- Action: To Do List item A0138 - Obtain replacement LPG tanks.
- Completed: 1 August 2017
- Cost: $717.13
The reason to replace the two existing LPG tanks on Indra was their manufacture date of August 2002 had exceeded New Zealand's 10-year mandatory recertification requirement, the LPG tanks were made to specification MK 231/85 that Worksafe New Zealand had rescinded in March 2004, one LPG tank valve triangular handle broke off due to corrosion, and one LPG tank valve was stuck closed and could not be refilled in the Philippines.
The existing LPG tank strap/mount installation was designed to only support a tank with a 256mm or 10 inch diameter - searches on the internet revealed only one LPG tank with this diameter but it was shorter in height and also had less LPG storage capacity. Researched steel, composite, and aluminum LPG tanks and opted for aluminum material. To use and modify the existing tank mount installation a tank with a full length consistent diameter was needed - most US made tanks had a smaller diameter collar for its base which ruled them out. Decided to purchase two aluminum 10kg LPG tanks from Discount Marine in New Zealand and they cost US $467.12, with shipping of US $238.95, and Philippines Postal fee of US $2.24. These tanks were ordered 20 July 2017 and received 1 August 2017. These LPG tanks were made by the company Aluminiumarugyar and imported into New Zealand by Absolute Marine. The LPG tanks were designated type 529.146 with New Zealand Lab approval of 2051, with Australian Approval number of Q22080, and manufactured to specification EN 12862.
LPG Tank Type 529.146 Specifications:
Diameter: 298mm / 11.73 inches
Height: 545mm / 21.49 inches
LPG Capacity: 10kg / 22 pounds
LPG (approx.): 19L / 5 gallons
Test Pressure (bar): 33MPa
TW (Tare Weight): 7.1kg / 15.65 pounds
WC (Water Capacity): 22.6Kg / 49.82 pounds
EW (Empty Weight): 6.75Kg / 14.88 pounds
Specification: EN 12862
New Zealand LAB: 2051
Australian Approval: Q22080
The LPG tank serial numbers were 662 and 666, both with manufacture date of August 2015 - added August 2025 for next LPG tank recertification date to our master tracking list of Due Dates. Both LPG tanks had a Overfill Prevention Device (OPD) valve installed that stops the tank from being overfilled automatically by shutting the valve when the propane level reaches a certain point. It also prevents propane from leaving the tank when the nozzle is opened and its not hooked up to anything. This OPD valve limits tank capacity to approximately 80% - so the following computations indicate a more realistic expectation of LPG capacity - WC 22.6KG = 49.82lbs divided by 8.34 lbs per gallon of water = 5.97 gallons (22.6L) times 80% capacity = 4.78 gallons (18.1L) times propane weight about 4.24lbs per gallon = 20.27lbs (9.19KG) of propane.
These new tanks had no markings to identify them as LPG tanks. Research on the internet provided the answer to LPG tank marking requirements/regulations and cylinder shoulder labels for Class 2 Flammable Gas like the one below were ordered.
Added to the To Do List:
- A0211 – Modify existing LPG tank strap/mount installation to support a tank with a 298mm or 11.73 inch diameter.
- B0212 - Make two LPG tank protective covers out of Sunbrella material.
- B0213 - Engrave and stencil SV DOVE USCG COD 600692 on both LPG tanks.
- A0224 - Order and install LPG tank warning/safety labels.
