Propane tank opinion request from photos

hello all. see pictures attached. i’m contemplating on making the purchase on marketplace. it’s cheap so i don’t mind loosing the money if it ends up not working out. because these things are very expensive around my area. the person that posted it is not very communicative so i’m hoping to get as many opinions as i can elsewhere.

looking for opinions on what to do once i get it and what to look out for? do i need separate attachments to attach to a generator (what i would be using this for)? is there a way to tell the size of this thing just from the pics and some of the sticker info? is there a place where i can take it that would tell me the condition and/or if it’s refillable and/or if in working condition. i would assume the propane refill place but i’m wondering if they will say, we dont’ want to deal with stuff like that, we’re just here to refill not to repair lol.

thank you

Attachments:

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Based on the first photo I believe that tank will not be able to be refilled unless the valve on the top is replaced if that is even possible. The new valves have a more triangle shaped knob on the top vs the star type you see there. Search for “OPD Valve” and you can see photos. I wouldnt buy this regardless of price TBH.

That is a 100 lb tank, don’t know that they have phased out the old valves yet…? Pretty sure its over 12 years old and will need to be recertified. Find a place that exchanges 100 lb’ers. Might need to go directly to Ferrell or someone who sells bulk.

The triangle handle OPD valve thing is only for tanks up to 40# as far as I know. Tanks can only be filled for 12 years after manufacture and then they need to be recertified which you’d have to pay for. I think the manufacture date is the rust spots two lines up from the “r” in Manchester but I can’t make it out at all from these pictures.

Reef W wrote:

The triangle handle OPD valve thing is only for tanks up to 40# as far as I know.

Thanks for the clarification. I wasnt able to determine how big those tanks were from the photos since I am staring at my phone.

Another thing, for any 100lb tank, is you are supposed to transport them upright. Besides being unsafe a lot of places just won’t fill it if they see you are transporting on side. They also weigh about 170lb full. Make sure you actually can transport and move a 100lb before getting anything.

Wow. Thank you SO SO much for your inputs guys! Helps a ton!

Just checked my area propane place and they said it’s $10 to recertify. which is truly worth it IF it works out. online, maybe about 8 months or so ago, i saw a 100 pound tank at walmart for $99. now, i’m not even seeing it at all for sale, likely sold out. and the larger ones available are 300 and 400 🤦🏻‍♂️

They will re certify that tank for under 20 bucks and then fill it for you. If your getting it for cheap it’s well worth it

Bearcat89 wrote:

They will re certify that tank for under 20 bucks and then fill it for you. If your getting it for cheap it’s well worth it

that’s what i’m thinking bearcat. thank you ♥

Anne Cleves wrote:

hello all. see pictures attached. i’m contemplating on making the purchase on marketplace. it’s cheap so i don’t mind loosing the money if it ends up not working out. because these things are very expensive around my area. the person that posted it is not very communicative so i’m hoping to get as many opinions as i can elsewhere.

looking for opinions on what to do once i get it and what to look out for? do i need separate attachments to attach to a generator (what i would be using this for)? is there a way to tell the size of this thing just from the pics and some of the sticker info? is there a place where i can take it that would tell me the condition and/or if it’s refillable and/or if in working condition. i would assume the propane refill place but i’m wondering if they will say, we dont’ want to deal with stuff like that, we’re just here to refill not to repair lol.

thank you

He (they) know it needs to be recertified. You haven’t disclosed your location, but if in the metro there are several places around that fill & recertify. Like mentioned it needs to be transported UPRIGHT and have the cap that screws on over the valve. For me, no cap no deal.

Anne Cleves wrote:

do i need separate attachments to attach to a generator

Forgot about this part earlier. If your generator is currently connected to a regular 20lb tank this is POL (i assume, picture isn’t super clear) which is different. Simplest would be something like this to adapt it: https://a.co/d/bMZzrBQ

I used to fill 100 lbers for my garage heater and never transported them upright. They even helped me put them in the back of the truck laying down.

Depends where you get them filled some want them laying down some want them up. I have one tank that I got re-certify and the made date was 42′.

Lake Gas in Hager City will not fill a tank if they can’t be transported up right. Federal Law.
Others in Red Wing don’t care.

And technically, they should be chained in the upright position.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

Lake Gas in Hager City will not fill a tank if they can’t be transported up right. Federal Law.

Good for them.

I ran a rental business for several years. One of the items we rented were large LP heaters using 100 lb tanks, also oxy/acetylene torches w/tanks.
Some folks would get upset when they found out we could not let them leave the lot unless tanks were upright AND secured.