The propane tank has always caused me concern. First, its from 1977 and I wondered if it was still sound and safe to use. Second, it took an adapter to fill with modern equipment. Third, after filling it the valve would leak propane gas out until I tapped with a screw driver to better seat it. And finally, the remote gauge inside the RV didn't always showed the same propane level regardless how full or empty the tank was.

I did some research on just replacing the tank. Not possible. No one makes a tank of this size and no one makes RV permanant tanks with the feet on the bottom. These days the tanks hang not stand. There is certainly someone out there who could make such a tank, but refurbishing the existing tank looked like a better option.

I called around to different propane shops and learned that tanks have to be DOT certified, and that certification only lasts something like 5 years. But permanantly mounted tanks like mine aren't subject to DOT rules. They are subject to ASME rules. There is apparently no recertification rule. I didn't dig too deep here. The take away though is that finding someone who works on ASME tanks is rare.

I took my tank to AAA Propane in Arvada Colorado. Its an old school mom and pop shop. They performed all the work and had it back to me in a week. I am happy with the results.

I also plan to replace the regulator and flexible line from the tank to the bulk head flange. That bulk head flanges uses a 5/8" flare fitting which is not at all common these days. That is why AAA Propane left the regulator and line alone. They did test the existing regulator and found it works fine. Still, I will make this a complete overhaul by replacing the regulator and flexible line. The parts are on order.

I have yet to fill the tank and use it since refurbishment.

Movies

Bad ground for propane tank gauge.mp4 (15.5MB)

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Smll Med Lrg Before	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg
Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg Original sticker is in better shape than the paint on the tank. Ha.	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg
Smll Med Lrg Someone replaced the single stage regulator with a two stage unit	Smll Med Lrg I will replace that regulator and flexible line just to be safe	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg
Smll Med Lrg 5/8	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg The tank does mount securely to the metal frame. Its not just wood like I thought originally	Smll Med Lrg
Smll Med Lrg Only one bolt broke. Not bad	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg
Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg Wow, this compartment actually has reinforcement. Better than I thought	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg
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Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg Original fill valve which requires and adapter to fill at any current propane station
Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg After	Smll Med Lrg
Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg	Smll Med Lrg New seal in on/off valve	Smll Med Lrg New purge valve
Smll Med Lrg New fill valve which won't require adapter	Smll Med Lrg New seal under sender unit	Smll Med Lrg 1977 tank holds 19.3 gallons = 65 lbs of propane. Made by Manchester Tank & Equip Co	Smll Med Lrg Max working pressure is 312 PSI at 300 degrees fahrenheit
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