[A/S] RE: OPD Valves

["William Moore" <wnmoore@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've been following with interest the thread about putting OPD valves in
aluminum tanks with remote readouts, and think I may have something to
contribute.

I have a 34 foot 1989 Excella which has aluminum 30 gallon tanks with remote
readout sensors separate from the valves.  They are manufactured by
Worthington Corporation for Airstream.  The sensors are mounted in a boss
just below and to the side of the valve.  A wire hooks to a terminal on the
boss, giving the remote readout capability on the control panel.  Since the
tanks were due for requalification and I needed to change the valves, I took
them to several propane dealers who looked at them and scratched their
heads, wondering how to put in the new valves so they would co-exist with
the existing sensors.  Both have floats inside the tank. I did some research
on this on the internet, and talked to two people in the industry trying to
find out the proper way to replace the valves on the Airstream Trailer tanks
with remote readout devices installed in the tanks.

I found an OPD valve with a float which operates vertically, in line with
the body of the valve. Most OPD valves have a float which extends out from
the body of the valve.   I talked to an engineer at Worthington  who said
that either type of valve could work, but that the type with an extended
float could possibly strike the remote readout device during installation,
but, once in place, would cause no interference.  The one with the in line
float would cause no interference in installation or service.

The valve with the in line float is manufactured by Sherwood and the proper
one for 30# aluminum tanks is Part Number 3349PLG6.0.  Other sizes of
aluminum tanks and steel tanks require different valve part numbers.  They
are available from distributors, but must be ordered and installed by
propane retailers.

I had my tanks recertified and the valves replaced with the Sherwood in line
type OPD valves at Ferrellgas. They charged me $18.35 for the valve and $10
for installing the new valve and recertifying the tank.

Apparently, one reason I had difficulty getting this done is that the in
line valves were in short supply until recently.  They are now widely
available  Anyway, I’m all set to go now, and the above may be of interest
to others.

Nate  Moore