is changing propane shut off a DIY project?

[gus]

John,

After returning home to my own computer and taking another look at your photos I have another view of your setup.

The yellow round cap covers the filling valve hole which is self closing when the filler nozzle is removed. Your fill system is exactly the same as on my ancient home 250gal tank.

I think you have no 80% protection valve. The valve to the right is simply an on/off valve.  The gage next to this valve tells the person filling the tank when you have 80% but I see nothing to indicate you have an automatic overfill prevention device (OPD) as required on new tanks.

[John Z]

Gus, your right that the tank does not have an auto OPD on it. The manual 80% valve is to the right and down, of the main shut off. It is a bit hard to see in the photo. The head of the 80% valve is about the size of a dime. The manual valve works well unless you get some kid filling it who does not have a clue what he is doing.

This project is temp on hold for a few days, while i take care of some other things. I want to have the tank tested. Either that or replaced. Not sure which way i will wind up going.

[Eagle]

John I was in the propane business in the 70's.  Looking around the valves and gauge the safety ring may have been removed.  That tank may have been modified. I would replace the tank.  If you are close enough to Elkhart IN you should be able to find a tank at one of the salvage places.

[John Z]

BTC et al; thanks for all the input. Some really good info came in on this for me. I have given up on the old tank. It was last pressure tested in 1978. And i have no doubt that it is still sound. After considering the cost to have it tested and changed over to new valves and regulators i decided to pull it. I have ordered two 50 pound tanks, a new regulator with auto switchover, and a gas detector. All that is left is the hoses or lines to hook the new regulator to the bus system. Thanks again for all the help!

[buddydawg]

Be sure to update us and provide some photos when you make the switch.

[John Z]

I will take some photos of the project. I was told by the dealer that tanks over 40 pounds are not required to have the OPD valve. These 50 pound tanks have the small 80% fill valve like my big tank has. I liked that idea as it seems more foolproof than the OPD which is just something else to go wrong. The 80% valve is pretty bulletproof, open it, fill until gas starts to come out, stop filling!

I would like to get a manifold for the tank bay so i could put that in as i redo the gas runs. Anyone know if these are available before i head to town and start chasing around looking for them?

[gus]

John,

Unless you use a really large amount of LP I would recommend smaller tanks, maybe 30lb, which you can still carry when full and not have to find a place on the road that is accessible to your bus.

I did this with the 20lb tanks and have been grateful ever since for the absence of all the fuss trying to get the old permanent one filled. I would have preferred the 30lb tanks but they are too heavy for an old guy like me.

I think you can find brass manifolds at any auto supply store which have NPT threads into which you can screw your LP flare fittings.

[JackConrad]

John,
I think you can find brass manifolds at any auto supply store which have NPT threads into which you can screw your LP flare fittings.

    If you use NPT fittings, remeber to use a pipe thread compund that is approved for LP.  Jack