I just saw a propane web site advertised on television and thought that it might be an interesting read.

It lists the states that REQUIRE the OPD valves. Surprising just how many DO NOT have that requirement. Perhaps our vendors are getting a little over zealous.

The web site is at: http://www.usepropane.com It also has an energy savings calculator. Sometimes some of you ask about one energy source vs. another.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 18, 2002

Answers

Thanks, my vender is apparently overzelous as are those convenience store exchange places. Will keep checking, has to be some vendor out there that knows the law and wants my money.

By way I asked guy at big ACE hardware about those valves since they used to sell the old POL valves. He said right now he couldnt get one, but to wait 6 months and he'd probably have them. Nice hardware store for hard to find items.

-- Hermitjohn (Hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), April 19, 2002.

Thought it was FEDERAL...

April 1st was the effective date on the OPD valves regulation on "transportable" propane tanks (in Nebraska anyway). You cannot go to the local CO-OP, etc., to fill any "transportable" bottle/tank (ex: 20# bottle/tank used commonly for gas grills, etc.) without a OPD valve on it. You can hang on to your tank all you want, but you can't get it filled. You can buy a new tank, or pay somebody "authorized" to sell you and install a new valve on your old bottle (costs around the same as buying a new one complete though).

'Tis true. Tried to get ours filled yesterday, and they will NOT fill it.

Came home and phoned the neighbors...they have a device rigged up on their big propane supply tank that they've used for 30-40 years (approved by the "authorities", but probably not anymore...who knows). Used to run a propane tractor; and they use it to fill their small tank. They are going to let us just buy a fillup from them when needed...unless they are forced to get rid of their fill device as a result of this new reg...then we'll all break down and buy new tanks, I guess. We use ours with a weed burner attachment, and we really need it.

Yep, seems pretty "overzealous", for the vendors to be pushing the OPDs, if you're in a state where its not required. But then, if they can make money...

-- teddy in NE (millerfam@panhandle.net), April 19, 2002.

Teddy, whatever you do don't tell anyone else about your neighbor filling your bottle for you as he could get in big trouble.

I still hope that he fills it with a set of scales instead of just relying on the bleeder valve. I fill my own and use scales, however if I were immediately going to use the bottle on a weed burner I wouldn't bother with the scales, just fill until she blows. lol.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 20, 2002.

The law about new valves is in effect. We use many small bottles on our property. The 5 gallon kind can be changed out pretty easily with a local company. In California, we can get them at the local grocery store, via, a local propane company. Cost for a trade in is about $22.00, and then we can fill the new bottle anywhere. We have some odd sized bottles that will need a new valve, this can be purchased at the local propane company,(they want to see the bottle, before they sell us the valve)the valve is about $14.00, if we install it. Check with you local company's, and get the best price...

-- lacyj (hillharmony@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002.