Can a propane tank be repurposed?

   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #21  
How about, put a valve stem on your tank of choice and recharge it with a small hand held air compressor. Most of those have a built in gage and are battery operated.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #22  
LouNY said:
According to the national standards publication NFPA58, a propane tank with 20 pounds (5 Gal) of gas at 70°F would have a pressure of 145 psi; at 90°F
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Actually doesn't matter the size. Any time any quantity of liquid propane is present at 90°F the pressure will be about 145 PSI. Increase the pressure and some of the gas will go back into liquid dropping the pressure. Decrease the pressure and some of the liquid will boil into gas restoring the pressure.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #23  
Eagle1 said:
All this worry yet how many put 120 PSI in a 50 year old portable air tank? Who changes their air compressor tank every 10 years? The stresses are same, just air is not flammable.
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The 12 year (not 10) inspection regulation originates with DOT. "A propane tank which is transported." It can be reinspected for another 5 years. Many places that fill 20# propane bottles will not inspect, Costco for example. When 20# bottles cost $20 it used to cost $10 for an inspection. Haven't found a propane shop that will inspect since the COVID insanity.

Stationary propane tanks are supposed to be checked when filled, but the buried tanks are pretty hard to check for anything but leaks.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #24  
Point was that folks are worried about leaks and inspections. Well we are talking AIR not propane. I understand those requirements for transporting propane but a flushed propane tank with air under pressure is not the same. Same folk that worry will dump 120 PSI+ into a tank older than they are with out a thought. I have one older than me, works great no reason to retire it after 60+ years.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #25  
W8BYA said:
I will admit to my total ignorance when it comes to pressurized storage containers and could use some help. I have had no luck trying to find answers to most of my questions on the net.

Here is an idea I have had for years and wondering if it can be safely pulled off. The goal would be to have a pressurized utility sprayer that I can carry around with me for spraying roundup etc. I am tired of pumping my 2-3 gallon sprayer every several minutes. I have a 5-gallon backpack model but once full I have a hard time getting it on/off by myself and it hurts my lower back as I walk around my 6 acres. I like the idea of a smaller, pressurized, hand held 2-3 gallon sprayer. I know they make battery powered units but I like to experiment & was wondering if an empty propane tank be repurposed (refilled with air) to provide the 10 PSI that I need? I do not think the high pressure paint-ball tanks is what I want as they are thousands of PSI and expensive.

I have long wanted to take an empty (small torch sized) 1-pound propane tank and refill it with air via my shop air compressor and try out my idea. I would attach a regulator to knock down the high pressure air down to ~10 PSI.

My 1st & most important question is what PSI can these small 1-pound propane tanks hold safely? The last thing I would want is to set my shop compressor too high & have a catastrophic failure due to too much pressure while refilling it. The next question would be where can I get a low-pressure regulator with a gauge so I can dial in the PSI into my 2-3 gallon sprayer.
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Be safe and buy one of these. Strap it to your bucket, pallet forks, or 3ph mounted carryall. Buy a deep cycle battery and you’re good to go.

 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #27  
Doubt that it's a recommended use, but last week I used a DeWalt 20V pressure washer to spray Liquid Sevin where I couldn't reach the height needed with the regular sprayers. Made up a short hose with the strainer on the end to drop into a 2-1/2 gallon jug. The blue sleeve is part of an old broom handle to keep the strainer from floating up. Used the 0 degree tip from my real pressure washer.

Real long story about the Japanese beetles and our linden tree, but the systemic pesticides weren't working. One time I did fab a long extension for the regular garden sprayer. Another time I made up a pressurized tank from an empty R22 tank. Once I borrowed a bucket truck. This is by far the easiest method. A good still morning and you're in business.

I bought the little DeWalt "pressure washer" (quotes because 550# doesn't qualify as a real one) to do the Kubota in Winter after travelling on the salted roads. Much easier to fill a 5 gallon bucket and use it than to drag frozen hoses around. A local hardware store had the complete kit for $99. That's like buying a battery and getting the rest for free.

20V MAX* 550 psi Cordless Power Cleaner Kit | DEWALT

For portable cleaning on the jobsite or at home with 10X the cleaning power of a garden hose, the DEWALT 20V MAX* Power Cleaner is the ideal choice. This versatile tool can draw from any fresh water source with an included suction hose for when a garden hose is not easily accessible. The power...
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   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #29  
jyoutz said:
Battery powered hand sprayer

www.harborfreight.com

20V Lithium-Ion Cordless 1 Gallon Chemical Sprayer - Tool Only

Amazing deals on this 20V Cordless 1 Gal Chemical Sprayer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
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I wonder how well these types of rechargeable speakers work and how much extra weight is involved compared to a pump tank sprayer?

I also find backpack speakers too heavy. Went back to normal pump sprayer. Would never pressurize with air compressor. Not just safety. Would seem impractical in terms of run time even if you used an air tank designed for holding pressurized air and then it would be too heavy to carry for long.

I suspect that leads to a discussion whether a rechargeable sprsyer is really that better than a pump sorayer when it comes to run time and weight?
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #30  
W8BYA said:
Awesome that you referenced a standard. Thank you. Do you by chance know the PSI for a standard 1-pound tank?
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We made bead cheaters that pop tires on the rim. Old propane bottles. 150 psi all day long.
The little bottles have a relief on them. When you fill them, it sprays out when full. So how can you over pressure that?
 
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