Date:         Wed, 18 Oct 2000 15:14:20 -0400
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Subject:      Re: propane tank issues
Comments: To: "Karl F. Bloss" <bloss@ENTER.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <200010181741.e9IHfYl56833@mail2.enter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> The '85 Westy we just bought has a propane tank that's pretty rusty on the
> outside. ...
> I can just run with it, but my wife has safety concerns.  Also, I
> don't want to
> get stuck not being able to get gas when on a longer trip (planned for
> November).  I can do the sandblasting and painting myself (on an
> empty tank, of course), but not the recert.
> I know the Bus Depot has tanks for $220.  Ron, are these
> recertified, new, or just used in unknown condition?


My tanks are brand new, original equipment.  They are identical to the tanks
used on '86-91 Westies. (Not sure what the difference was on '80-85 but
apparantly it was very minor; many have bought my tank for earlier Westies
and had no problems.)  The only difference is that it uses a standard fill
valve in place of the incredibly-expensive-and-no-longer-available Autostop
valve used on the original.  The tanks are made to order and usually take a
few weeks.  (I try to have one on hand at any given time for immediate
shipment but presently do not.)

You might want to bring your tank to Shaner's Propane in Sanatoga (near
Pottstown, PA., just off route 422).  Deal only with Shaner himself; he's
usually there mornings. He seems to know propane tanks very well, he repairs
them on the premises, and I personally would trust him to accurately assess
whether your tank is still good or due for replacement. Not sure if he can
recertify them, although I actually have never had anyone look for the
sticker when filling my tank.

Incidentally, I would recommend that all Westy owners whose tanks are in
unknown condition (i.e. when buying a used Westy) have someone like Shaner
check over their tank.  Potential failures can be dangerous, as propane is
highly explosive.  Shaner discovered, when he checked out my tank for the
first time, that the relief valve had clogged and someone had grossly
overfilled the tank.  The internal pressure was far beyond the safe level,
and a disaster could have resulted if he had not discovered the problem, and
bled down and repaired the tank.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus DepotŪ, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215) 234-VWVW

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