OPD Valves on LP tanks.....??

[grigsby]

I was informed last week that the LP tanks on my 1996 travel trailer could not be filled (legally) by any facility because they are not equipped with Overflow Protection Device (OPD) valves. Is this true? Supposedly a Federal law went into effect in 2003 outlawing all tanks without this device. If so, can the present valves be replaced with OPD types? How cost-effective would that be? Would the tanks have to be inspected again? If so, how long would that inspection be good for? I can get brand-new 30-gal. tanks (filled)with the correct valves for $68.00 apiece...

Bushrod:confused:

[whodo]

The law was changed and OPD valves are now a federal requirement & the length of time a reinspected tank is good for can be found here.
http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=530

Now concerning cost, that would depend upon who & where was doing the replacement valves and filling versus buying new tanks, but to me the price you quoted for filled 30 gallon tanks sounds reasonable.

[debandi]

Regarding the cost.. If the tanks are original to the 1996 RV you have, then they are nearing their designed life span and will need an OPD valve installed and inspected. The tanks will need to be reinspected at five year intervals after that. The original tanks have a date stamp on the collar around the valve and cannot be used after that date without inspection regardless of the valve type.
So, it would be better to get new tanks and not have to worry about them for several years.

[frank]

If it were me I would get new tanks. They will be good for a long time if you have them tested at the end of their first life and get them recertified.

The only way to go!!

Enjoy!!

[trpwire]

They make good 100 yard targets, they ring out loud when you hit them.

[2campersvt]

trade them in /exchange them full when you get emback and then you don,t have to worry about insp.'s or valves again ,must be insp. every 8-10 yrs by law gas association reg.

[utmtman]

Tanks have to be reinspected every 12 years. No matter who made them or where. The date is on the top of the tank around the valve shield.

[prell]

Tank testing must be done within 12 years from date of manufacture then every 5 years after that within the US. Canada is every 10 years.

[jdensie]

Also the State of Pa. requires that all tanks be inspected every 10 years.