Old style LP gas tank uses

[Tlag]

I've got a couple of the old non-safety-valve 20lbs LP gas tanks. They are in really good condition, but are illegal to fill with gas these days.

I was thinking about converting one to use as a portable air tank. Has anyone done this.

I thought I'd just spin the old valve off and fit it with a regulator, but soon realized that the old valve wasn't going to come off easily. Any tips or tricks for removing these old valves?

What about other uses for these obsolete tanks?

 

[kbs2244]

I belive the swap out tank places will take them in trade.
It may be a law that they have to in order to get them out use.
They are a pain to try and get the valve out of.
They are threaded and glued.

 

[Tlag]

I belive the swap out tank places will take them in trade.
It may be a law that they have to in order to get them out use.
They are a pain to try and get the valve out of.
They are threaded and glued.

I'll check on that trade in. That might be the path of least resistance.

 

[jamesemery728]

Took mine to Wally World the other day and traded it in for a brand new style full of propane for $19.50. They get almost $30.00 at Sams for just a new empty tank. What a deal, what a country, God Bless the USA.

 

[Tlag]

Took mine to Wally World the other day and traded it in for a brand new style full of propane for $19.50. They get almost $30.00 at Sams for just a new empty tank. What a deal, what a country, God Bless the USA.

Right on both counts. I just bought one at Sam's for 29 and change. Today's paper has an ad for 16.99 (with $3 rebate) for an exchange. About a year and a half ago I recall buying one at Sam's for 22 or 23 and change.

I've heard some places won't take the old ones in exchange. I guess I'll just have to find one that does.

 

[Bustawrench]

I've got a couple of the old non-safety-valve 20lbs LP gas tanks. They are in really good condition, but are illegal to fill with gas these days.

I was thinking about converting one to use as a portable air tank. Has anyone done this.

I thought I'd just spin the old valve off and fit it with a regulator, but soon realized that the old valve wasn't going to come off easily. Any tips or tricks for removing these old valves?

What about other uses for these obsolete tanks?

24" pipe wrench and maybe a dead blow hammer to get things moving.

 

[Tlag]

24" pipe wrench and maybe a dead blow hammer to get things moving.

Holding a round tank while torquing the wrench is a trick too. I've tried bracing it using a long pipe through the top handles, but the handles started bending before the valve was even close to being loose.

 

[IDASHO]

They work great for hydraulic fluid tanks.

Ive got one on my wood splitter, it replaced the tiny factory installed tank

 

[babzog]

Brace it and aim a torch at the threads. Light the torch and hide. The valve will come out of there in short order and the only thing working hard will be your heart!

 

[Ramblur]

I pump/sell LP at my RV Park. I realize that tank exchanges are convenient,
just know that in most cases your lucky to get 17 lbs. of LP and I've seen
them as low as 15 Lbs. RIPOFF! BTW,they made a special wrench(go figure) for
removing those valves. The old style(non-OPD) tanks have been illegal
for years now.

 

[Junkman]

I just take them to Wally World and pay the base fee for the swap. I live next to a campground, and people routinely put full tanks that are the old style at the dumpster. I take them home, and have an adapter that screws into the old valve and mates up with the new design hose end. Use up the gas, and then exchange it for a full tank. I must have at least 10 of the new valve design tanks, and an equal amount of old valve design tanks. I only exchange in the winter when I run out of propane. In the summer, I mostly get them for free when people buy a new gas grille and the old tank will not work on the new regulator hose.

 

[kbs2244]

Junkman has the plan!

 

[Slick6]

We've used one as an air booster tank, going from 1/4" to 3/8" air hose for our 3/4" drive impact.

 

[russlaferrera]

I use a ratcheting strap around the tank twice and a tree to hold the tank from spinning. I made a tool to turn the valve because you can't get a good grip with a pipe wrench
because of the cage around the valve. If you do not want to make a tool. Grind off the welds holding the cage.

The valve is put on with a sealant/locktite. It is tight, but it will come off.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I use a ratcheting strap around the tank twice and a tree to hold the tank from spinning. I made a tool to turn the valve because you can't get a good grip with a pipe wrench
because of the cage around the valve. If you do not want to make a tool. Grind off the welds holding the cage.

The valve is put on with a sealant/locktite. It is tight, but it will come off.

How much do the new valves cost? Great idea for retaining the tank. I have two of them with the old valves.

Charles

 

[jtrace]

From what I recall when I worked at a rental store that fiiled propane tanks after 12 years (maybe 10 I dont remember) the tank has to be receritified,add that to the price of a new valve I think it would be cheaper to exchange a tank then( which isnt full when you get it like someone said) then just refill that tank when needed. We had the tool there to take the valves off it was still a pain,you had to take the handle off strap the tank down then use the tool to remove the valve which is very tight and sealed.

John

 

[Mr_fixit]

Our scrap yard takes them ands sells them back to the company that refurbishes them.

 

[Quiksilver]

I think it was JC Whitney that used to sell air tank conversions for them, not sure if they still do.

 

[Bigrhamr]

Well heading in a little different direction with a little fab work you can make "Propane pigs" out of them. 4 little pipes for legs, another pipe with the end capped and 2 holes in it for a snout, a curly piece of wire for a tail, paint 'em pink and sell at craft shows or a saturday market. They also make a cool little outdoor fireplace. Just don't blow yourself up cutting and welding on them and if you do don't come crying to me about it

 

[mhm993]

I was wondering when the cutting and welding and blowing up part would come up...........

 

[Tlag]

I was wondering when the cutting and welding and blowing up part would come up...........

Speaking of explosions. How do you "purge" any last propane out of them. I thought I'd heard you can use nitrogen, but is there a technique? I saw the propane guy purge the air out of my new one but didn't know it was something I should have been paying attention to. I know he used a screwdriver on the side of the valve.

 

[Rocket]

Here's what to do with 2 differnt size LPG bottles.
Some years ago I added the front tank.
I just made a 'Moon' style tank out of them.
I cut off all the bases & tops, then cut the smaller one in half & welded it to each end.
I then welded a radiator top on to take a cap & added a line in from the radiator (brass fitting with a drop tube) & then an over flow pipe.
I now have a sealed overflow system

 

[kartracer23]

I had a (small) one from a Weber Charcoal Grill - basically a 'starter' tank. Trash won't take it, they won't take it at the scrap yard. The valve has been open for a couple of years now, so I assume it's pretty well drained.

My neighbor has two of the old style sitting by his house (don't get me started on how I've enjoyed seeing them sitting there for the last 3 years) that he can't get rid of. Maybe I'll tell him about the exchange program.

 

[gerry]

Leave the old valve in place. Use a POL fitting to a tee or cross for a hose, fill schrader valve and guage. I have three or four that I use for air set up like this. Mighty handy. BTW, the existing valve is far better than any new valve you could replace it with.

 

[russlaferrera]

Propane is heavier than air. To purge a tank you have to put air in the tank, than turn it upside down letting all the gas out.

Proof of this, will be evident when the smell of propane is sensed.

 

[HOTFR8]

Propane is heavier than air. To purge a tank you have to put air in the tank, than turn it upside down letting all the gas out.

Proof of this, will be evident when the smell of propane is sensed.

Propane is actualy odorless and has to have an agent added so you can smell it if it is leaking.

Rocket that is a neat tank you made. No doubt you will make fuel tanks for the new truck the same way ?

 

[Rocket]

Good one Simon

I had thought of using the domestic style of tanks under my Pickup, but had not considered using some out of date ones for petrol until I got the thing built & rego'd.
I was a little closed minded & fingured on just buying some out of date automotive ones & buying the same size ones later.
I think the domestic style tanks are available for use in automotive applications, so I even reckon I've seen some out of date ones stacked some where & locally
Now I've just got to remember WHERE ??

 

[HOTFR8]

Good one Simon

I had thought of using the domestic style of tanks under my Pickup, but had not considered using some out of date ones for petrol until I got the thing built & rego'd.
I was a little closed minded & fingured on just buying some out of date automotive ones & buying the same size ones later.
I think the domestic style tanks are available for use in automotive applications, so I even reckon I've seen some out of date ones stacked some where & locally
Now I've just got to remember WHERE ??

Should be easy for you to make them and they would suit that truck of yours very well

 

[Rocket]

Should be easy for you to make them and they would suit that truck of yours very well

I had thought of running them as out board tanks (eg like a truck) but run under the rear doors, so you'd have to climb up them to gain access, but that may look a little funny (bit like a sleeper cab)

anyway, I think I'm now going to widen the chassis anyway, so they will be inboard & you won't se them.

 

[mattlikesbikes]

My dad took a couple of them and cut small holes in them and welded in 6inch lengths of threaded pipe. Threw a cap on it and he had metal gas cans.

Granted he did this in the 70's. They are still around and being used. You could just as easily use them for water though.

 

[HOTFR8]

I had thought of running them as out board tanks (eg like a truck) but run under the rear doors, so you'd have to climb up them to gain access, but that may look a little funny (bit like a sleeper cab)

anyway, I think I'm now going to widen the chassis anyway, so they will be inboard & you won't se them.

A sleeper cab on your truck now with the extended cab would not work. Mounting the tanks as you suggest would be good and what I expected you would be doing. You would only see them if you looked underneath and then they would look like LPG tanks or if at a later date you add LPG the tanks can be changed over easily using the same mountings.

 

[Rocket]

A sleeper cab on your truck now with the extended cab would not work. Mounting the tanks as you suggest would be good and what I expected you would be doing. You would only see them if you looked underneath and then they would look like LPG tanks or if at a later date you add LPG the tanks can be changed over easily using the same mountings.

NO !! Ya wally
I was having a dig at YOU
Who'd want a sleeper cab

 

[HOTFR8]

NO !! Ya wally
I was having a dig at YOU

I had a good laugh...

Who'd want a sleeper cab

ME..... In my situation it gives me me four seats the sleeper cabs ones are factory so easy for my engineer and the seat belt requirments as they are all standard.

 

[Rocket]

I had a good laugh...



ME..... In my situation it gives me me four seats the sleeper cabs ones are factory so easy for my engineer and the seat belt requirments as they are all standard.

na nana na (mines goanna have 6)
& 2 gas tanks

 

[porschedude996TT]

My local K-Mart people are so dense I could have taken an empty barrel of Lard and they would exchange it.

 

[porschedude996TT]

My dad took a couple of them and cut small holes in them and welded in 6inch lengths of threaded pipe. Threw a cap on it and he had metal gas cans.

Granted he did this in the 70's. They are still around and being used. You could just as easily use them for water though.

Now that's a clever idea.

 

[HOTFR8]

na nana na (mines goanna have 6)
& 2 gas tanks

You must have a big family

I wonder how a tank like that would work for an air tank or to carry water ?
An air tank on a vehicle is always handy.

 

[Rocket]

You must have a big family

just lots of hanger ons

I wonder how a tank like that would work for an air tank or to carry water ?
An air tank on a vehicle is always handy.

They work very well. I've done air thing before too
I wouldn't mind finding some old truck horns to the new shop truck, so an air tank would be nice, but I think one that large is a bit of overkill

 

[HOTFR8]

just lots of hanger ons

Seriously you need to tell them to find their own wheels

They work very well. I've done air thing before too
I wouldn't mind finding some old truck horns to the new shop truck, so an air tank would be nice, but I think one that large is a bit of overkill

I may have to have a talk to you about that next time I see you as an air tank under mine would be handy but not to big as I do not have the room. Truck horns How about a set of Trainhorns ? I can help you out with them if you need I've fitted a set under mine.

 

[Rocket]

Seriously you need to tell them to find their own wheels

I may have to have a talk to you about that next time I see you as an air tank under mine would be handy but not to big as I do not have the room. Truck horns How about a set of Trainhorns ? I can help you out with them if you need I've fitted a set under mine.

Yep, air tanks are pretty easy to set up, even converted an old air compressor from an air con unit once.
A small electric compressor is nice, as you can put a pressure cut out switch in there, then the tank is always full. Just plug in the hose and it's all auto (non of this drag the compressor around to each tyre )

TRAIN HORNS
I don't think I'll even ask where you got them from.
Actually now that you mention it, an old fashoned steam train horn would be funny (anybody remember a comedian called Wess Harrison ??)