Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Topic: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion (Read 3297 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #50 – August 05, 2017, 11:35:54 am

I find it hard to believe you cant mount a slightly smaller one in the space. I know mine isnt the same as yours, but i do have about 10x more propane than I need. I think my tank holds like 70 gallons... i think 20 would be more than enough, even for our four day trip tailgating at the Bills stadium in a blizzard.

If you do proceed with welding, look for a welding school. There is one local to me that loves oddball jobs they can incorporate into classroom lessons. A pressure vessel that contains a flammable substance could surely make a good lesson on how to do it right.... the instructors at the local one know their stuff and always did good work.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #51 – August 05, 2017, 11:54:17 am

Split and merged Dan's discussion from multiple topics into this one to keep the story together

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #52 – August 05, 2017, 12:10:49 pm

Check with mantank.com they have ASME tanks for motorhomes.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #53 – August 05, 2017, 02:23:15 pm

I have had excellent luck with jb weld or the equivalent for steel.

No experience with its use on a propane tank

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #54 – August 05, 2017, 06:12:11 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – August 05, 2017, 02:23:15 pm

I have had excellent luck with jb weld or the equivalent for steel.

No experience with its use on a propane tank

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #55 – August 05, 2017, 06:14:34 pm

Everyone at MOT indicates JBWeld will not handle pressure over time. My first thought. Will keep u posted as to how this turns out.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #56 – August 05, 2017, 06:24:47 pm

There is a steel product. Internet search. Jb weld finally dissolves in gasoline.

Other products may not

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #57 – August 05, 2017, 06:56:49 pm

While I am a big fan of JB Weld, I would not even consider using JB Weld on a propane tank.

Tank pressure can run over 200 PSI.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #58 – August 05, 2017, 08:56:04 pm

I'm curious - the replacement new tank was about $650, wasn't it? I don't know how much is being quoted as the price for a repair welding, but $650 seems a small investment for a new, nown-good, SAFE propane tank...

I am not trying to be snarky. There are just some things (like safety) I just won't mess with...

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #59 – August 05, 2017, 09:08:26 pm

Reply #48 they don't make the tank any more.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #60 – August 05, 2017, 11:45:02 pm

A competent welder can fix this without risk. I know one who does pipeline hot taps....welding tees onto high pressure in service pipelines. It's all in the procedure. He is paid well, per tap, and treated with respect.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #61 – August 06, 2017, 08:26:00 am

Try these people
ASME RV Tanks - Worthington Industries

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #62 – August 06, 2017, 08:34:39 am

Quote from: craneman – August 05, 2017, 09:08:26 pm

Reply #48 they don't make the tank any more.

Thanks - I missed that (it was hard for me to follow the situation when it was in 4 separate topics

)

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #63 – August 06, 2017, 09:49:56 am

Quote from: Chuck Pearson – August 05, 2017, 11:45:02 pm

A competent welder can fix this without risk. I know one who does pipeline hot taps....welding tees onto high pressure in service pipelines. It's all in the procedure. He is paid well, per tap, and treated with respect.

You got to be good, DAMN GOOD! A welder friend of mine was killed fooling with that stuff.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #64 – August 06, 2017, 10:13:36 am

Quote from: mike leary – August 06, 2017, 09:49:56 am

You got to be good, DAMN GOOD! A welder friend of mine was killed fooling with that stuff.

True, without a doubt. Competence and knowledge is key. To strike an arc on this tank without proper prep and procedure could be disastrous.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #65 – August 06, 2017, 10:31:39 am

I am not a certified welder, but this tank holds 175 psi. no leaks, stick welded 7018 rod. It is smaller but the procedure would be the same. Fill with water, remove water, add dry ice add, small amount of water, put weld area to the top with tank opened up wait 5 min. then with torch put flame at opening to make sure no gas present. This is done with all ports opened up. If gas was present it would not blow the tank up it would "bark" out the hole. The picture is in the post below.
This information is how I have welded gas tanks and diesel tanks. On the propane tank all I did was open it up overnight and put a torch near the opening then welded.

Good Sam Needs This Guy!!

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #66 – August 06, 2017, 10:35:44 am

No tanks available with fill and gauges on end. To build one is 6 to 7 weeks out and by the time available for install would be too expensive over $2000. Only need for furnaces. Just another reason to have aqua hot. Will keep u up dated should wrap up this next week. Found welder.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #67 – August 08, 2017, 06:19:07 pm

I don't know much, but my local propane distributor says NEVER weld a propane tank! The tank needs to be open to air for 6 months before any such repair should be attempted--- even then, he says it could not be re-certified. Buy a new or used tank.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #68 – August 08, 2017, 08:07:19 pm

Don't doubt that he's sincire but they build the tank by welding it together to begin with,like I said ona previuos post you can
get the tank X-rayed and hydro tested and go from there,the gas pipng across the country looks like a road map and these pipes
carry gas at 1200 psi and are welded all the time and then x-rayed on location.You can wash the tank out and not wait 6 months
to repair,what could possibly happen after 6 months to the metal in the tank?

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #69 – August 08, 2017, 08:20:44 pm

Quote from: Kemahjohn – August 08, 2017, 06:19:07 pm

... my local propane distributor says ... it could not be re-certified.

Do the propane tanks in our coaches require periodic re-certification?

-Mike-

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #70 – August 08, 2017, 10:38:27 pm

Not that I know of,had mine filled in Alaska,no problem.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #71 – August 08, 2017, 11:07:07 pm

Our ASME Tank Repair Services
Propane Tank Recertification - How to Check Your LP/Gas Tank

Believe all Foretravels use ASME certified tanks and not DOT tanks. This company will make or repair ASME tanks. ASME tanks do not require recertification, DOT tanks do. DOT tanks are like the ones you buy at Home Depot.
If you need repairs on your tank like the op, you might call tankfab and ask if they know a local guy that can do it. It can be done.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #72 – August 09, 2017, 12:21:54 am

Quote from: Kemahjohn – August 08, 2017, 06:19:07 pm

I don't know much, but my local propane distributor says NEVER weld a propane tank! The tank needs to be open to air for 6 months before any such repair should be attempted--- even then, he says it could not be re-certified. Buy a new or used tank.

A CYA statement, that his insurance company may require him to state to Joe blow. Facts go back to the fire/explosion triangle with a few exceptions. Fire triangle requires all three elements, fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source to be present in sufficient quantities. Eleminate one element and it doesn't progress. Tank can be purged, inert gas saturated to remove or minimize or dilute any oxygen pockets. After this is safe to weld because all fuel gases operate in a realitivly narrow oxygen to fuel ratio. To Rich, or too lean eqauls extremley poor combustion. Sometimes natural gas lines are "hot tapped" with gas flowing under pressure using a cutting torch to burn a hole in the "live" pipe after a O Let fitting is welded in place on the "live" line. Certified pressure vessel welder then stamps his code on the weld in your propane tank repair, Whether or not it requires any x-ray or any other inspection is doubtful.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #73 – August 09, 2017, 08:37:04 am

Welder has filled with water and drained. Filled with argon gas. This is an inert gas.
Must sit overnight. Ready to weld today.

Re: Propane tank leak - replacement/welding discussion

Reply #74 – August 09, 2017, 09:16:04 am

Dan - good deal, sounds like you found an experienced certified welder, and not your typical repair shop swapper. Sometimes you have to use the real professionals, and then you can appreciate their true value.

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