New Vs Old Propane Tank Valve

Pol valves are the oldest standard for propane tank connections and newer types are more widely used.

New vs old propane tank valve. This is an important safety measure. It is true that the new valves have both male and female threads. The next refinement of propane tank connections comes in the acme valve. Replacing a tank valve with an opd valve can be done at home.

For the consumer there is little difference between an acme valve and an opd valve. The real difference is that the new tank valves have both a tipover protector and an overfill protector. When the level of liquid propane reaches the limit the float rises and the valve closes. Older propane cylinders won t have one but that needn t mean replacing the entire tank at high cost.

Any new cylinder should come with an opd valve installed. With out the overfill protection they will not or should not fill it. It is possible to convert a tank to the new valve but you will need to have the tank re certified before it can be refilled. Pol valves allow the release of gas without anything connected to it.

Since april 2002 propane tanks without opd valves cannot be refilled. Tanks with the older acme valves are legal to use and transport but only those with opd valves can be legally filled. A plug is screwed into the propane valve for transporting or storing the tank. The opd valve incorporates a safety feature that prevents overfilling the cylinder.

It is not true that you can have an old style tank refilled.