Propane tank recertification along East Coast

[SVRocinante]

Thanks folks!

No Pete17C; they’re 9 lb Aluminum tanks.

That’s more or less where I am Sailorboy1; I’ve got 2 Aluminum tanks that are in great shape and usually get filled anyway, but are out of date. I recently added an 11 lb steel tank just so I have something that can get filled if I hit an area that’s more diligent in checking.

Thank you Orion Jim; I’ll give them a shout when I get up that way.

Thank you Geoff54; If CT doesn’t work out I’ll give them a shout.

Thanks again!

[john61ct]

Note it is trivial to rig up adapter / brackets to allow you to transfer from one tank to another yourself, outdoors of course.

So use one larger standard swappable bottle for picking up, fill up the others and use it up first, using the others as reserves.

Also good strategy in foreign waters, each new place having different swappables, but so cheap can consider almost disposable.

[SVRocinante]

Thank you John61ct - interesting thought.
Worse case scenario I can get my 11 lb steel tank filled, transfer to my aluminum tank and repeat... really want to get them recertified, but that might be a good interim solution until that happens.

[chouliha]

We did a write up for cruisers in french polynesia about filling your own propane tanks. Been doing it for years. If you resort to that avenue maybe our write up with pics would be helpful. jacarandajourney and look in “Other Good Stuff”.

Good luck

Chuck

[john61ct]

While in US waters, if you have room the 20# BBQ tanks are basically free when beat up, easily upgraded at any swap place just paying a few extra bucks for that first 4gallons.

So from then on just one trip to Tractor Supply or whatever, fill up all your smaller bottles at $2.75 / gal

Next time ashore do it again, big supply easy peasy cheap as chips

[robinco]

Originally Posted by grantmc

I'm in New Zealand. Last time I had a tank re-certified for another 10 years I found it was more expensive than buying a new tank. Clearly a business model that wasn't going to work, nor did it. I would doubt there are any firms in that business country wide now. As someone said, gas bottles are now a disposable item.

In New Zealand I've had two 9.5kg (20lbs) re-certified since the start of 2019.

Both expensive aluminium alloy tanks, one done in Auckland by a dive tank tester who also tested gas bottles and the other by a dedicated gas outfit in Blenheim.

Costs were around $29 for re-certification not including gas refill, and $70 including refill.

New aluminium tanks like that would cost me $400 plus per tank.

The economics were clearly on the side of refill, particularly so as one of my tanks is about 29 years old and the other about 15 years, and they both still seem in pretty good condition.

[44'cruisingcat]

Just had two of our galvanised 9kg bottles done.

There's a guy based in Capalaba, Brisbane.

Tested, revalved, date stamped, refilled, AND picked up and delivered to a public dock in Raby Bay.

$45 each.

[44'cruisingcat]

I should also point out a couple of dive shops indicated a willingness to test the bottles. They're all set up for hydrostatic testing anyway and propane bottles are much lower pressure.

[Sailorlady323]

Originally Posted by SVRocinante

Good day all

I’m having trouble finding a vendor to recertify my two propane tanks.
Currently in Cape May and heading North.

Has anyone had their tanks recertified recently?
The last place I called before coming here used to do it, but no longer does...

Thanks for any help offered!

They are full service. Even convert old style to safety openers.

Hocon Gas, Inc.
33 Rockland Road
South Norwalk, CT 06854

Phone: 203-853-1500
Toll Free: 800-801-3835
Fax: 203-854-1243

General Manager: Connie Reccardo
Showroom Manager: Max Gardner

[CelestialMelody]

Techair, formerly Corp Brothers, Niantic Avenue
Providence RI 02907, USA, 0.234.1286
Handles propane etc for most of New England. Recertified my aluminum tanjs

[a64pilot]

I don’t think propane tanks are hydro’d.
Not saying there isn’t one, but I’ve never seen nor heard of a dive shop that does Hydro’s. They all send them out to be done by specialized shops, very specialized.
All dive shops will do a VIP as there is no training and no requirement for one, it’s just a money maker.

[Traga]

I'm in the same situation of needing to have my tank re-certified. Although I've not yet had it do, I spoke with Bay Side Propane in Rock Hall MD and they said they do re-certification. Inspection of the tank and replacement of the valve. Give them a try. There was also a place in Kent Narrows MD that said they would do it but I don't recall their name.


Happy sails,
Al

[Rough Magic]

Had mine done by a dive shop, but it was a while back.

[Offshore1960]

If you get up as far as Southern New England, New Bedford welding supply in New Bedford mass can do that for you no problem.

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by Traga

I'm in the same situation of needing to have my tank re-certified. Although I've not yet had it do, I spoke with Bay Side Propane in Rock Hall MD and they said they do re-certification. Inspection of the tank and replacement of the valve. Give them a try. There was also a place in Kent Narrows MD that said they would do it but I don't recall their name.


Happy sails,
Al

Sugar!
We were in Rock Hall just a bit over a week ago!

Oh well, worst case scenario we’ll do it there in the fall on our way south.

Thanks!