Hi Mark

Why won't they fill it?  Vehicle mounted propane tanks manufactured
before 1998 are exempted from OPD legislation.

I found the following helpful and relevant info on the National
Propane Gas Association Website:
http://www.npga.org/files/public/Consumers_Questions.pdf)

> The 2001 edition of NFPA 58 (the LP-Gas Code) recognizes that
> horizontally
> oriented cylinders that were manufactured prior to October 1, 1998,
> are unable to
> be retrofitted with the OPD's.  As a result of this fact, the Code
> now exempts these
> cylinders from having to be retrofit with OPD valves.  Any such
> cylinder must have
> a label affixed to it to inform the user and the refiller that an
> OPD valve is not
> installed.   (Note:  This provision was not contained in the 1998
> edition of NFPA 58.)

Maybe you should contact them for some pamphlets you can share with
your friendly local propane vendor.
http://www.npga.org

Happy trails,

Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1973/74/79 Westfakia Conversion **Bob the Tomato**  LY3H
1977 Sunroof Automatic L63H/L90D
http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
http://www.busesofthecorn.com

On 20-Mar-06, at 7:57 PM, Mark A. Kreuzer wrote:

> I wire brushed mine, used a rust converter then painted it with white
> rustoleum.  It turned out fine.  Now, if I could get the propane
> nazis to
> fill it.
>
> Side note: I thought my tank was empty only to find out later it
> was not.  I
> had it suspended from a small chain about 3 feet off the ground
> while I
> painted it.  Would have probably been a big Boom.
>
>
> -- mark
> 85' Westy - The Kenny Huang
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of
> robert shawn feller
> Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:34 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: propane tank R&R, comments needed...
>
> So I pulled the interior out of my 86 Westy and am officially
> staring the
> restoration now that we have spring like weather in Ohio. Along
> with the
> interior coming out I've dropped the propane tank. It seems very
> solid but
> has external rust. Anyone sandblast these and paint, or do you
> recommend
> just a wire wheel/brush and POR-15 (or equivalent) and before all
> you worry
> warts jump in the tank IS empty!
>
> Link of 3 photos:
> http://carboncow.net/php/gallery/view_album.php?
> set_albumName=propane_tank_s
> tuff
>
> Even knowing it's rather rusty all valves turned and parts came off
> easy. I
> need someone to tell me what the three items are, what the additional
> "stuff" are on each valve and any other comments in the following
> photos:
>
> 1.      Gas Manifold: I'm rather curious to what the square part in
> the
> middle does? There is some type of vent below the larger cylinder
> that has a
> plastic cap. Obviously this manifold splits the lines between
> fridge and
> stove, but I'm unsure what the gizmo in the middle does.
> 2.      Gas Exit: This handle is beat up a bit but seams to turn
> easily now.
> What is the protrusion to the right?
> 3.      Fill Assembly: The rusted label below claims this is an
> upgraded
> safety fill valve. I'm curious to how this operates and what the
> "button"
> under the left dust cap does. Is this in fact a safe and
> standardized fill
> valve or do I need another?
>
> Regrettably after removing all the interior items I found sever
> predictable
> behind the fridge rust from the leak at the hook ups and fiberglass
> insulation. The entire cross member on that side was rusted through
> and
> needed removed. Additionally it has caused rust down below that is
> getting
> under the lower seam and there is some swelling at the seam where
> the floor
> meets the port wall. I'm curious if anyone has a good write up about
> repairing this vs. cleaning and por-15. I'll need a new piece of
> sheet metal
> under the hookups but the lower seams may not be that bad.
>
> Shawn
> Ohio
> http://vanagon.carboncow.net <http://vanagon.carboncow.net/>
>
>