Propane Replacement Tanks - $$$$$$$

[cruisingmom]

So, it rebuilding my propane regulator/solenoid system I realized the two tanks are shot (old style valves and much evidence of 20 years of service). Hamilton Marine has new aluminum tanks for $300 ea. and Home Depot have your garden variety propane tanks for $32 ea. I am absolutely sure that the marine tanks will hold up longer and have salt spray corrosion resistance numbers but if I can trade in the Home depot ones each time for new - why wouldn't I go that route - obviously I am missing something significant. Also can you install the Home Depot ones on their side Vs. upright - Someone here must know and have researched this same issue before.
Please give me your perspective

[xort]

I believe side storage requires special tanks.

as for Ho Depot tanks, I think it depends on the storage location. If it's going to get a lot of salt spray I'd go with aluminum tanks.
Check with Blue Rhino to see if they have 'condition' rules. They may reject returned tanks with rust on them??

There is definitely an upside to the exchangable tanks. Filling stations are getting harder to find as exchange is taking over the business.

[WanderingStar]

Horizontal tanks have different plumbing. I use a steel horizontal, I got it on ebay, not too bad. I figured the old one was steel, and lasted many years. There are plastic (fg?) bottles now too, but maybe not horizontal ones.

[msulc]

We also have some tanks that do have the old style valves without safety features. I was thinking about getting the fiberglass tanks similar to this (www litecylinder com) but have not heard much discussion about them. Seems like a great feature to see how much propane you have in your tank.

[JohnRPollard]

I just thought I'd chime in and mention that replacing the old valves with the new OPD valves is not expensive. If you already have aluminum tanks, this would be a much better approach than switching over to the cheap steal ones.

Personally, I would not want steal tanks on our boat. The steal tanks for our home grill begin to rust in a few months of exposure to the elements.

As XORT mentioned, if it's a horizontal mount tank, it has a different valve (not OPD).

[FSMike]

cruisingmom -
I don't know where you are but if you plan on swapping tanks don't plan on visiting too many island nations, at least not in the Caribbean area. Swapping tanks is not normal business down there.

[Cruisingdad]

If stuck in the US, I would really look at the very minimal investment of swapping the tanks. Going off again... no way.

I just made my secondary purchase (horiz aluminum) at the bargain price of about $250 ish as I sweet talked West Marine on one they had already in stock that no one had bought in a long while.

I would look into either changing my propane locker to accomodate a vertical aluminum (NOT HORIZ, they are insanely expensive, as you have seen) or bite the bullet and just get the horiz aluminum that fit. I would certainly look into the fiberglass tanks if it were me. You can see how much fuel you have, IIRC. I am thinking about one for our grill that would remain exposed to the elements. It could sit vertical. If you can convert to vertical, I personally think the fiberglass tanks are worth considering... but I have no direct experience with them yet.

Brian

[mitiempo]

The new fiberglass tanks ara as light as aluminum and corrosion free. Easy to check level. And less expensive than aluminum. I have one and will get a second one. These are the Trident but there are others as well.

[PorFin]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

As XORT mentioned, if it's a horizontal mount tank, it has a different valve (not OPD).

Well, half right and half not quite complete. Yes, horizontal tanks require horizontal valves. And horizontal tanks CAN be built with OPD valves.

What I THINK John meant to say was that you can't just pop a standard OPD valve from AmeriGas meant for vertical tanks onto a horizontal tank and think you're good-to-go. A OPD for a horizontal tank is a separate valve IN ADDITION to the output valve that connects to the regulator (and solenoid if equipped.)

Carry on...

[scottyt]

here is a slightly sneaky statement

home depot this days does not "check" the old tank. you go inside pay for the swap out, then out side you scan the receipt and it pops open a door for the old/empty then pops open a door for a full one. heck you can pay out side with a credit card at any time night or day.

i even saw someone put in a 2x4 that was the right height instead of a tank and it worked fine. so doing an old tank should not be a problem, i am sure they just swap valves, test and paint them if needed anyway.