If I had a 100lb cylinder laying on it's side...?

[Reynolds]

I had my two empty 100lb cylinders laying on their sides for the past few months, should they still be alright to use? I have heard some people say that if you lay them on their side you can damage the valve. Does the same hold true for an empty cylinder? I would assume they would be alright. Figured it better to ask and than assume.

[PierBridge]

Stand them back up for 12 Hours so the Freon drains back to the bottom of the compressor......wait a minute thats for Refrigerators sorry.

Empty you'll be fine....

Interesting on the Gas valve never heard of that.

[Whoaru99]

Maybe that part about the valve being damaged is with respect to the new-style tanks that have the OPD or what ever it's called.

[Jeremy airjer W]

100lb'ers not a big deal except you leve the valve more vulnerable to being damaged. Like somebody mentioned if it has any liquid in it (in order for the pressure relief valve to function properly) or any time really, its best to have it secured upright.

We have noticed quite a few 20 lb tanks where not filling. After a while we noticed a trend that these tanks where taken out of the vehicle after being transported on there side. "dropping" the tank (litterally hold it upright and smack it on the ground) would allow the propane to again flow into the tank. The conclusion that I came up with was that these cylinders where being transported on there side allowing the liquid propane to constantly slosh up against the float for the OPD device. If this float sticks in the up position it will not allow the tank to be refilled. The sloshing in theory could also ruin the calibration of the device. Allowing more or less propane into the tank before the OPD device enables itself.

I've also encountered the EFD tripping while filling. This is a different problem. Initially you will hear the flow of propane into the tank and then it suddenly stops. Turning off the valve and waiting for a little bit will reset this and everything is fine.

[delcecchi]

When did they start putting OPDs on 100 lb cylinders? I have only seen them on 20's.

[Bart]

OPD valves are not required on 100 lb cylinders. The reason tanks should be in the upright position is so that the pressure relief valve in the vapor portion of the tank. When the tank is laying down there could be liquid propane in contact with the relief valve and it would not function properly in case of fire. They function properly as soon as tanks are in the upright position.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Anything over 40 lbs does not require an OPD valve. I did forget to mention the intent of my post which has now been edited.