Propane woes

[Peregrine1983]

Hi All,

My 6 lb tanks a one year out of recertification, so I can't get them filled, and I can't find anyone up here in coastal Maine to re-certify them.

I plan to hook a standard BBQ grill tank to my system so that we can keep cruising, however the fittings are different.

My boat has male left-handed POL fittings on the end of the hoses going to the pigtail and regulator (see pics).

What adapter would I need to get these to fit a standard BBQ propane tank and where would I buy it?

Thanks in advance for any help!!

[Peregrine1983]

I don't have a standard BBQ tank, but it looks like the inner female thread on one is the opposite handedness from google images.... but I'm not sure.

[Sailmonkey]

If by standard BBQ tank, you’re referring to the exchange tanks from the hardware store, your existing connector will connect to the inside of the valve.

[Peregrine1983]

That's music to my ears, Sailmonkey. THANK YOU!

[HeywoodJ]

The fitting you have is a "soft-nose" (the o-ring) POL. You're looking to adapt to the 1lb disposable tanks? That is 1"/20 male thread. Home Depot and other carry adapters:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Flame-Ki...B227/314015661

The pictures really show the portable end and the QCC large external thread, but one picture shows the internal thread and the description says it handles POL.

Similar are available at Amazon.

Here's another on the other side of the country, but it may help in searches:

https://www.suremarineservice.com/Ga...rs/G487_3.html

[Edit] well, if SailMonkey is right, yes, the larger exchange tanks will have the standard POL fitting. Assuming they won't fit in your locker, put a piece of cardboard or carpet under them to avoid rust rings on the deck

[ItDepends]

What you have there on you boat are the standard propane fittings on EVERY North American propane tank larger than 5lbs

SOME tanks have the external threads for the hand wheel, but they ALL have those left hand threads inside. I suspect you are seeing the external threads and not understanding that the internal threads are there as well.

[Peregrine1983]

Thank you all. Great news. Going to go grab a tank at a gas station or hardware store.

I was looking at photos of the internal threads on gas station/hardware store tanks and it looked like the handedness was different, but I'm probably wrong.

[BlueH2Obound]

We carry a 30lb aluminum tank on our boat for the galley stove. We also have two regular, BBQ style tanks, one for the BBQ, and backups for the galley stove as well. I agonized over finding an adapter/fitting to use the BBQ tank for the galley stove, and got various opinions at hardware stores, etc, then finally just tried it, and it fits perfectly. I would replace the o-ring on the end of your fittings as well, as yours is looking of old and dried out. Carry spares as well.

[Cheechako]

Just go to the store where they sell exchange tanks. Exchange your tanks for a full one. They don't even care. Their filling source checks and recerts them as necessary before sending them back to the store. A propane guy told me this when my tank was out of certification No questions asked. I did it.
Free and easy. Then just refill your exchange tank when you need to instead of exchanging .
Most of these exchange tanks have both interior and exterior type fittings.

[JimsCAL]

My propane locker also will only hold a small tank. When I had the same problem that it was beyond the certification date and couldn't be refilled, I also couldn't find a place to have them recertified. I ended up just buying a new tank.

[Peregrine1983]

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

My propane locker also will only hold a small tank. When I had the same problem that it was beyond the certification date and couldn't be refilled, I also couldn't find a place to have them recertified. I ended up just buying a new tank.

My thought too, but 6lb tanks seem to be on backorder everywhere. Supply chain woes, I guess.

[JimsCAL]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

My thought too, but 6lb tanks seem to be on backorder everywhere. Supply chain woes, I guess.

Have you tried places like Lowe's or Amazon? Found the tanks I needed at both in the past.

[4arch]

I would keep looking for a place that will recertify. I recently had one of my 10 lb. aluminum tanks recertified at Suburban Propane. Had to drive a bit but the refill and recertify cost a total of $22 compared to more than $200 for a new tank.

[capt jgw]

I've converted three boats to propane now and built the lockers to fit the standard 20# patio tanks just do I could use the exchange systems. There have been times when I needed propane and the refill place was miles away. But there's a gas station across the street with tank exchange. Easy peasy. Yes the tanks do rust, but if you exchange them they're not on the boat long enough to be a problem. You get a new or repainted tank every time.