Can a propane tank be repurposed?

   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #31  
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?
Kinda like battery grease guns. Alls fine until the battery goes dead.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #32  
We made bead cheaters that pop tires on the rim. Old propane bottles
Just made my day, have toying with ideas for while. Mostly free and functional.....
Another project on the list.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #33  
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
You won't have to worry about that. Most single stage shop compressors won't go past 180psi, and that won't pop any of the common types of metal tanks.. that are in good condition.

But that's the thing about tanks.. you never know what they look like on the inside (unless you look). When you pressurize air, you condense the moisture that was suspended in the air back into a liquid, which settles at the bottom of the tank. This is why actual air tanks (made for air) have a drain on bottom. That part of the tank will tend to rust, which means getting thinner and thinner, unevenly (which causes stress risers, or places a crack is likely to form), until it eventually splits.

You can't easily tell from the outside how damaged a tank might be on the inside. That's why people use date codes as a shorthand for tank safety even though it MIGHT not mean a darn thing about actual tank condition. It's just less likely that a newer tank has had time to develop a serious problem.

Back in the day, Mythbusters taught me that a 3 liter soda bottle will hold ~75 psi! I remember being really surprised to learn that.

Another use for LARGE old tanks.. DIY round back tractor buckets! But cutting on an old propane tank will rouse up a new mob of concerned internet citizens with safety advice. :LOL:
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #34  
I use backpack a lot.

I modified the padded shoulder straps to lock in size for me...

Used pop-rivet with washers.

Also have the perfect retaining wall height to put it on and in a pinch the large Waste Management tote height work for me.

Also give it a few pumps before putting on to pressurize seating the check valve
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #35  
But that's the thing about tanks.. you never know what they look like on the inside (unless you look).
Hence my comment about air tanks. Nobody looks but are willing to dump air into them, yet we panic about the reuse of propane tanks. My oxy and acetylene tanks get inspected and tested due content and pressure, my air tanks will most likely leak before massive failure occurs. I drain my tanks a few times a year to remove moisture but I'm sure it is not enough.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #36  
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.
W8BYA,

All pressure vessels have a rated lifetime for a reason, to keep people safe from Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly ( thank you Elon Musk ). There is a date stamped on the side of the 20+ Lb propane cylinders and pressurized air storage tanks to prevent it from being refilled after that date and the 1 Lb bottles are built for single use/ single fill only. That is also why the connection on 20+ Lb bottles has been periodically changed to prevent the continued use of older cylinders.

HF does make a connection that would allow you to fill a 1 Lb bottle but you are playing with a hand grenade that may or may not go off. Air pressure tanks have a valve to remove ( blow off ) water that accumulates so as not to compromise the tank by causing internal pitting/ rusting. 1 Lb cylinders have no means of getting rid of water.

Here is propane vapor pressure graph ( log scale ) but I have no idea what the schrader pressure relief valve on top of the 1 Lb bottle is rated for.



1657041716748.png


Here is a possible non exploding solution

1657042120950.png
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #37  
Awesome that you referenced a standard. Thank you. Do you by chance know the PSI for a standard 1-pound tank?
The psi of the propane is not dependent on the tank size. The psi is function of the contained liquid and its vapor pressure. See graph I just posted.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #38  
If you are trying to make a small, lightweight, tank to carry you can use PVC pipe. Keep the pressure below 150 psi and you will not have any issues with failure. The one caveat to PVC is it gets brittle with age and can fail. I'd replace the tank every few years to prevent that.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #39  
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?
The battery used for the sprayer is pretty light. It’s the same battery I use for my HF hedge trimmer.
 
   / Can a propane tank be repurposed? #40  
If you are trying to make a small, lightweight, tank to carry you can use PVC pipe. Keep the pressure below 150 psi and you will not have any issues with failure. The one caveat to PVC is it gets brittle with age and can fail. I'd replace the tank every few years to prevent that.
You will get someone hurt or killed with that idea. Very stupid idea. Don’t do it.
 
 
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