New Vs Old Propane Tank Valve

For the consumer there is little difference between an acme valve and an opd valve.

New vs old propane tank valve.

Tanks with the older acme valves are legal to use and transport but only those with opd valves can be legally filled. This is an important safety measure. The opd valve incorporates a safety feature that prevents overfilling the cylinder. Since april 2002 propane tanks without opd valves cannot be refilled.

The next refinement of propane tank connections comes in the acme valve. All propane gas cylinders under 40 lbs require an opd or an overfill protection device. Any new cylinder should come with an opd valve installed. Older propane cylinders won t have one but that needn t mean replacing the entire tank at high cost.

It is true that the new valves have both male and female threads. Pol valves allow the release of gas without anything connected to it. A plug is screwed into the propane valve for transporting or storing the tank. The real difference is that the new tank valves have both a tipover protector and an overfill protector.

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. Replacing a tank valve with an opd valve can be done at home. This prevents more propane from being added to the tank. When the level of liquid propane reaches the limit the float rises and the valve closes.

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