While we are on this subject I have a question regarding my
LP tank on my 83.5 Westy.

I believe my LP tank was filled with LP only once despite it is
26 years old. The PO filled it within the first 3 months after
he bought the Westy new. The LP has never been used up. I have
taken over the Westy for more than a decade and I used it only
a few times. There is still some unknown amount of it remaining 
in the tank.

What should I do if I intend to use it more seriously? I don't
suppose that I should simply fill it up again and assume everything
will be fine. I really know nothing about this stuff. 

The Westy has lived all its life in California and there is hardly
any rust anywhere on the chassis, including the LP tank. I did
once light up the fridge and ran it for a good 8 hours or so. 
The fridge was only a little cooler, not impressive to me. This was
probably 10 years ago. I also fired up one of the cooker maybe
5 years ago to see that it still worked. 

I am wondering if I am carrying a time bomb on my Westy. What should
I do about it? Thanks, guys.

David

--- On Wed, 6/10/09, David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET> wrote:

> From: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
> Subject: Re: LP Regulator Life Expectancy?-be careful!
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 10:14 AM
> At 12:41 PM 6/10/2009, neil N wrote:
> >How does the average DIY home owner type guy pressure
> test it? Air compressor?
> 
> NO!� Use water for a pressure test; that way if the
> tank fails you
> won't have a sudden release of stored-up energy (aka
> explosion) with
> pieces of tank parting your hair.� But in general I
> suspect that the
> average DIY home owner type guy would take it to a
> pro.� I'd start by
> talking to the local welding-gas outfit -- they may offer
> that
> service since they deal every day with high-pressure tanks
> that need
> certifying.
> 
> 
> � --
> David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
> '89 Po' White Star "Scamp"
>