one end and 1/4 R/H male on the other.



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old bones

03-03-2002 12:37:41




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 Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to Zira, 03-03-2002 10:05:34  
i did this with a 100# cylinder for a portable tank. the threads in the tank were common pipe threads. i don't think you can keep the valve on, unless you can find an adapter (i couldn't), as the threads coming out of the valve assembly are left-handed. also, the air coming out will smell of propane for awhile, but it goes away. as far as welding on a propane tank, i don't feel comfortable welding on one. i wouldn't want to take a chance on a seam opening up under pressure, and i'd be leary of what heat would do with the propane vapors.

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Ray,IN

03-04-2002 16:48:18




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 Re: Re: Propane tank to compressed air tank in reply to old bones, 03-03-2002 12:37:41  
Zira, I have made air tanks from LPG tanks a few times. The first thing to do is remove the 3/4" pipe thread valve from the tank and invert the tank to allow all the gas to vent(heavier than air). I usually let the tank set inverted for a week to err on the side of caution. I use a 3/4" close nipple in the tank to a tee, one side of the tee is the supply and the other is the working pressure side where the regulator is attached. Put a small drain valve were its convenient on the tank bottom. Then all that's left is to mount the motor/compressor atop the horizontal tank, and wheels if you want them. I weld the mounting brackets to the tank, but then my uncle is a pipefitter and gives me great welding advice. That's my method of doing it, don't follow it on my say so though.

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